As part of the entertainment for the Human First 2012 Gala, kd lang & The Siss Boom Bang will take to the stage at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St., on Saturday, May 12. The event will celebrate the first five years that The Center on Halsted has been opened and recognize individuals who have contributed to the LGBT community.
The 2011 effort Sing It Loud has lang accompanied by a backing band for the first time in decades. The result is remarkable. "I Confess" and "Perfect Word" show off lang's flawless vocals over mid-tempo Americana music. The remake of "Heaven" by The Talking Heads is simply exceptional. Tickets for the Human First 2012 Gala are available at www.harristheaterchicago.org .
HRC's Americans for Marriage Equality has a new ally, as Jason Mraz issued a video in which he speaks out in favor of same sex marriage.
The "I'm Yours" singer-songwriter has a new album, Love Is a Four Letter Word. "Living in the Moment" has a warm, tropical feel to it, while "Everything Is Sound" has a great horn section. Mraz insists he would help others if he had super powers on "Frank D. Fixer." Once a tour through Asia is completed, Mraz will make a trek stateside ( with Christina Perri ) with a stop at First Midwest Bank Amphitheater, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park, on Saturday, Sept. 15.
There is no sophomore slump with the superb Picture Show by Neon Trees. The set's first single, "Everybody Talks," is catchy as hell and the video captures the B-movie camp quality of the film Psycho Beach Party. Neon Trees shines on the somewhat slower "Trust." On "Teenage Sounds," primary songwriter and lead singer Tyler Glenn brings up his frustrations with those who just want fame. However, he sings of life in the spotlight during the number's second verse: "I'm sick of always operating out of fear / I'm sick of being called a fag because I'm queer."
Glenn has a big voice and a theatrical presence. It is fitting that the quartet's breakthrough hit "Animal" has been redone on Glee. The handsome Glenn resembles a young, waif Perry Farrell in dire need of some Chicago deep-dish pizza.
Legacy Recordings finds a treasure with the Luther Vandross collection Hidden Gems. The 15-track compilation showcases the late artist's smooth voice on romantic ballads like "When You Call on Me ( Baby That's When I Come Runnin' ) " and his cover of "Goin' out of My Head." The highlight of the set is an overlooked duet from 1991, where Vandross is joined by Martha Wash on "I ( Who Have Nothing ) ." The two were at their absolute best vocally when this was recorded. Throughout Hidden Gems, Vandross uses the word "girl." After his death Vandross' friends said he was in the closet, although it was somewhat known within the industry. Hidden Gems is out now.
Regarded as one of the top DJ acts in the world, Above & Beyond will perform at Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave., on Saturday, May 12. Having remixed pop songs into trance masterpieces, such as Madonna's "What It Feels Like for a Girl" and Britney Spears' "Everytime," Above & Beyond has made its own new material as well. Last year's Group Therapy has the British trio reuniting with guest vocalist Zoe Johnston. Here, she adds a celestial sensibility, most notably on "Alchemy." Her angelic voice has graced tracks by Faithless and Delirium.
Let's celebrate Mother's Day with some fantastic works dedicated to the joys and labors behind motherhood. Annie Lennox's son, Daniel, was stillborn during the twilight of her '80s run with Eurythmics. She had her first daughter in 1990 and a second while promoting 1992's Diva. "Precious" has Lennox reveling in the wonders of parenthood. "Precious" dented the charts overseas with "Step by Step" as the B-side. Whitney Houston would turn "Step" into a minor hit on the soundtrack to The Preacher's Wife.
Throughout her career, Sinead O'Connor has translated her maternal ways into her works as heard on "3 Babies," "My Special Child" "This is to Mother You" and "Healing Room." Even when Britney Spears had her public meltdown, O'Connor offered sympathy for the pop star during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying that Spears is not perfect, just like every other parent.
The Celtic siren canceled the remaining dates of her scheduled tour to promote How about I B Me ( And You Be You ) so she can focus on treating her bipolar disorder. O'Connor's terrific take of Cole Porter's "You Do Something to Me" was featured on a recent episode of Vampire Diaries.
Dee Hilligoss' debut single "Too Soon" demonstrates a mother's never-ending encouragement to her child. The country-flavored cut was released in conjunction with Autism Awareness Month, as her son Nicholas has been diagnosed with autism. "Too Soon" is available now and a full-length album is in the works.
Madonna received critical acclaim with 1998's Ray of Light. Here, she has a spiritual awakening, and her life finds new meaning thanks to her daughter, Lourdes. "Little Star" is one of the set's shining moments, dedicated to her newborn. Her latest, MDNA, features "I Don't Give A," which is a tale of the hardships of being a single working mom, although Madonna does not encounter the typical everyday worries.
