Someday I'll understand the science behind the phenomenon that causes all the bands I want to see to to book gigs in Chicago on back to back evenings. Until then, I'll just enjoy one marathon after another of live music at my favorite venues.
After the last 6 weeks have taken me to places like the Vic, Metro and Riviera, I am reminded of why Schubas is my favorite. The music room is perfectly small, and the sound is generally fantastic. After hearing good bands sound terrible in the larger classic venues, I can go to Schubas, where everyone sounds great. Well, maybe not everyone, but almost.
A few months ago, when I noted that Teitur was coming to town, I bought a pair of tickets right away. I'd been pretty much in love with his song "Louie Louie" for about a year. So, after I bought the tickets, I downloaded the rest of the album "Stay Under the Stars" from emusic. And I was a little embarrassed that I'd gotten so excited over him. At first, I kind of thought it sucked. With lyrics like:
"Umbrellas in the rain
Pop up in the windows
Because we’re not together"
And repetition of certain lyrics, seemingly just for repetition's sake, his songs struck me as awkward. It must be strange though, writing songs in a second language. And though he speaks English fluently, the poetry ends up a little askew.
In anycase, most of the album ended up growing on me.. And I downloaded the new single from his new album, and it was okay too...but I still wasn't looking forward to the show. But, apparently Teitur loves Schubas as much as I do, as the new song "Catherin the Waitress" was apparently written about a encounter at the very spot. So, that added an extra element of excitement, and it was an enjoyable little show.
His band was made up of young Nordic men and women grinning, blowing horns, playing xylophones and clapping hands. I think it was exactly what I needed to cure my grumpiness. Later, as my friend Dave and I sat at the bar, the band was drinking up the night's pay, and when Teitur leaned on the bar to order another round, I engaged him in a bit of conversation. Then he made me taste his bandmate's margarita, because he insisted that it tasted "like swimming pool."
The next night, I found myself back at the corner of Belmont and Southport for round two. This time it was Liam Finn and Laura Veirs. Laura was a known factor, and although I still enjoyed it, it wasn't one of her better performances. It was the second show of the night, and you could tell she was pretty tired. I did really like the spare treatment of "Shadow Blues" and for the first time, I listened deliberately to "Spelunking," which I now have a new fondness for. LV showed off her banjo skills on "The Cuckold Hen" and finished up with a couple oldies, ending with one of my favorites, "Blackeyed Susan."
The highlight of the evening though, was my first live taste of the wunderkind offspring of Crowded House frontman, Neil Finn - Liam Finn. I'd been listening to his album "I'll be Lightening" all spring, and was a little worried that he wouldn't do it justice live. But, boy was I wrong. This was rock and roll, and I want more. He played almost every song from the album, and the creative looping, switching intruments, and hopping all over the stage was unpredictable and exciting. And he's got this great versatile voice. It's definitely got some similarities to his pop's, but I think he strethes it a lot more. And, although it took me a while to warm up to her, his sidekick EJ was a nice compliment. He's a pretty young guy - so it will be interesting to see where he goes.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Ape-Rock-Recap
Here is it May 1st, and I find my self at least 3 blog entries behind, 4 if you count the play I went to on Saturday. So, just to make myself feel complete, I'll give some abbreviated commentary on the last week and a half. And I'll try to be better about this stuff in May.
Colin Meloy @ Park West, 21 April
Once again, I enjoyed my relaxing spot in the balcony, but felt a little detached from the action and energy on the floor. Colin holds an audience on the end of a sting, and pulls them along. They'll do anything he says, even if his performance isn't that great. It was a nice show, but I did miss the band. Although he writes the songs, he didn't seem complete without the rest of them. Laura Gibson did a nice little opening set, and I did find the highlight to be Colin and Laura's special duet rendition of Sam Cooke's "Cupid."
Iron & Wine with Califone @ the Vic, 22 April
Wrapping a three night stand, I actually did find myself nodding off a bit during one of the more extended, trancy numbers... luckily, this was when Joe elbowed me to ask me if the drummer had three arms. Both bands were fascinating to watch, and to hear, remodeling songs that had become familiar on their albums into new creatures. But I liked it best when it was just the pair of vocalists - Sam Beam and the woman I believe to be his sister.
Half-handed Cloud @ think/dance collective @ the church that I can see from my doorstep - 24 April
Interestingly enough, Berry United Methodist Church, which sits on the corner of Leavitt and Giddings, is home to the Lincoln Square Arts Center, which presented this little-publicized, but enjoyable low-key event last Thursday. Half-handed Cloud, is John Ringhofer, a normal looking guy, with a squeaky cartoon singing voice, and an endless catalog of tiny little songs. His songs are quirky and fun, and although they're full of christian references, they're mostly of the type you would expect to find in a claymation bible story. The dance group was good too - I forget how much I enjoy that sort of thing. I also feel compelled to mention that I've joined the CSA that delivers to this church on Saturdays, so I suppose in some way or another, it's going to be part of my new life in Lincoln Square, but probably never on Sunday.
And, well, I did see a play on Saturday Night. "Speech and Debate" at the American Theater Company, was a refreshing look at what my life could be if I were in high school RIGHT NOW. Thank goodness we didn't have the internet when I was in high school. We didn't even have caller ID back then, so lonely nerd remained lonely nerds without their blogs and podcasts, but we had a better speech team that the kinds in this show.
It was a unique production - lots of elements of recorded sound and video, made it a little more multi-media than most plays, and a few songs, without it committing to being an actual musical were just right. I have to say though, I did find the very last scene almost too abruptly cliche, and although I had been enjoying it as a completely original story, I almost groaned out loud at Solomon's testing the waters in the gay chat room with the "is anyone out there?" Reminds me that I do need to go to more plays though, so I'm glad my roommate magically produced these tickets. I still owe him $20.
Colin Meloy @ Park West, 21 April
Once again, I enjoyed my relaxing spot in the balcony, but felt a little detached from the action and energy on the floor. Colin holds an audience on the end of a sting, and pulls them along. They'll do anything he says, even if his performance isn't that great. It was a nice show, but I did miss the band. Although he writes the songs, he didn't seem complete without the rest of them. Laura Gibson did a nice little opening set, and I did find the highlight to be Colin and Laura's special duet rendition of Sam Cooke's "Cupid."
Iron & Wine with Califone @ the Vic, 22 April
Wrapping a three night stand, I actually did find myself nodding off a bit during one of the more extended, trancy numbers... luckily, this was when Joe elbowed me to ask me if the drummer had three arms. Both bands were fascinating to watch, and to hear, remodeling songs that had become familiar on their albums into new creatures. But I liked it best when it was just the pair of vocalists - Sam Beam and the woman I believe to be his sister.
Half-handed Cloud @ think/dance collective @ the church that I can see from my doorstep - 24 April
Interestingly enough, Berry United Methodist Church, which sits on the corner of Leavitt and Giddings, is home to the Lincoln Square Arts Center, which presented this little-publicized, but enjoyable low-key event last Thursday. Half-handed Cloud, is John Ringhofer, a normal looking guy, with a squeaky cartoon singing voice, and an endless catalog of tiny little songs. His songs are quirky and fun, and although they're full of christian references, they're mostly of the type you would expect to find in a claymation bible story. The dance group was good too - I forget how much I enjoy that sort of thing. I also feel compelled to mention that I've joined the CSA that delivers to this church on Saturdays, so I suppose in some way or another, it's going to be part of my new life in Lincoln Square, but probably never on Sunday.
And, well, I did see a play on Saturday Night. "Speech and Debate" at the American Theater Company, was a refreshing look at what my life could be if I were in high school RIGHT NOW. Thank goodness we didn't have the internet when I was in high school. We didn't even have caller ID back then, so lonely nerd remained lonely nerds without their blogs and podcasts, but we had a better speech team that the kinds in this show.
It was a unique production - lots of elements of recorded sound and video, made it a little more multi-media than most plays, and a few songs, without it committing to being an actual musical were just right. I have to say though, I did find the very last scene almost too abruptly cliche, and although I had been enjoying it as a completely original story, I almost groaned out loud at Solomon's testing the waters in the gay chat room with the "is anyone out there?" Reminds me that I do need to go to more plays though, so I'm glad my roommate magically produced these tickets. I still owe him $20.
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