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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment