|
| |
Local Concert Preview for Chicago &
Milwaukee: February 1-7, 2009
First Appeared in The Music Box, February 2009, Volume 16, #2
Written by John Metzger
Mon February 2, 2009, 06:30 AM CST
2/5 - Joe Ely - FitzGerald's - Berwyn, IL - 8:00 p
Prior to hitting the road with his pals in The Flatlanders, Joe Ely will embark upon a
short, acoustic tour, which will stop at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn on February 5.
The Texas–born songwriter is, of course, no stranger to the roadhouse-style
nightclub, which typically has served as his home-away-from-home. Accordionist
Joel Guzman is joining Ely on his current trek, which is designed to support
Live Cactus!, the subdued (but nonetheless potent) concert set they issued
last spring. It’s always interesting to hear how artists choose to reinvent
their work, and this 13-track collection provides both a terrific introduction
to Ely’s canon as well as a solid overview of what fans can expect to hear at
this show. 
2/6 - Galactic - Vic Theatre - Chicago - 8:00 p
There is no doubt that Galactic would be a lot
more prolific if only Stanton Moore wasn’t in such high demand as a session
drummer. Nevertheless, his many side projects have kept the group, which hails
from the funky side of New Orleans-imbued tradition, from running short of
ideas. Initially, it might have seemed as if its latest outing From the
Corner to the Block, which was issued in late 2007, was a dramatic departure
from Galactic’s previous efforts. In reality, though, the outing is a natural
refinement of the band’s sound. The hefty infusion of hip-hop grooves might have
proven difficult to replicate in concert, but Galactic wisely has tapped The
Mighty Underdogs, featuring Gift of Gab, for support on its latest tour, which
stops at the Vic Theatre on February 6.
2/6 - James Cotton Band - Turner Hall Ballroom - Milwaukee, WI - 8:00 p
2/7 - James Cotton Band - Beverly Arts Center - Chicago - 8:00 p
Before venturing out on his own in the late 1960s, James Cotton cut his teeth working
alongside Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin’ Wolf, and, most famously, Muddy Waters.
His profile may have slipped a bit over the past three decades, but there is no
doubt that Cotton’s career is still going strong — a miraculous feat,
considering that he has been touring and performing for 65 years. His age
combined with an array of health issues may have robbed him of his once-powerful
voice, but his skills on harmonica remain first-rate. Cotton will survey his
esteemed canon when he visits Milwaukee’s Turner Hall Ballroom on February 6 and
Chicago’s Beverly Arts Center on February 7.
2/7 - Kathleen Edwards - Old Town School - Chicago - 8:00 p
Last year very well may be remembered as the moment in which Kathleen Edwards finally
escaped comparisons to Lucinda Williams to discover her own voice. Where her
previous efforts were somewhat uneven affairs, Asking for Flowers is a
focused collection of material that emphasizes her strength and maturity as a
songwriter and performer. There is, perhaps, no better venue in the Chicago area
for her to explore the wide-ranging dynamics of the album than the Old Town
School, which makes this concert on February 7 a must-see event for her devoted
fans.
2/7 - Griffin House - Double Door - Chicago - 10:00 p
Fresh from a showcase on the Ten out of Tenn
Christmas tour, Griffin House will return to Chicago on February 7 for a
headlining show at the Double Door. On his latest endeavor Flying Upside Down,
House slips into a comfortable space that frequently recalls the work of Jackson
Browne and Ryan Adams. Whether House can parlay his recent successes into
something sustainable remains to be seen, but considering the strength of his
new material, now certainly is as good a time as any to catch him in concert.
Of Further Interest...
Local Concert Watch for Chicago: February 19-22, 2009
Local Concert Watch for Chicago: February 12-18, 2009
Local Concert Watch for Chicago: January 24-31, 2009
Local Concert Watch for Chicago: January 8-23, 2009
Local Concert Watch for Chicago and Milwaukee: December 19-31, 2008
Copyright © 2009 The Music Box
|
