Stage Buzz: Crystal Bowersox
Losing on “American Idol” is often a blessing in disguise. For every Taylor Hicks performing in relative obscurity, there’s a Jennifer Hudson bringing down the house at the Academy Awards. Onetime Chicago busker Crystal Bowersox stole hearts in 2010 with her Janis Joplin-like wail, but not enough votes to surpass Mount Prospect’s Lee DeWyze. Now living in Oregon with her hubby (their meet-cute took place at Uncommon Ground on Clark) and son, Bowersox follows her slick post-“Idol” release, Farmer’s Daughter with *All That For This (Shanachie). Produced by Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin, the album lets the earthiness that set Bowersox apart from all the other Mariah wannabes on the Fox juggernaut expand into a surefooted buffet of Americana comfort food. The highlight: A duet with The Wallflowers’ Jakob Dylan on “Stiches” – a tender, sighing mother’s ode. (Listen HERE) The casting of Bowersox as Patsy Cline in a Broadway revival of “Always . . . Patsy Cline” seems predestined after one spin. (Saturday@Arcada Theatre.)
Category: Featured, Stage Buzz, Weekly
