Recent Articles
Global Blues – Live!
There was a time when live recordings were considered inferior to studio sessions because of the poor sound quality, the somewhat annoying concentration of applause, and the possibility the artist would turn in a less-than-perfect performance.
Studio Happenings
At ARS STUDIOS in Alsip, Maurice Jackson cut new tracks for his current project. ARS engineer Larry Schara worked with producer Mike Logan to capture Jackson’s performances . . . Mexican/ Duranguense band Herrantes De La Sierra mastered their new album with producer Eric Herrera of ASI Music/EMI Latin and ARS engineer Andy Padayao . […]
Celebrity Helper
“You cannot make friends with the rock stars,” Lester Bangs insists, talking to the budding rock crit in Almost Famous. “They’ll buy you drinks, you’ll meet girls, they’ll try to fly you places for free, offer you drugs. But they are not your friends.”
Rockin’ Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio – Let’s Go!
Few things are more satisfying to the ears than hearing Robyn Hitchcock unveil a new song played live with Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey on free radio, then listening to them explain its context and spin some of their favorite records.
Best Of Gear 2006
In honor of our January ’07 “Best Of” issue, we’ve compiled our favorite pieces of “Gear” from the past year. Gretsch G400JV Archtop Guitar
A Velvety Listen
Let’s call it a comeback. No need to mince words. Colombia’s premiere rock en español group were on a scary path toward losing the essence of their Latin alternative roots.
Local CD Reviews
Prior Ahab Rex CDs have been praised in this column and the latest, Blood On Blonde, earns similar thumbs up (even though they, once again, retread four tracks from an ’04 disc). That leaves six great new tunes that bend the caustic with the sweet, bobbing and weaving from jazzbo to agit/agro and all points […]
Around Hear Page 2
Even when attempting to be melancholy, as on “A Good Fight,” the 11 tracks on Love By Design‘s Let The Outside In are generally optimistic, innocent pop rock numbers. The whimsical, almost childlike, vibe, especially with “Busy Bee,” is likely due to the immaculately produced studio sound and the soothing, harmonizing vocal style. A rich […]
Best Of Around Hear 2006
Each January, we dedicate part of “Around Hear” to those low-profile local artists who are our favorites from the passing year – the results of our staff and freelancers combing clubs and stacks of CDs for more than the booze and adulation we normally receive. This is by no means an attempt to make a […]
Alex Chilton Turns 56
Alex Chilton Birthday Bash Empty Bottle, Chicago Thursday, December 28, 2006 Alex Chilton’s mythical status will confound our humanoid successors when they discover us thousands of years after the thaw, fallout, or flood. His adorers constantly argue why he should be among rock ‘n’ roll’s elite while having to agree the vast majority of his […]
Stay In This New Year’s Eve!
Auld Lange HDTV INHD Network doesn’t really need to provide a lot of reasons to watch “London Live†on New Year’s Eve, what with the state-of-the-art high definition, Dolby 5.1 sound, and 1080i picture and all. But if they are looking for a selling point, we have an easy one: It’s this or Carson Daly […]
Anita Baker Live!
Anita Baker Chicago Theatre, Chicago Saturday, December 09, 2006 When Anita Baker released her comeback CD, My Everything, in 2004, she was slated to perform at the United Center with duet partner Babyface, but the concert was canceled due to undisclosed reasons. A royalty-related lawsuit from Babyface crept into the picture shortly thereafter, but the […]
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Live!
Trans-Siberian Orchestra East Allstate Arena, Rosemont Saturday, December 9, 2006 By the time the second act of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s first Chicagoland show of the Christmas season fired up, audience members were either with them or against them.
Jingle Your Bells Preview
Jingle Your Bells Abbey Pub, Chicago Friday, December 15, 2006 Saturday, December 16, 2006 50 Cent has a new beef. It’s not Nas, The Game, or Ja Rule, though. This time, it’s two pale indie rockers from Chicago.
Jon McLaughlin Preview
Jon McLaughlin House Of Blues, Chicago Friday, December 15, 2006 It’s all happening for singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin. The Billy Joel/Ben Folds-influenced pianist debuts Indiana, his first album for Island Records, early next year and coming this summer he’ll put his Andy Roddick-like good looks to use in Disney’s Enchanted, a mix of animation and live […]
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