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Come Knock On Their Door
Taking a cue from legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Chicago’s Handwritten Recording allows artists to come in for as little as 30 minutes to lay down tracks. Open since April, the Belmont storefront studio caters to musicians who find the “normal” studio setting intimidating.
Carey Bell: 1936-2007
Blues vocalist and harmonica master Carey Bell died of heart failure on May 6th at Kindred Hospital during a visit to Chicago. He was 70. Bell was one of the last of the classic Chicago blues harp players. Steeped in the traditions of Mississippi and Chicago blues, Bell developed a signature harmonica style characterized by […]
Hello, My Name Is Kevin
Hello, My Name Is Kevin This month’s conversationalist is erstwhile IE cover vet Kevin Cronin, who has REO Speedwagon back on the road.
File: May 2007
FREEDOM FRIES “Burger King, look the fuck out!” Such a statement hardly seems like the kind of impassioned declaration you would expect in the midst of rock ‘n’ roll history being made. But then you realize this is no ordinary rock ‘n’ roll history – this is Tom Morello, The Nightwatchman, at the Chicago stop […]
DVD Zone: May 2007
Smokin’ Aces Universal Picture if you will Ocean’s Eleven with a mob hit at the center of the plot instead of a casino heist. Now amp up the gunfire and mayhem, and you get Smokin’ Aces.
Local CD Reviews
The August scored some national buzz in 2005 with a spot on the Aware 11 compilation, though the group leans much closer to country than it does college rock on Thistle, Sparrow, And The Tall, Tall Grass. Female fronted songs such as “Drunken Picture” and “Sugar Mama” recall Nickel Creek or Dolly Parton, though there […]
Around Hear Page 2
Indie rock foursome The Gnomes carry a sound as understated as the title of their sophomore album, The Gnomes II. There’s no showboating or posturing on songs like “Whiskey Is Misery” or “Ho-Chunk Casino” – just sincere and slightly quirky tunes that pull you in with their pleasant undertone. Amid a couple underdeveloped tracks (e.g. […]
Around Hear Page 3
Elmhurst singer-songwriter Dean Milano has been part of The New Seekers and opened for Cab Calloway, but it seems his biggest achievement is his latest CD, Songs About Stuff, which manages to be tuneful, intelligent, sometimes humorous, and well-executed from beginning to end. Milano’s songs are streetwise and smart, a welcome addition to anyone’s collection […]
Rhyming For A Cause
Somali musician K’naan plays a rhythmic stew of hip-hop-influenced poetry that borrows from ancient Somali culture as much as it does from contemporary American influences. A refugee who fled his home at 14, he retains the quiet dignity of his heritage and yet fires lyrics with a swagger that has been compared to Eminem.
Mixmaster, Cut Faster
ALESIS iMultiMix 8 USB Alesis have come up with an impressive addition to their popular MultiMix series, spearheaded by the ingenious iMultiMix 8 USB, which features an iPod mounting dock that records directly to any second-through-fifth generation iPod.
The Return Of Garry Meier
My parents, who divorced in 1972, will never get back together – they’re dead. But now there may be hope for the pioneering radio duo of Steve Dahl and Garry Meier.
Studio Happenings
At ARS STUDIOS in Alsip, local rockers Hunting The Rabbit mastered their album, This Just In, with Larry Schara . . . Gary Cobb has been restoring Stan Kenton masters for re-release on Tantara Productions.
Journey To The Center Of Being
Otis Taylor was a surprise guest at last year’s Chicago Blues Festival. I did not get a chance to hear his performance but had the pleasure of meeting him and his beautiful daughter, Cassie, backstage. I also had the opportunity to listen to a few tunes from Taylor’s then work-in-progress Definition Of A Circle. I […]
Hello, My Name Is Neil
Hello, My Name Is Neil IE: How often do you get the “What’s it like to be Vince Neil’s son?” question? Neil Wharton: I get it all the time. It’s either that or “Vince Neil doesn’t have a son.” I use to get irritated with the second one, but hey, it comes with the territory. […]
File: April 2007
Selling Out Drama DJ Drama busted, Eric Clapton brings his friends to Chicago, Paul McCartney likes his music like his coffee, and the suburbs battle the nightclubs.
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