Tag: Jeff Elbel
Live Review and Galley: Neal Morse Band ⢠Arcada Theatre ⢠St. Charles
The Neal Morse Band The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL February 19, 2022 Review by Jeff Elbel Photos by Luciano J. Bilotti The Neal Morse Band presented a master class in progressive rock on Saturday night, with a hint of laudable grace under pressure as the quintet returned to a faithful audience at the supportive […]
Live Review and Gallery: Jeff Tweedy at Metro ⢠Chicago
Jeff Tweedy Metro, Chicago, IL Thursday, December 23, 2021 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Chicagoâs hottest ticket for rock fans during the holiday season was Thursday nightâs show at Metro. Jeff Tweedy and his band did not disappoint during the second of two concerts, performing a joyful set that brimmed with a sense […]
Spins: Neil Young & Crazy Horse ⢠Barn
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Barn (Reprise) Neil Young collects his trusty, veteran Crazy Horse gang for a freewheeling album that sounds like a joyful weekend getaway among friends in the garage â or in Youngâs case, the restored 19th-century barn. The ambiance is amiable, loose, and natural. The recording draws together an intuitive band […]
Stage Buzz: Review and Photo Gallery ⢠Wilco, Sleater-Kinney at Pritzker Pavillion
Wilco, Sleater-Kinney, NnamdĂŻ Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Chicago, IL Saturday, August 28, 2021 Review by Jeff Elbel Photo Gallery by Curt Baran Saturdayâs performance at Pritzker Pavilion was Wilcoâs first hometown show since December 2019, when the band supported 2019âs Ode to Joy album at the Chicago Theatre. After 20 months of waiting, Jeff […]
Spins: Jeff + Ping ⢠The Threefinger Opera
Jeff Elbel + Ping The Threefinger Opera (Marathon Records) A few years ago, Chicago-area musician Jeff Elbel experienced a crushed nerve ending that denied him the use of two fingers on his left hand. This is bad news for someone who not only fronts his own band, the expansive Jeff Elbel + Ping but sits […]
Stage Buzz: Live Review and Photo Gallery – James Taylor and His All-Star Band and Jackson Browne ⢠United Center
James Taylor and His All-Star Band, Jackson Browne Thursday, July 29, 2021 United Center, Chicago, IL The third timeâs the charm. Originally scheduled for the summer of 2020, the long-anticipated tour by James Taylor and His All-Star Band featuring Jackson Browneâs opening set was bumped to June of this year by the pandemic. Opening […]
Stage Buzz Review and Photo Gallery: Todd Rundgren Clearly Human Livestream from Chicago
Todd Rundgren Clearly Human Virtual Tour Private Venue, Chicago, IL Friday, February 26, 2021 Review by Jeff Elbel Photos by Jim Snyder Celebrated innovator and musical polymath Todd Rundgren is conducting his 25-date âClearly Humanâ tour entirely from an unnamed theater in Chicago. Each show has featured all of the songs from 1989âs Nearly […]
Spins: U2 – “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” ⢠Super Deluxe Vinyl Box Set
U2 All That You Canât Leave Behind Super Deluxe vinyl box set (Island/Interscope/UMe) During the year 2000, U2 was a band on a mission. After the perceived disappointment of 1997âs experimental and techno-friendly Pop (an album that went âmerelyâ platinum in the United States), the Irish quartet were determined to reclaim their signature soundâand with […]
Spins: Tom Petty ⢠Wildflowers & All The Rest Deluxe Edition – Reviewed
Tom Petty Wildflowers & All the Rest Deluxe Edition (Warner Bros.) After seven gold and platinum-selling albums with the Heartbreakers, Tom Petty released his first solo album in 1989.Chart favorites including âFree Fallingâ and âI Wonât Back Downâ helped the Jeff Lynne-produced Full Moon Fevereclipse even the success of 1979âs Damn the Torpedoes. When Into the […]
Stage Buzz: Live Review – The Claudettes at City Winery
City Winery, Chicago, IL Saturday, October 10, 2020 Chicagoâs own The Claudettes are an uncategorizable but captivating blend of cheeky cabaret, gut-level blues, raucous rockabilly, cartoonish whimsy, and pop songcraft. 2020 was initially primed to be the bandâs year, with the release of its most highly-praised set of songs. High Times in the Dark arrived in April […]
Spins: Paul McCartney ⢠Amoeba Gig
Paul McCartney Amoeba Gig (MPL/Capitol/UMe) Lots of artists play informal sets at record shops when promoting an album. These appearances offer the chance for fans to get up-close-and-personal with their favorites, but how memorable could they be without the pomp and production of a full-blown concert experience? If the artist in question is Paul McCartney, […]
Spins: Tuff Sunshine ⢠Dig Deeper, Peanut
Tuff Sunshine Dig Deeper, Peanut (Declared Goods) Brooklynâs Johnny Leitera returns with his second full-length LP under the Tuff Sunshine banner. Dig Deeper, Peanut shows no sign of a sophomore slump, and why would it? Leitera proved his songwriting mettle with Low Water before stretching out for a pair of pseudo-solo EPs and 2015âs celebrated […]
Spins: Rush ⢠Permanent Waves 40th Anniversary
Rush Permanent Waves (40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) (Anthem/Mercury/UMe) With the passing of beloved drum virtuoso Neil Peart early this year, the days are gone when Rush fans can anticipate new music from the Canadian progressive rock heroes. However, itâs a great time to celebrate Peartâs memory and rediscover the bandâs rich catalog. The trio […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Swervedriver at Bottom Lounge
Swervedriver Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL October 28, 2019 Following a ten-year absence, â90s alt-rock groundbreakers Swervedriver unparked in 2008. By the time of 2015âs I Wasnât Born to Lose You – the Oxford quartetâs first album in 17 years – it was clear that frontman Adam Franklin and co-guitarist Jimmy Hartridge werenât dabbling. The […]
Live Review: Bob Dylan at Credit Union 1 Arena
Bob Dylan Credit Union 1 Arena, Chicago, IL October 30, 2019 After several local visits promoting his excursions through standards from the Great American Songbook and Frank Sinatraâs repertoire, Bob Dylan returned to Chicago with a show focused on his own celebrated catalog of original material. Fans entered Credit Union 1 Arena (formerly UIC Pavilion) […]
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