Music Search
Larry McCray, Cash Box Kings
Fri., March 19, 9 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
It's hardly revolutionary for contemporary blues artists to graft 12-bar changes and backstreet-noir lyrics onto a framework borrowed from mainstream rock—rock bands have been working the same territory for decades, albeit from a different starting point—but few are as deft and imaginative about it as Larry McCray. From a big-picture point of view, McCray isn't particularly original: in his guitar work he takes after B.B. King and his string-bending disciples, his band tends to crunch and slog as much as it shuffles or swings, and his meaty, straightforward songs collide classic electric blues with Joe Walsh-style swagger, a touch of Clapton, and some of the poppy soulfulness of the Doobie Brothers. But he redeems himself in the details. He contructs his fiery but mercifully understated solos with unerring precision and impeccable note choices, usually limiting himself to brief, rigorous statements slotted between sung verses—and even when he stretches out, he seldom if ever repeats himself. On his latest, a self-titled 2007 outing on his own Magnolia label, McCray showcases not just his guitar playing but his storytelling: whether delivering a kiss-off to a failed relationship ("No More"), celebrating the joys of a good one ("You Are the One"), or offering last-ditch advice on how to escape from evil thoughts and unraveling social bonds (the Springsteen-esque "Run"), he animates his narratives with vivid imagery and unimpeachable emotional commitment. Sam Lay plays a free acoustic set from 5:30-8 PM. —David Whiteis
$15
312-427-1190Eddie Shaw, Big Ray, Rico McFarland, Peaches Staten, Roosevelt "Hatter" Purifoy
Fri., March 19, 9:30 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues
Sat., March 20, 7 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
Walking the line between Beethoven and B.B. King and armed with the creative genius and instrumental prowess that have defined his career for nearly four decades, Corky has pioneered an original, genre-busting Chamber blues - a fresh, innovative sound capturing the sparkling qualities of classical music merged with the emotional melodic style of blues, all within an intimate chamber setting. Under Corky's lead, The West End String Quartet and percussionist Frank Donaldson complete the Chamber Blues Band.
Electro Glide Records Cd Release and Showcase
Sat., March 20, 8 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
March 20 8:00 PM Record Release and Label Showcase. 5 bands from all over the US. Raffle of Fender Guitar and performance of Jimmy Warren Band. www.jimmywarrenband.com
$10 cover 4660 west 147th street Midlothian, Illinois
Al Stone, Danny and The Devils, Catch Blues band,
David Gerald
Nellie "Tiger" Travis Blues Band
Fri., March 19, 9 p.m. and Sat., March 20, 9 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
Duke Tumatoe, Linsey Alexander
Fri., March 19, 9 p.m. and Sat., March 20, 9 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
Guy King's Little Big Band
Fri., March 19, 9:30 p.m. and Sat., March 20, 9:30 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
Creative Arts Orchestra with Jason Stein & Jason Roebke
Sat., March 20, 10 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band
Fri., March 19, 10 p.m. and Sat., March 20, 10 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
Corky Siegel, Howard Levy, Peter "Madcat" Ruth, Joe Filisko
Sun., March 21, 7 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
J. Hollins “The Soul Renaissance” LP Listening Party
Thu., March 25, 7 p.m.Blues, Gospel, and R&B
J. Hollins “The Soul Renaissance” LP Listening Party Scheduled for March 25, 2010 at Between Boutique Café & Lounge March 25, 2010 7-10 pm Between Boutique Café & Lounge (1324 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL 60642) “Playboy's Paradise,” an exclusive listening party for J. Hollins' new LP, "The Soul Renaissance LP". Join us as we celebrate the release of “The Soul Renaissance” with music, drinks, and the ultimate “Playboy’s Paradise” experience. Brought to you by Ten20 Chicago J. Hollins - http://www.jhollinsmusic.com/ “The Soul Renaissance LP” – Download now at: http://music.jhollinsmusic.com/
