Slumgullion

                                                            Inside the Metro rock club.

Countless rock fans in Chicago have fond memories of seeing concerts at Metro on Clark Street, which is why the venue’s new Hindsight 2020 yearbook is such a great idea. The website says, “See the many faces and spaces you’ve gotten to know at Metro and smartbar over the years. Funds go directly to the venue, to keep the lights on until we can safely reopen.” The softcover version is $30, and you can skip the $5 shipping fee if you pick up your copy in person. There’s also a $75 limited-edition hardcover edition that’s autographed by Chicago photographer Derrick Smith and Metro’s founder Joe Shanahan.

Juliana Hatfield has a solo acoustic livestream performance of her 1998 album Bed coming up at Q Division Studios on January 23. The show kicks off at 4:00 pm EST, and like her livestream show last month, there will be no specific ticket price. Donations are welcome and can be made in advance at Hatfield’s official website. Fans will be able to talk with Hatfield live before, during and after the event.

WXRT’s Annual Listener Poll will go the webcast route next Thursday, January 21, starting at 6:00 pm CST. Just as they’ve done at numerous live celebrations over the years, long-time air personalities Lin Brehmer, Marty Lennartz, Terri Hemmert, Richard Milne, Ryan Arnold, and Frank E. Lee will present the awards. Tributosaurus, one of Chicago’s best-loved and versatile tribute bands, will perform throughout the event. As XRT noted on Facebook, Tito’s Handmade Vodka donated $10,000 ($1 for ever vote cast) to the Greater Chicago Food Depository as part of the voting process.

Barry Gibb’s new album Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook, which came out today, features him performing some of The Bee Gees’ biggest hits with help from an impressive list of guest stars. Sheryl Crow joins Gibb on “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” and other guests include Gillian Welch and David Rawlings; Dolly Parton; Olivia Newton-John; Tommy Emmanuel and Little Big Town; Allison Krauss; and Brandi Carlisle.

Vince Melouney, who along with the Gibb brothers was an original member of The Bee Gees, plays guitar on a new version of the band’s “Ring My Bell” by Strangers In A Strange Land.  Vocalist Paul Kopf and bassist/keyboards player/guitarist Alec Palao are the core of Strangers In A Strange Land, but they’re ably assisted by guitarist Jonathan Lea from The Jigsaw Seen and drummer Clem Burke from Blondie. The new “Ring My Bell” was produced by the legendary Shel Talmy.

The January issue of the Illinois Entertainer, featuring Tom Lanham’s cover story on George Thorogood, is available on the long-time free publication’s website. This edition also has Lanham’s interview with Exene Cervenka from X and Jeff Elbel’s feature on alt rock singer songwriter Beki Hemingway. You’ll also find reviews of Billie Joe Armstrong’s new covers album No Fun Mondays, The 50th Anniversary edition of The Kinks’ Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneyground Part One, and Pink Floyd’s Delicate Sound Of Thunder Blu-ray Three-LP Vinyl set. 

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame will reopen to the public this coming Monday, January 18, according to the museum’s official website. The statement promises proven health and safety precautions will be in place, and tickets must be purchased in advance to ensure social distancing. The RRHOF also has a few more artist t-shirts for sale, judging from some recent posts on Facebook and Instagram. One of them is a Jimi Hendrix 1969 Live On Stage t-shirt that’s very vibrant and cool. Still no t-shirt for The Hollies, who were inducted in 2010. Maybe if all the Hollies-related Instagram accounts banded together, they could persuade The RRHOF to do the right thing.

The 2020 Bash Batch. International Pop Overthrow founder David Bash has released his traditional listings of favorite releases from the previous year. As usual, he’s broken things out in different categories, with The Corner Laughers snagging first place for Top 125 Albums. I know The Corner Laughers from their terrific song “Sophie On The Streets Of Stockholm,” as well as their irresistible cover of “Everything Will Work Fine” from the Garden Of Earthly Delights - An XTC Collection various artists compilation. That album, by the way, won the Top Tribute Discs - Various Artists category. It was nice to see Chicago favorite Phil Angotti’s The Best Of Phil Angotti - Top Tunes and Real Grooves come in at number 2 on the Top Compilations - Single Artist honors. All the lists can be viewed on the official International Pop Overthrow website. 

The Hey Nonny music venue in Arlington Heights is still in hibernation, but opened its doors last Thursday and Friday so those of us who’ve become members of the Nonny Club could pick up our t-shirts. Designed by musician/artist Jon Langford, the shirt is one of the perks of signing up. Hey Nonny plans to reopen on March 10, and has already lined up a number of concert events well worth checking out.

Speaking of Jon Langford, I spoke with him several years ago after he performed his solo debut Skull Orchard at WXRT DJ Lin Brehmer’s Birthday Bash at the Arlington Park Racetrack. Just a few words to say I enjoyed the show. A few years later, I saw Langford at a pop-up holiday event at the Bloodshot Records indie label’s headquarters on Chicago’s north side. Without thinking, I said hello like we were long-time friends. I’m sure he had no idea who I was, but he cheerfully said hello back. Nice chap.