Four Auld Lang Synes, My Dear

Happy New Year to everyone who reads this blog. The following is an edited version of a post that first appeared here on December 31, 2009.

One of the reasons people still get misty-eyed at the end of It’s A Wonderful Life is because all the family, friends, and neighbors singing “Auld Lang Syne” at the Bailey residence remind us of our own situation. The song has always conveyed a bittersweet message. A celebration of the loved ones we’ve cherished throughout our lives, but a recognition that for one reason or another, many of them have moved on. John Lennon explored a similar sentiment with The Beatles on “In My Life.”

There was a time when just about everybody thought of Guy Lombardo when it came to “Auld Lang Syne” since he and his Royal Canadians played it every New Year’s Eve for years on radio and TV. Nowadays, nobody under 50 would know who he is, although his version is available on iTunes and YouTube. It sounds particularly melancholy.

“Auld Lang Syne” continues to be covered by various musicians. The version by The Smithereens on Christmas With The Smithereens opens with the band harmonizing like a barbershop quartet before the guitars and drums kick in. From there, it morphs into a pulsating surf rock tune that’s predominantly instrumental.

Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken also tackled the song as part of group called Husky Team. This inspired and fun instrumental take, from the Hi-Fi Christmas Party Volume 2 CD, mixes “Auld Lang Syne” with the Booker T & The MG’s 1960s hit, “Green Onions.”

My favorite version of “Auld Lang Syne” comes from a New Jersey band called The Cucumbers and can be found on the various artists Ho Ho Ho Spice CD. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a link to this song, so unless you have a copy of Ho Ho Ho Spice, you’ll have to trust my description. The guitar-driven, slightly Celtic, power pop arrangement and Deena Shoshkes’s spirited vocals cast out any trace of sadness and offer instead an exhilarating sense of triumph. The journey’s over and the quest has been successful. Just the inspiration we need to kick off another year.

Champagne

Photo from  The REAL Peter Tork (Official) Facebook page.

Best wishes for a festive New Year’s Eve and a successful 2023 to all who read this blog. Whether you choose to hit the town or party at home, be sure to keep safe tomorrow night.

First, a champagne toast to Davy Jones and Mike Nesmith of The Monkees, who were both born on December 30. Happy Birthday, guys, and keep rocking in paradise. We’ll never forget you. Or Peter Tork.

The always fun rockabilly/garage rock band Amazing Heeby Jeebies will be ringing in the new year at Montrose Saloon tomorrow night, along with The Metalliques and Forbidden Kingdom. The Metalliques are a masked, mysterious, and female-fronted band that performs chilling but engaging techno jazz. Forbidden Kingdom features Eric Chial from Bon Mots on guitar and his son Gustaf on drums; Ellis Clark from Social Act on keyboards and his son Andrew on bass; and Jared Chase Eisenmann on guitar. Montrose Saloon is located at 2933 W. Montrose Avenue on Chicago’s north side.

Vivienne Westwood, who along with Malcolm McLaren managed the iconic Let It Rock shop in London, has passed away at age 81. The duo is widely recognized for giving birth to the provocative punk rock fashion that erupted in the late 1970s and remains to this day. Westwood maintained a successful designing career throughout her life, while actively supporting worthwhile causes like saving our planet from global warming. Several well-known rock stars paid tribute to her on social media the past few days.

EXPO ’76, the equally unpredictable and entertaining covers band made up of musicians from some of the area’s best original groups, will return to Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights tomorrow night for what’s bound to be a joyous New Year’s Eve celebration. In related news, the Hey Nonny Women’s Jazz Festival runs on the weekend of January 6 – 8.

Sending out December 30 Happy Birthday wishes to punk/alt rock priestess Patti Smith and Electric Light Orchestra founder and Traveling Wilburys member Jeff Lynne. And Happy Birthday to rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley, who was born on this day in 1928.

The fourth annual Winter Mini Fringe, an offshoot of the Elgin Fringe Festival, will be staged at the Elgin Public House on January 21. The event features the comedies Party Cops and It’s That Time Of The Month, along with Cats That I Know presented by Danny Wightkin. Admission is $15 per show or $30 for all three. The event kicks off at 4:00 pm and is being produced by Side Street Studio Arts with support from the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, and Elgin Public House.

Just in time for viewing on long winter nights when it’s too cold to go outside, English pop masters Squeeze have begun posting HD videos with new audio of some of their best-loved tracks on YouTube. So far, the list includes “Cool For Cats,” and “Up The Junction.” 

Bric-A-Brac Records and Collectibles, a friendly and imaginative store on Chicago’s north side, is in need of help after a “burst pipe disaster.” A recent Facebook post states, “We have insurance and shouldn't have trouble getting compensated for our losses, but the real issue is replacing the inventory.” People are being asked to sell records, toys, VHS, cassettes, etc. to Bric-A-Brac but I’m sure the store wouldn’t mind donations. Wouldn’t it be great if Bric-A-Brac received stuff from around the globe? The address is 2845 N. Milwaukee Avenue/Chicago, IL  60647. Another way to help is to purchase special t-shirts and tote bags designed by Ryan Duggan available from the Bric-A-Brac website. 

According to an Instagram post, the Reckless Records location on Belmont in Chicago also suffered a burst pipe incident and needed to close for a while in order to to clean up. A more recent post noted that quick-acting employees and customers “allowed us to mostly avoid disaster.”

The Pretenders have a series of gigs coming up next February in Manchester, Newcastle, London, Brighton, and Bristol that will align with Independent Venue Week in the U.K.

Congratulations to The Bodeans on selling out their show tonight at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles.

Reggies in the south loop has a four-band showcase coming up on January 12 featuring Silver Abuse, Voice Of Addiction, The Handcuffs, and Vortis. Each act will perform a half-hour set. People around these parts have been picking The Handcuffs’ Burn The Rails as one of the best albums of 2022, and I’d have to agree.

Dreaming in Colours. The Dream Syndicate has an upcoming tour in the U.K., and has sold out its  March 15 concert at The Lexington in London. The Los Angeles-based band recently added a March 16 date at the Colours venue, also in London. Fellow original Paisley Underground member Vicki Peterson of The Bangles will be a guest performer at both gigs.

Congratulations to Chicago-based musician/actor Common on his Broadway debut in Between Riverside and Crazy, the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Stephen Adly Guirgis.

Tickets are now on sale for The Chicago Independent Venue League’s CIVL Fest coming to various locations around the city February 8 – 26. The event will benefit will help fund Venue Staff and Artist Mental Health Programs; Venue Safety Initiatives; and Equal Access And Equity Campaigns. The full schedule is yet to be worked out, but so far, the venues involved are Beat Kitchen, Berlin, Harold Washington Cultural Center, Metro, Patio Theatre, Reggies, Rosa’s Lounge, and Sleeping Village.

The third installment of It’s Karma It’s Cool’s quest to offer six digital singles in three months was just released, and despite being named “Winter Coats,” it’s not a holiday tune. The English band describes its catchy, original tunes as power pop with bite, and this new one definitely fits that description. As with the first two songs, Peter Holsapple from The dB’s joins It’s Karma It’s Cool on keyboards.

I’ve been reading at least a chapter a day of Bono’s SURRENDER: 40 Songs, One Story and it’s continually fascinating to discover the inspiration for some of U2’s biggest hits. As I’ve noted previously, Bono comes across in this memoir as honest, funny, and interesting. 

The immersive exhibit Bob Marley: One Love Experience, having already made stops in London and Toronto, will come to the Ovation Hollywood venue in Los Angeles on January 27. Its features include photography, music, concert videos, and a One Love Forest.

If These Walls Could Sing, Mary McCartney’s new documentary about the amazing history of Abbey Road Studios in London is now streaming on Disney +. 

 

Musician Jason Narducy, musician/actor Michael Shannon, and their friends will perform songs by The Modern Lovers at SPACE on January 19. 

Nine Liars, the latest novel in Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious series is now available. The story finds young and brilliant sleuth Stevie Bell investigating a murder in England.

Incoming

 

If you live in the northwest suburbs, you might still have time to witness The Waco Brothers making a triumphant return to Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights tonight. The Facebook post for this event describes the veteran country/punk band’s sound as a “Cash-meets-Clash jet engine mash up," which sure sounds like fun. The mash up starts at 7:30 pm.

Dreaming in Colours. The Dream Syndicate has an upcoming tour in the U.K., and has sold out its  March 15 concert at The Lexington in London. The Los Angeles-based band recently added a March 16 date at the recently opened Colours venue, also in London. Fellow original Paisley Underground member Vicki Peterson of The Bangles will be a guest performer at both gigs.

Steve Dawson and The Lucid Dreams will be backed by The Total Pro Horns at SPACE in Evanston tomorrow night. It’s part of a last-minute event put together by local indie label Pravda Records to replace a canceled show at the venue, and will also feature Josh Caterer from Smoking Popes and Chicago alt rock scene veterans The Service. The all ages event kicks off with The Service at 7:00 pm. 

Venues throughout the Chicago area will be presenting New Year’s Eve events this Saturday, but two options really stand out in my mind: Amazing Heeby Jeebies at Montrose Saloon and EXPO ’76 at Hey Nonny. Both of these acts are a lot of fun to watch on any occasion, and it’s a safe best they’ll turn things up a notch for an NYE bash. Amazing Heeby Jeebies specialize in rockabilly/garage rock originals with the occasional well-chosen cover. The members of EXPO ’76 come from some of the city’s best original bands, but in this group, they play a wildly unpredictable selection of cover versions that spans numerous decades and genres. And then there’s hilarious banter. You’ll find Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side; Hey Nonny is located in Arlington Heights.

Holiday Dinner

Happy holidays to everyone around the globe who reads this blog. And best wishes for a successful, healthy, stress-free and creative 2023.

So, it wasn’t the Grinch who stole last Friday’s Slumgullion. That morning found me in the emergency room of the NorthShore Glenbrook Hospital. (You can skip down a few paragraphs for the actual entertainment news.) I had already made a December 27 appointment with a doctor who specializes in hernia repair, but a related complication called a small bowel obstruction triggered convulsive vomiting and could have caused internal organ damage if not treated in time. I was released Monday afternoon, but I’ll probably still need the hernia surgery in the near future.

On Tuesday, I started a three-day freelance proofreading assignment. Plus, I’ve been fielding calls from concerned family members and watching Christmas specials. Meanwhile, the Broken Hearted Toy workshop remained idle. Before I get on with this week’s items, I want to extend my extreme gratitude to the ER crew and every member of every shift of the Glenbrook 4 South Team for the amazing and compassionate care I received. And a big thank you to the doctor I spoke with at the Immediate Care Center in Mount Prospect who strongly suggested I go to an ER instead of waiting for my December 27 doctor appointment.

The reason I bring all this up is to get a lot of attention and pity. Just kidding. I initially thought my condition was food poisoning and I spent a day waiting it out. Any longer, and I could have been in serious trouble. Bottom line: If something feels wrong, don’t hesitate to have it checked out by medical professionals.

Long-time WXRT radio personality Lin Brehmer has created a Rock And Roll Holiday Songs playlist on Audacy that can be accessed through a link on the Chicago station’s Facebook page. As you’d expect from Brehmer, the songs range from traditional to off kilter, and they all make for enjoyable listening. Definitely recommended, especially for anyone who’s tired of hearing the same 15 holiday songs on some of Chicago’s other major stations.

Australian power pop musician Joe Algeri can always be trusted to drop a new Christmas song down our chimney, and this year, he’s created an entire album. Just Not Quite . . . A Christmas Album (Vol. 2) features Algeri wrapping thought-provoking but not particularly joyful messages within chiming guitar arrangements that evoke The Byrds. He’s joined once again by family members Erika and Lydia Algeri, as well as his tried-and true international buddies Herb Eimerman, Stefan Johansson; Lars Brusell; Andy J. Prinkkila; and Paul Colombini. Highlights include “Won’t Be Leaving Home For Christmas,” “Holiday On Mars,” and “I Don’t Want Your Presents.” The album is available on Bandcamp with a 'name your price' option.

Veteran music industry vocalists Lia Caton and Candy Fernaux harmonize beautifully on an acoustic cover of the country holiday standard “Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem” that can be viewed on YouTube.  

In other holiday music news, Ronnie Wood and Andrea Corr lend their appealing vocals to an easy-going and bluesy take on “Blue Christmas” that was recently posted on various streaming sites.

Vocalist-guitarist Steve Barton has released a two-sided Happy Holidays single with help from fellow Translator member Dave Scheff. They’re backed by an all-star lineup of Peter Buck from R.E.M., Scott McCaughey from Young Fresh Fellows, and Debbi Peterson from The Bangles on “Just Like Christmas” and “Happy New Year.”

If you live in the Chicago area and haven’t made New Year’s Eve plans yet, here are a few good ideas. Rockabilly/garage rockers Amazing Heeby Jebbies will be at Montrose Saloon; Local H will be performing at The Bottom Lounge with big bird as their opening act; and EXPO ’76 will be at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights.

Tickets are now on sale for The Chicago Independent Venue League’s CIVL Fest coming to various locations around the city February 8 – 26. The event will help fund Venue Staff and Artist Mental Health Programs; Venue Safety Initiatives; and Equal Access And Equity Campaigns. The full schedule is yet to be worked out, but so far, the venues involved are Beat Kitchen, Berlin, Harold Washington Cultural Center, Metro, Patio Theatre, Reggies, Rosa’s Lounge, and Sleeping Village.

The Pretenders have a series of gigs coming up next February in Manchester, Newcastle, London, Brighton, and Bristol that will align with Independent Venue Week in the U.K.

The third installment of It’s Karma It’s Cool’s quest to offer six digital singles in three months was just released, and despite being named “Winter Coats,” it’s not a holiday tune. The English band describes its catchy, original tunes as power pop with bite, and this new one definitely fits that description. Peter Holsapple from The dB’s once again joins It’s Karma It’s Cool on keyboards.

He’s coming to Chicago and staying a few nights. Graham Nash has added a fifth show to his run at The Old Town School Of Folk Music next April. 

Siouxsie Sioux has her first gig in 10 years coming up next July at The Latitude Festival.

“Just got a place in New York.” Bono from U2 will be making himself at home in the Big Apple next April when he returns to The Beacon Theatre for eight performances promoting his memoir SURRENDER: 40 Songs, One Story. The first show is on April 16. If Bono came back to Chicago with a similar flight of shows, I might be able to snag a ticket. His one-and-only Chicago Theatre appearance a while back sold out almost immediately. Meanwhile, I’ll keep reading Surrender. I’m up to Chapter 10, which opens with Bono throwing Larry Mullen’s drum kit into the audience at a 1980s show in New Haven, CT. 

Congratulations to Famous In The Future on selling out all three dates of its first Christmas-themed show A Judy Christmas last weekend at The Den Theatre. Full disclosure: I was a member of Famous In The Future for several years.

If These Walls Could Sing, Mary McCartney’s new documentary about the amazing history of Abbey Road Studios in London began streaming on Disney + last Friday.  

The country/punk band The Waco Brothers will be performing songs from their latest album when they return to Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights next Tuesday, December 27. 

The official Facebook page for the U.K. 1990s band Lush recently offered a post from vocalist-guitarist Miki Berenyi stating, “Been rehearsing with the lads and got a tidy set of songs for upcoming book/music events!” Berenyi has been promoting her new memoir Fingers Crossed -How Music Saved Me From Success in venues and book stores around the U.K. It would nice if she came across the pond for some gigs in the States.

Jumpin’ Jack cash, it’s a gas, gas, gas. The Rolling Stones have become the fifth British rock and roll act to be honored in The Royal Mint's Music Legends £5 coin series. The previous honorees were Elton John, Queen, David Bowie, and The Who. Prices range from £14.50 for the uncirculated coin to £5,215.00 gold proof coin.

The immersive exhibit Bob Marley: One Love Experience, having already made stops in London and Toronto, will come to the Ovation Hollywood venue in Los Angeles on January 27. Its features include photography, music, concert videos, and a One Love Forest.

Musician Jason Narducy, musician/actor Michael Shannon, and their friends will perform songs by The Modern Lovers at SPACE on January 19.

The Don’t Lie To Me! - Celebrating The 50th Anniversary Of Big Star’s #1 Record Tour is underway with dates in Memphis, Jersey City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Carrboro, NC. The performers are Big Star drummer Jody Stephens, Mike Mills from R.E.M., Jon Auer from The Posies, Chris Stamey from The dB’s, and Pat Sansone from Wilco. The band will play the entire #1 Record album, plus songs from Big Star’s other two albums.

As of last Friday, Canadian moviegoers have been able to watch Revival69: The Concert That Rocked The World—a new documentary directed by Ron Chapman—in several theaters around the country. The film explores the story behind a 1969 concert at the Varsity Stadium in Toronto that featured John Lennon With The Plastic Ono Band (Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, and Alan White); Chuck Berry; Little Richard; Jerry Lee Lewis; Bo Diddley; Gene Vincent; The Doors; and Alice Cooper. At the time, the concert was called The Toronto Rock And Roll Revival. Hopefully, it will distributed in the U.S.A. at some point.

Fans of mystery author Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious series will be glad to learn that Stevie Bell, the young and brilliant sleuth of those books, will return in a new novel titled Nine Liars. This time out, she’ll be investigating a murder in England. It’s due out on December 27.

The Hey Nonny Women’s Jazz Festival is coming up on the weekend of January 6 – 8. 

Post From Christmas Past

Reading about The Don’t Lie To Me! - Celebrating The 50th Anniversary Of Big Star’s #1 Record Tour, with Chris Stamey from The dB’s among the all-star musicians joining Big Star drummer Jody Stephens, brings to mind a classic rock and roll holiday album I reviewed here a few years back. I like to repost it during December each year, so here's an edited version. 

Back in 1993, the release of a holiday album featuring The dBs and Big Star had visions of catchy songs dancing in the heads of power pop fans. Christmas Time by Chris Stamey And Friends not only delivered the gifts, it had the feel of an old-fashioned variety show. Host Chris Stamey, a founding member of The dB’s, kicked things off with the band on their impossibly catchy “Christmas Time.” Stamey also teamed up with vocalist-guitarist Wes Lachot for the wistful “Christmas Is The Only Time (I Think Of You)” and joined vocalist-keyboards player Cathy Harrington on the spirited romance of “You’re What I Want For Christmas.” Harrington also entertained with her own festive song, “Sha La La.”

Big Star checked in with an original rocking hymn called “Jesus Christ,” and founder Alex Chilton offered a cozy acoustic version of “The Christmas Song.” Vocalist-guitarist Peter Holsapple of The dB’s (and later a touring member of R.E.M.) served up a simple but beautiful “O Holy Night” while acoustic guitarist Brent Lambert’s “Silent Nocturne” was an engaging instrumental take on “Silent Night.” Brent Lambert and Kirsten Lambert performed a low-key but engaging “Silver Bells,” and singer Syd Straw handed out holiday puns with her rendition of “(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear.”

The dB’s and their guests sounded like they were having a blast during the recording of this CD, especially on the high-speed “Holiday Spirit” and a totally loopy “Feliz Navidad” by The dB[’s. In 2006, an expanded version of Christmas Time was released, with additional tracks from Don Dixon, Marshall Crenshaw, and other artists.

Incoming

Photo from U2 Official Facebook page.

“Just got a place in New York.” Bono from U2 will be making himself at home in the Big Apple next April when he returns to The Beacon Theatre for eight performances promoting his memoir SURRENDER: 40 Songs, One Story. The first show is on April 16. If Bono came back to Chicago with a similar flight of shows, I might be able to snag a ticket. His one-and-only Chicago Theatre appearance a while back sold out almost immediately. Meanwhile, I’ll keep reading Surrender. I’m up to Chapter 10, which opens with Bono throwing Larry Mullen’s drum kit into the audience at a 1980s show in New Haven, CT. 

Famous In The Future, the sketch comedy group I co-founded in 1989 and performed with through 2008, will present its first Christmas-themed show this Thursday through Saturday, December 15 –17, at The Den Theatre. (1333 N. Milwaukee Avenue.) Cast member Desiree Burcum described A Judy Christmas on Facebook as an opportunity to “join Judy in her studio audience in 1963 as she navigates her holiday special and her own musical ghosts of Christmas.” Tickets can be purchased from the FIF website. 

I attended several FIF cast holiday parties during my tenure with the group, which is where I first saw Burcum doing her funny Judy Garland impersonation. She can also do a spot-on Edith Bunker, as evidenced by an All In The Family spoof she wrote several years ago. I played Michael Stivic, with a loose-fitting fake mustache that became a comedy bit in itself. 

If These Walls Could Sing, Mary McCartney’s new documentary about the amazing history of Abbey Road Studios in London  begins streaming on Disney + this Friday, December 16.  

Chicago Acoustic Underground (CAU) will present a Christmas edition of its Singing For Your Supper series this Thursday, December 15 at Foundation Tavern. Presented by Michael Teach and Donna Adler, the event will offer performances by Mark Dvorak, Donna Adler, Chris Churchill, James Van Camp, Patty Peace, and Victor Canelas. Patrons can expect some traditional holiday music, along several original songs. Foundation Tavern is located at 5007 W. Irving Park Road. 

Shemekia Copeland, widely regarded as one of the best blues artists performing today, has a gig this Friday night at City Winery Chicago.

Midsommer Flight will wrap up its run of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with performances this Thursday through Sunday at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The production is directed by Bex Ehrmann. Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can basis, and reservations are recommended. Show time each night is 7:30.

The country/punk band The Waco Brothers will be performing songs from their latest album when they return to Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights on December 27. 

Still Underneath The Christmas Tree

Lorinda Murphy, wife of Shoes founding member and producer Jeff Murphy, recently posted on Facebook that CD copies of the original 1991 pressing of Yuletunes are available on the band’s website. With Christmas exactly two weeks away, it’s a good time to revisit one of the best (and first) various artist collections of original holiday songs. Back in 2010, I reviewed Yuletunes here on Broken Hearted Toy. Here’s an edited version of that review. 

“This Christmas” by Shoes is a catchy rock song with a monster drum beat and chiming guitars that offers an optimistic approach to coping with tough times. The punchy “Merry Christmas Will Do” finds Material Issue at the peak of its power. Jim Ellison’s rugged guitar playing takes center stage, and as usual, he’s a master at selling the pain of unrequited love through his evocative singing. The Idea, fronted by vocalist-guitarist Phil Angotti, contribute the melodic “It’s About That Time,” which describes the joys of winter scenes, church bell, carols, and watching It’s A Wonderful Life.

The single-named Leroy checks in with “Santa Stole My Baby,” a mid-tempo song that sets up a crime scene with clever clues like, “footsteps on the rooftop.” On a more serious note, there’s the haunting “The Saddest Time Of The Year” from Spooner. The band featured lead vocalist-guitarist Duke Erikson and drummer Butch Vig long before they formed Garbage with dynamic Scottish singer Shirley Manson. The Spongetones craft an old-fashioned Christmas tune with a delicate melody and intricately layered vocals on their innocent fantasy “Christmasland.”

“A God Of My Own” by 92 Degrees offers a complex look at religious beliefs during the most commercial time of the year. Whatever your feelings on that issue, there’s no denying this song has a gorgeous arrangement. Songs don’t come much happier than Bill Lloyd’s romantic “Underneath The Christmas Tree.” Set to a catchy arrangement, it sounds like it could have been a 1960s Top 40 hit. Kelley Ryan adds a hint of Country and Western to her heartfelt vocals on “It’s Not Christmas,” as someone spending the holiday alone “for the first time in years.”

Singer-songwriter Herb Eimerman’s gorgeous ballad “You Gave Me” celebrates family traditions at Christmas, as well as the way love and values are passed on from one generation to another. The Critics uncork an irresistible energy on their romantic “She Feels Like Christmas Day.” This is probably the only song on Yuletunes that would fit in just as well on a non-holiday collection. 

Saturday Slumgullion

Wicked Opossum Records, a Mishawaka, Indiana independent label, released Starstruck: A Tribute To The Kinks yesterday on its Bandcamp page. Several of 14 tracks find current bands taking a revved-up approach to Kinks classics. It’s also available on CD.

WXRT air personality Ryan Arnold will be giving away the station’s 50th Anniversary t-shirts at the Reckless Records 1379 N. Milwaukee Avenue location at 4:00 pm today. I have it on good authority that Santa is bringing me one, along with an XRT 50th Anniversary coffee mug for Christmas.

The official Facebook page for the U.K. 1990s band Lush recently offered a post from vocalist-guitarist Miki Berenyi stating, “Been rehearsing with the lads and got a tidy set of songs for upcoming book/music events!” Berenyi has been promoting her new memoir Fingers Crossed -How Music Saved Me From Success in venues and book stores around the U.K. It would nice if she came across the pond for some gigs in the States.

Jumpin’ Jack cash, it’s a gas, gas, gas. The Rolling Stones have become the fifth British rock and roll act to be honored in The Royal Mint’s Music Legends £5 coin series. The previous honorees were Elton John, Queen, David Bowie, and The Who. Prices range from £14.50 for the uncirculated coin to £5,215.00 gold proof coin.

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood continues to feature his mates and other iconic musicians in his art. He describes a new set of prints as being “Released for the very first time from my personal archive.” The collection offers Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, and Elvis Presley. 

Liar’s Club on Fullerton in Chicago is presenting a triple bill tonight with Kozmic Kicks, The Handcuffs, and Poison Boys. DJ Platzer will be spinning records between sets. The action begins at 9:00 pm.

Stax Records co-founder Jim Stewart passed away at age 92 earlier this week. As noted by Adrian Sainz in an Associated Press article picked up by the Chicago Sun-Times, Stax Records released 800 singles from 1959 to 1975, including Otis Redding’s “Dock Of The Bay,” Sam And Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Coming,” and “Green Onions” by Booker T And The M.G.s. Stewart was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2002.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t there, but I trust an Empty Bottle Instagram post that says Jack White’s 2-hour performance at the north side Chicago venue this past Wednesday night was a smashing success. In related news, the Rough Trade Records website chose White’s Fear Of The Dawn/Entering Heaven Alive/Live From Marshall as its second favorite U.S. vinyl album of 2022.

If These Walls Could Sing, Mary McCartney’s new documentary about the amazing history of Abbey Road Studios in London  begins streaming on Disney + next Friday, December 16.

 

The Belmonts will be performing holiday music at Coco And Blu Cafe in Arlington Heights tonight from 8:00 to 10:00 pm. The merriment will include special prices on cocktails.

 

The immersive exhibit Bob Marley: One Love Experience, having already made stops in London and Toronto, will come to the Ovation Hollywood venue in Los Angeles on January 27. Its features include photography, music, concert videos, and a One Love Forest.

Musician Jason Narducy, musician/actor Michael Shannon, and their friends will perform songs by The Modern Lovers at SPACE on January 19. The Evanston venue is having a Holiday Pop-Up Holiday Market today and tomorrow, and again next Saturday and Sunday.

The Don’t Lie To Me! - Celebrating The 50th Anniversary Of Big Star’s #1 Record tour recently kicked off in Athens, GA and will move on to dates in Memphis, Jersey City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Carrboro, NC. The performers are Big Star drummer Jody Stephens, Mike Mills from R.E.M., Jon Auer from The Posies, Chris Stamey from The dB’s, and Pat Sansone from Wilco. The band will play the entire #1 Record album, plus songs from Big Star’s other two albums.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti will return to City Winery Chicago tomorrow for another Beatles Brunch. This one starts at 12:00 pm and will focus on The Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack.

Starting next Friday, December 16, Canadian moviegoers will be able to watch Revival69: The Concert That Rocked The World—a new documentary directed by Ron Chapman—in several theaters around the country. The film explores the story behind a 1969 concert at the Varsity Stadium in Toronto that featured John Lennon With The Plastic Ono Band (Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, and Alan White); Chuck Berry; Little Richard; Jerry Lee Lewis; Bo Diddley; Gene Vincent; The Doors; and Alice Cooper. At the time, the concert was called The Toronto Rock And Roll Revival. Hopefully, it will distributed in the U.S.A. at some point.

Goodman Theatre’s annual New Stages Festival is going on now through December 18. Admission is free but tickets must be reserved in advance.

Vocalist-guitarist Steve Barton has released a two-sided Happy Holidays single with help from fellow Translator member Dave Scheff. They’re backed by an all-star lineup of Peter Buck from R.E.M., Scott McCaughey from Young Fresh Fellows, and Debbi Peterson from The Bangles on “Just Like Christmas” and “Happy New Year.”

Chicago Acoustic Underground (CAU) will present a Christmas edition of its Singing For Your Supper series next Thursday, December 15 at Foundation Tavern. Presented by Michael Teach and Donna Adler, the event will offer performances by Mark Dvorak, Donna Adler, Chris Churchill, James Van Camp, Patty Peace, and Victor Canelas. Patrons can expect some traditional holiday music, along several original songs. Foundation Tavern is located at 5007 W. Irving Park Road. 

Fans of mystery author Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious series will be glad to learn that Stevie Bell, the young and brilliant sleuth of those books, will return in a new novel titled Nine Liars. This time out, she’ll be investigating a murder in England. It’s due out on December 27.

My wife Pam and I caught Elf: The Musical at Drury Lane Theatre last Saturday, and enjoyed the spirited singing and dancing. Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin’s writing was clever, with occasional current cultural references deftly incorporated in the dialogue. Hats off to Ben Dow, A.D. Weaver, Lydia Burke, Sean Forunatato, Melody A. Betts, and the rest of the cast.

It’s not too soon for Chicago area rock fans to make their New Year’s Eve plans. Local H will be performing at The Bottom Lounge just west of downtown, with big bird as their opening act. EXPO ’76 is likely to be even more fun than usual as they ring in 2023 with an off-kilter selection of cover tunes at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights. Tickets are now on sale for the Hey Nonny Women’s Jazz Festival coming up on the weekend of January 6 – 8.

Chicago-based rockers Kevin Lee And The Kings will hold their Annual Christmas Bash on

December 10 at the Chicago Loop Sports Bar And Grill in Streamwood. 

The Famous In The Future sketch comedy group will present their very first holiday-themed show, A Judy Christmas, next weekend at The Den Theatre.

Incoming

Jack White will be performing at Empty Bottle at 9:00 pm tomorrow night, according to an Instagram post from the north side Chicago venue. “This is gonna be a real fun one and we’ll all very excited,” the post noted in a classic understatement. Tickets go on sale today at noon, and there will be a two-ticket limit per customer. Tickets are will call only, the doors will open at 7:30. I just heard WXRT DJ Lin Brehmer announce that the FM station will be giving tickets away to listeners. Be ready to call if you want one.

Blind Boys Of Alabama have a Christmas show this Wednesday at City Winery Chicago. A few days later on Sunday, singer-guitarist Phil Angotti will return to the venue for another Beatles Brunch. This one will focus on The Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack.

Give the Kinks fans what they want. Wicked Opossum Records, a Mishawaka, Indiana independent label, will release Starstruck: A Tribute To The Kinks this Friday on its Bandcamp page.

Alt rock/Americana band Dolly Varden will perform this Friday night at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, with Emily Haden Lee as its opening act.

Big Brother’s Vinyl, a local covers band that specializes in classic rock tunes you don’t usually hear on the club scene, will return to Madcats in Palatine on this Friday.