Yesterday’s Slumgullion had to be postponed due to my taking a train and a bus to see Graham Nash perform at SPACE in Evanston. He was once again joined by guitarist-vocalist Shane Fontayne and keyboards player-vocalist Todd Caldwell; superb musicians who also provided exquisite harmonies throughout the concert. The show opened with Nash dedicating a solemn performance of the Stephen Stills ballad “Find The Cost Of Freedom” to the citizens of Ukraine. That immediately led to Nash’s own “Military Madness,” creating a cathartic experience between the performers and the audience. Later, the trio closed its first set with another Stills number, the rollicking “Love The One You’re With.”
Other highlights from the first half of the show included the Crosby, Stills and Nash hits “Wasted On The Way” and “Marrakesh Express,” as well as “I Used To Be A King” from Nash’s solo debut Songs For Beginners. Prior to performing “Bus Stop,” a major hit from his days with The Hollies, Nash announced he’s been working with life-long mate and former fellow Hollies member Allan Clarke on new material. Unfortunately, my travel arrangements dictated that I had to split after the first half, but I’m sure the packed audience at SPACE was just as thrilled with the second half. Graham Nash has another sold-out show tonight at the venue.
Chicago area band The Handcuffs recently announced their fourth album Burn The Rails will be released on June 3, and they have their first live date of 2022 coming up next Friday, April 1 at Reggies Music Joint Club on State Street. They’ll be sharing the bill with Canadian rockers The Pack A.D.
Having directed the highly successful documentary Summer Of Soul ( . . . Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised), musician Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson has now joined with Mick Jagger for the production of a James Brown feature. The plan is for James Brown: Say It Loud to air on the A and E Network some time in 2023.
Chicago area power pop band The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club has recorded a string of impressive albums, and plan to release their latest effort Please Stand By sometime this summer. The catchy leadoff single “Hold You Up” is already available on Bandcamp and other streaming sites, and will no doubt be part of the show when The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club performs at Montrose Saloon on April 23 as part of International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.
Eclipse Chicago - A Pink Floyd Tribute is coming to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine on April 8.
The Gene Siskel Film Center and Chicago Film Society will co-present a 35-millimeter print of the rare 1929 Ukrainian silent documentary In Spring (Vesnoy) on April 7 at 7:00 pm. Dave Drazin will provide piano accompaniment. The screening is part of their Ukrainian Cinema Series, which runs from March 25 through April 7.
Kool Kat Musik is recruiting pop bands from around the world to be part of its POP AID CD. The project will raise funds to benefit people in the Ukraine. As mentioned in a recent Facebook post from Kool Kat Musik boss Ray Gianchetti, several acts have already agreed to contribute previously unreleased tracks. 100% of the profits will go to charitable organizations, such as Amnesty International. So far, the list includes Jamie Hoover; Arvidson And Butterflies; Thrift Store Halo, Nick Frater; Lolas; The Walkdown Band; and The Sun Sawed In Half. Musicians interested in donating a track to the CD can contact Gianchetti via ray@koolkatmusik.cm
David Bromberg has a gig at the Old Town School Of Folk Music next Saturday, April 2, and Robin Hitchcock will bring his eclectic repertoire to the venue on April 21.
Fire Shut Up In My Bones, the new opera that incorporates elements of jazz music created by Terrence Blanchard, is currently being staged at the Lyric Opera Of Chicago. This groundbreaking work is based on New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow’s memoir. If you have a copy of today’s Chicago Tribune still around, check out the fascinating and informative review by veteran theatre critic Chris Jones.
According to a recent newspaper article, officials in the city of Elgin, IL are debating whether it’s financially feasible to bring back the Nightmare On Chicago Street festival. The annual Halloween event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021, and reportedly production costs have gone up quite a bit in that time. I had fun performing in a few of the zombie-themed short comedy films created by David Metzger and Jeff Kelley for Nightmare On Chicago Street in previous years. I’d be happy to do another one if there is a fest this year.
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