Slumgullion

Although modestly titled, The 7" Singles Box coming from Paul McCartney on December 2 is an ambitious effort that will no doubt thrill his fans. Packed in a wooden crate that looks like it could survive an ocean voyage, the collection contains 80 seven-inch vinyl records covering the former Beatle’s output from 1971 to 2022. That includes picture sleeve hit singles with their original b-sides, as well as songs that have never appeared in the seven-inch format before. There’s also a 146-page book. The 7" Singles Box is priced at $611.98 and will be limited to 3,000 copies available on McCartney’s website.

The first of two Randolph Street Holiday Markets scheduled for 2022 takes place tomorrow and Sunday at Plumber’s Hall in Chicago’s West Loop area. The event runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm both days, and will feature “the most unusual and stylishly curated mix of vintage and modern shopping for men, women and children.” There will also be craft cocktails, informal modeling, food, a dj, and live music.

Those Pretty Wrongs, the duo of Big Star drummer Jody Stephens and guitarist Luther Russell, has just released a video of the melodic pop gem “Paper Cup.” It’s from the album Holiday Camp, which is due out soon on Curation Records.

Walk like a successful author. Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles has a novel titled This Bird Has Flown coming in April 2023, and it’s already been picked up by Universal to be adapted as a movie. According to Hoffs’ official Facebook page, the story concerns “a washed-up singer falling in love with a British literature professor.” Hoff's performed at The Wild Honey Foundation’s A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of Big Star’s #1 Record! at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA last Saturday. (As did the previously mentioned Jody Stephens.)

Blue Heaven, a tribute to blues artists such as B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Big Mama Thornton, and Muddy Waters, has opened at The Black Ensemble Theatre and will run through November 27. Tickets range from $50 to $55; Black Ensemble Theatre is located at 4450 N. Clark on Chicago’s north side.

There are only six days left to help the Monty Python lads meet the $200,000 goal for their Kickstarter campaign to fund their Monty Python’s Cocurricular Mediaeval Reenactment Programme. There are several levels of participation, starting with the Bloody Peasant Edition, which only nets the donor a PDF edition, to the Upper Class Twit Bundle, which includes all sorts of goodies. 

Chicago-based indie rock band The Webstirs are looking to fund a vinyl release of their latest, self-titled effort via an Indiegogo campaign. I reviewed this album here when it was released on CD in May, and noted it “proves [The Webstirs] can still be counted on for clever lyrics set to catchy arrangements.” I also suggested the band draws inspiration from Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook’s well-crafted compositions for Squeeze.

So, I wasn’t able to attend Bono’s SURRENDER: 40 Songs, One Story book tour performance at The Chicago Theatre earlier this week. I tried to purchase a ticket as soon as they went out sale but it turned into a cruel game of being told “Somebody’s already purchased that seat” each time I made a selection. Judging from the website, all the shows scheduled for this month have sold out. That website is also the place to watch some highly entertaining animated videos narrated by Bono. I’ll definitely buy the book, which was recently nominated for the Dubray Biography of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards.

The interactive attraction Harry Potter: Magic At Play opened today at Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue and run through May14, 2023. 

The Concert For George documentary featuring major rock stars honoring George Harrison will return to theaters for one night only on November 29. That date marks the 20th anniversary of when the original event took place.

Smoking Popes are bringing their Midwest Simmerfest event to the Backroom in Milwaukee tonight, and they’ll visit the Bottom Lounge in Chicago tomorrow. The tour also includes Off With Their Heads; Limbeck; and Color Fred.

Josh Caterer from Smoking Popes will be part of the CHIRP Radio Presents The First Time Stories And Songs event at Martyrs’ on November 16. Hosted by Jenn Sodini, it will also include Metro owner Joe Shanahan; Alicia Nesbary Moore of Herban Produce; journalist Keisa Reynolds; comedian Anna Lucero; and DJ CHIRP radio personality Josh Friedberg. Once again, Steve Frisbie, Gerald Dowd and Liam Davis will provide music as The First Time Three.

Next Friday, November 18, The Spindles will be part of a four-band show at Ballydoyle Irish Pub in Downers Grove, with The Embryos, Thrift Store Halo, and Phil Yates and The Affiliates.

Only The Strong Survive, Bruce Springsteen’s new album featuring cover versions of classic soul songs, came out in CD, vinyl, and digital formats today. 

The Pino Farina Band will return to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine tomorrow night.

The Regrettes released an extended version of their most recent album Further Joy today and it’s available on various streaming sites. The Los Angeles quartet leaned more toward techno music on this third effort so it will be interesting to see if the three extra tracks, recorded at the same time, will be in that vein. Personally, I liked the more punk-oriented approach of their earlier releases, but Further Joy was definitely a success.

Congratulations to journalist/author/radio personality Rick Kogan on receiving the Chicago Literary Hall Of Fame’s Fuller Award for a lifetime of work.

Peter Gabriel plans to release a new album titled i/o in 2023 and will launch i/o The Tour on May 18 in Krakow, Poland. The European tour will also include stops in Milan, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, London, and Manchester. Gabriel, who likes to sign off as pg, recently noted on Facebook, “It’s been a while and I am now surrounded by a whole lot of new songs and am excited to be taking them out on the road for a spin.”

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 on the weekend of December 15 –17 at The Den Theatre.  Tickets are now on sale for A Judy Christmas, which cast member Desiree Burcum describes 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.”

Artist Vivienne Boucherat is selling art and lyric sheet prints based on songs from the Odessey and Oracle album by The Zombies on her website. Prices range from $60 to $120.

The Cat Adoption Team cat shelter in Portland, OR. CAT is holding a Whisker Wonderland virtual benefit at 7:00 pm tomorrow night.

A 55th anniversary 4CD/1 seven-inch single boxset edition of The Monkees album Headquarters will be available exclusively from The Monkees official website on November 18. It will feature outtakes, demos, and newly mixed songs from the original Headquarters.

The Chicago Reader will celebrate five decades of being the city’s best-known free paper with a 50ish UnGala at Museum Of Contemporary Art on November 30. The event will take place on three floors, with four stages with live entertainment, food and beverages from the museum’s own catering service, and raffles. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive 50ish anniversary merchandise. Tickets start at $25.

Women Sing The Who, the Bandcamp page that features women artists covering songs originally done by the iconic English rockers, posted its latest entry yesterday. Actress/singer-songwriter Mare Winningham brings an easygoing, tuneful approach to “Let My Love Open The Door.” Technically, that’s not a Who song—it’s from lead guitarist Pete Townshend’s 1980 solo effort Empty Glass—but why complain when the result is so enjoyable. Winningham is joined by former Wings guitarist (and frequent Fest For Beatles Fans guest) Laurence Juber, bassist Paul Marshall, and drummer Benjamin Lecourt. Carla Oloson joins Marshall on backup vocals. Olson, first known for her work with The Textones, kicked off the Women Sing The Who series last May with her rousing take on “I Can See For Miles.” It only costs $1 to download “Let My Love Open The Door,” and all proceeds benefit The Who’s charitable organization Teen Cancer America.

The 28th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival runs through November 27 at The Gene Siskel Film Center. The festival will present 20 feature films and 25 short films, plus over 15 filmmakers will make personal appearances.

The DVD of Brett Morgen’s David Bowie film Moonage Daydream will be available on November 18, but from what I’ve read, should really be seen in a movie theater for the full effect. The official David Bowie website has t-shirts, CDs, stickers, and posters, and magnets related to Moonage Daydream for sale. 

The Dungeons And Dragons inspired play The Twenty-Sided Tavern is now running at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place just north of downtown, and will be there through January15. The show has previously sold out previous engagements in Edinburgh, Pittsburg, and New York.

Dragon’s Dream - The Roger Dean Experience, which is being billed as “an immersive high definition 4D audio/video experience” opens tomorrow at Gray Area in San Francisco and will run through January 2023. Dean, of course, is famous for the cover art he created for Yes, Uriah Heep, Badger, and other bands.

It’s Karma It’s Cool recently released the second installment in its quest to offer six digital singles in three months. The English band describes its catchy, original tunes as power pop with bite, so it’s no surprise that “Old Bones” places intriguing lyrics to a catchy, guitar-driven arrangement. It follows the first installment “A Gentle Reminder,” which dropped in August. Both of these songs, as well as one yet to come, feature guest Peter Holsapple from The dB’s on keyboards. You won’t see Holsapple in these first two videos since he works with It’s Karma It’s Cool remotely.

The 2022 Aidan Celebration Open House Party will take place on November 19 at the Shea home at 817 S. Fairfield in Elmhurst. The Aidan Shea Foundation supports the Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern Medicine’s Lefkofsky Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the University Of Illinois Law School Aidan Shea Memorial Scholarship. Plus, two new programs will benefit from this year’s event—the Illinois-based nonprofit Foster Progress and the 2023 Celtic Irish American Academy in Galway, Ireland. The open house will feature live music by singer-guitarist Scottie Long.