Slumgullion

For anyone interested in checking out the new Henry Diltz Music Is Love photography exhibition that opened at the Elverhoj Museum Of History And Art in Solvang today, it’s not as far away as you might think. Especially if you live on the west coast of the U.S.A. Solvang is a city in California near Santa Barbara. Diltz is one of rock and roll’s premier photographers; well known for his work with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Doors, The Eagles, The Hollies, and other bands. According to the online Lompoc Record, the exhibition will cover his entire career, with a special section devoted to the late David Crosby.

This one’s a little farther away, mate. Rust For Glory, a Neil Young tribute band that’s based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Young’s Harvest album on June 3 at The Broadway in Barking. They’ll be part of the venue’s Neil Young Day festivities, along with a screening of the Harvest Time documentary and a presentation by author Daryl Easlea. Admission for all three Neil Young Day events is £36.50.

Depending on what time you see this, there might still be time to catch the four-act Big Blast Records showcase taking place at the Gallery Cabaret in Chicago tonight. I’m familiar with Dolph Chaney and The Phins, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, and the Mark Watson Band, but the uncertainly named Very Nearly Hardly Never Maybe, who kick things off at 9:00, are a new one on me. Their Facebook page promises “80s Beat Box Drumming, Metal Guitar, Honky-tonk bass, Blondie-esque vocals.” 

It was touching to see all the tributes to Tina Turner across social media from fans as well as some of rock and roll’s most famous musicians following the news that she had passed away. Turner’s decades-long career was a prime example of how strength and talent can overcome serious obstacles. Rock In Paradise, Tina.  

The TAFKAVINCE Band has a record release party for its A Problematic Opera album coming up at Liar’s Club this Sunday at 9:00 pm. Also known as The Artist Formally Known As Vince, these guys are long-time participants at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago, and take a fun, glam approach to rock and roll.

Indie rock singer-songwriter Juliana Hatfield will continue her string of unpredictable tribute albums on the American Laundromat Records label with the release of Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO. The 10 songs, which include “Strange Magic,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” and “Telephone Line,” will be available on cassette, CD, and various shades of vinyl come November 17. There’s a snippet of “Don’t Bring Me Down” on the American Laundromat website and its sounds really cool.

The Chicago Reader, one of the city’s longest-running free publications, will celebrate its annual Best Of Chicago issue with an event at Metro and Smart Bar next Thursday, June 1. The VIP version has a 5:30 start time at nearby GMAN Tavern, with the general admission event getting underway at Metro at 7:00 pm. Joseph Chilliams, Dos Santos, Bonita Appleblunt, Lillie West, and Ryan the Person will be performing. A Pride Kickoff afterparty with DJs Rae Chardonnay, Blesstonio, and VITIGRRL at Smartbar at 10 p.m will serve as the grand finale. Tickets for the Best Of Chicago Celebration range from $20 to $125.

Fresh off his success with International Pop Overthrow - Chicago, CFO/Founder David Bash will cross the pond to present IPO - Liverpool at The Cavern Club from May 28 through June 4. A quick glance at the schedule shows familiar acts such as Lannie Flowers, Ex-Norwegian, Dave Rave, The Jeremy Band, Spygenius, and The Len Price 3.

Another summer season of viewing paintings and sculptures outdoors in pleasant Chicago weather is upon us. The 57th Street Art Fair takes place next Saturday and Sunday (June 3 and 4); the Old Town Art Fair and the Wells Street Art Fair will be held on the weekend of June 10 and 11; and the Gold Coast Art Fair returns to Grant Park on June 17.

Judging from all the posts on social media, the Nuggets - A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of The Nuggets Compilation event held last Friday at Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA was a rousing success. The Benefit Concert For The Autism Healthcare Collaborative was organized by Paul Rock’s Wild Honey Foundation, writer/producer Lenny Kaye, and Rhino Records. As with past Wild Honey events, multiple well-known musicians gathered to help out. According to a Facebook post from Paul Rock, the event will made available on blu-ray, etc at some point in the future.

Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends have a record release show for Krumm’s debut solo effort Just Fade Away next Friday, June 2 at Liar’s Club. His Pravda Records label mates The Handcuffs will also be on the bill, along with North Carolina hard rock/punk band Electric Frankenstein. Liar’s Club is located at 1665 W. Fullerton in Chicago.

According to The Who’s official Facebook page, Pete Towshend’s 1980 solo album Empty Glass and his 1977 collaboration with Ronnie Lane Rough Mix will be will be released as half-speed vinyl masters on June 23.

The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago, which will hold its Blue Jean Gala next Friday, June 2. St. Paul And The Broken Bones will perform at the event, with an After Party with Funkadesi. A Graham Nash-signed guitar will be among the items auctioned to raise funds for the venue. Participants can also bid on a trip to Ireland, a private concert by Chicago alt rock/Americana band Dolly Varden, and other options. WXRT morning drive air personality Marty Lennartz will host the evening’s festivities.

Carlos, a new documentary about the life and multiple achievements of legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, will receive its world premiere on June 17 at the Tribeca Festival in New York City. The actual release date for Carlos will be revealed at some point in the future.

Peter Asher of Peter And Gordon will join Jeremy Clyde of Chad and Jeremy for a performance on June 23 at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago. They’ll perform the hits their duos scored back in the 1960s, and share memories of that era as well. I’ve seen these guys together and separately in the past, and their sense of humor plays a major part in making their shows so entertaining.

Tellin’ Tales Theatre’s latest presentation is titled Divercity: Refocusing Disability, and will offer performances by artists, writers, and advocates with disabilities. Directed by founding member Tekki Lomnicki, Divercity: Refocusing Disability will run at the Greenhouse Theater Center on the weekend of June 9 – 11.

 

Liz Phair’s Guyville Tour, with special guest Blondshell, kicks off on November 7 in El Cajon, California. Phair will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of her groundbreaking Exile In Guyville by performing the entire album, along with some of her best-known songs. She’ll be in her hometown on November 18 for a show at the Chicago Theatre. Other stops on the tour include Los Angeles, Tucson, San Francisco, Nashville, and Washington, D.C.

In addition to buying his new album Now, Graham Nash fans in the New York can check out his Enduring Images photography exhibit at City Winery NYC through July 11. The photographs can be purchased through the City Winery website.

The documentary Have You Got It Yet? - The Story Of Syd Barrett And Pink Floyd  opened recently at Everyman Cinemas across the U.K, and is expected to arrive in America sometime this summer. Directed by Roddy Bogawa and Storm Thorgeson, it’s narrated by Jason Issacs and features new interviews with Pink Floyd members Roger Waters, David Gilmour, and Nick Mason regarding their brilliant but troubled former band member.

The new State Of Sound exhibit now open at Navy Pier  is a pop-up version of the award-winning exhibition that was held at the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield, and celebrates Illinois-based stars such as Muddy Waters; Material Issue; Kevin Lee, Earth, Wind & Fire; Chicago; Chance the Rapper; Wilco; Shoes; and Cheap Trick. Admission is free, and you’ll find the exhibit at Festival Hall A in the lower level lobby of Navy Pier through Aug. 27.

Also, just a quick note about leaving Comments for posts on Broken Hearted Toy. I greatly appreciate people taking the time to make a Comment, and I apologize for not noticing them for quite a long while. This was an oversight on my part and not intentional.