Incoming

As noted on The Hollies Official Facebook page, yesterday marked the 58th Anniversary of the release of their album For Certain Because. Known as Stop Stop Stop here in the States, it was the first record I bought with my own money. (I made $3.00 shoveling snow after the great Chicago blizzard of 1967.) For Certain Because was a breakthrough effort by The Hollies since it was such a creative leap from their previous effort, Bus Stop. The musical adventure continued on Evolution and Butterfly. Anyone who thinks of The Hollies as strictly a hit singles band should spend some time with these three albums.

People with triphobia might want to avoid this next bit. The Chicago-based power trio Triple has just released a three-track EP with a title song named “3.” The band will be part of triple bill with Code Noir and Gremlin at Liar’s Club (1665 W. Fullerton) on December 14.

Scottish singer-songwriter Al Stewart of “Year Of The Cat” fame, and Zombies vocalist/founding member Colin Blunstone will perform two shows together in Arizona early next year. Stewart will be joined by The Empty Pockets, a band he’s performed with here in Chicago. The first concert will be in Phoenix on February 21 and the second will be in Tucson on February 22. Later, Blunstone will embark on a short European solo tour starting with Berlin on April 15th. That Germany gig will be followed by seven April concerts in the Netherlands. 

Vocalist Kate Fagan, whose long career on the Chicago alt rock scene included being a member of BB Spin and Heavy Manners, will host a HoHoHo Holiday Party on December 19 at Chickie Wah Wah in New Orleans, LA. She’ll be joined by Tom Hook, Jeremy Joyce, Sam Albright, and Rich Collins. 21+ Tickets are $24.91

Matthew Sweet, who suffered a serious stroke not long ago, recently posted an inspiring and honest appraisal of his rehabilitation, as well as life in general, on Facebook. He realizes nothing is guaranteed, but stated, “I will try to make music. I will try to. I will try to make art. I will try to express myself, because that is all I have ever known and all that has ever brought me joy, throughout a life filled with more sadness than anyone could know what to do with, than any of us know what to do with, and that’s life.” Here’s wishing Matthew, who gave us hit songs such as “Girlfriend” and “I've Been Waiting,” a full recovery and the return of all that brings him joy.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti is well known for his tribute shows around Chicago (Beatles, Bee Gees, Zombies, etc.) but has also released a series of albums of his own well-crafted pop songs. He has a new single available to download on his Bandcamp page. “False Alarm” is mid-tempo effort with clever lyrics and more of a soulful feel than we’re used to hearing from him.

This post was intended for yesterday but I ran out of time because I needed to catch a train into Chicago for a special preview of my nephew Chef Joe Flamm’s new restaurant il Carciofo in the Fulton Market area. It takes a consistently adventurous approach to cuisine inspired by the restaurants and markets of Rome. For patrons who need help navigating the Italian options on the menu, il Carciofo’s staff is happy to provide expert information and advice. The restaurant officially opens on the December 12; reservations are now available.