CD Review: Chester French - Love The Future

Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2010. This first post of the new year is actually a reprint of a review I had published in the Illinois Entertainer earlier this year.

A duo comprised of vocalist D.A. Wallach and multi-instrumentalist Max Drummey, Chester French revels in doing the unexpected on Love The Future. A somber opening track sung in Spanish serves as an ironic introduction to the fun that follows on this ambitious debut. Catchy indie rock songs stop and start again, sometimes drifting into lilting classic music or something out of a 1930s Hollywood musical.

It’s tempting to compare Chester French to The Flight Of The Conchords, but Wallach and Drummey have more in common with the witty pop observations of Fountains Of Wayne and Squeeze. On “Bebe Buell,” an aspiring musician looks for love in L.A., while the acoustic “Beneath The Veil” deals with attending one’s own funeral. “Neal,” a satiric look at an average guy’s trudge through life, has a peppy ska arrangement, while the simple and goofy “Fingers” smacks of vaudeville. And if all this genre-hopping wasn’t enough, Chester French could score a dance club hit with the infectious “She Loves Everybody.”

Four Auld Lang Songs, My Friend

One of the reasons people get so misty-eyed at the end of It’s A Wonderful Life is because the family, friends, and neighbors who gather together to save George Bailey’s butt all start singing “Auld Lang Syne.”

The song has always had a bittersweet ambience: A celebration of the loved ones we’ve cherished throughout our lives, and 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, probably nobody under 30 even knows who he is, although his version is available on iTunes. Somehow, 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 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 Ho Ho Ho Spice CD. The guitar-driven, slightly Celtic, power pop arrangement and Deena Shoskkes’s spirited vocals cast out any trace of sadness and offer instead an exhilarating sense of triumph. The journey’s over; the quest has been successful; we’ve won.

2009 was another grueling, emotionally draining year but we’ve survived it. Let’s hope for happier circumstances in 2010, but also understand that we’ll have to work hard, and do a much better job of getting along with each other.

Every Time A Guitar Rings - - - Part Two

Sid & Susie photo from the Susanna Hoffs Facebook Page.

Additional Live Highlights From 2009. Let's hope 2010 brings us more great rock and roll.

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs at Old Town School Of Folk Music - As the duo Sid & Susie, solo artist Sweet and Bangles singer-guitarist Hoffs have recorded two Under The Covers CDs filled with their inspired interpretations of 1960s and 1970s hit singles. Their acoustic live show, with guitarist Paul Chastain was a freewheeling mix of anecdotes, audience participation, and all those great songs.

Fest For Beatles Fans at Hyatt Regency - Each August, this multi-media extravaganza of all things Fab Four comes together in Rosemont. In addition to performances by Greg Hawkes from The Cars and Ronnie Spector, there were nightly shows by Liverpool, one of the best of the Beatles cover bands.

Rock Art Show at Arlington Park Race Track - No live performances here - - just an opportunity to view art and photographs created by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and several other famous musicians. Rock Art Show also has an amazing collection of vintage concert posters.

Halloween Weekend Tribute Shows at The Abbey Pub - Two fun nights of musical impersonations. Phil Angotti’s band became Squeeze, Penthouse Sweets became The Sex Pistols, Tomorrow The Moon became The Psychedelic Furs, and The Webstirs became Fleetwood Mac. Several other tributes that weekend were spot on as well.

Lin Brehmer’s Birthday Bash at Arlington Park - The WXRT morning man celebrated his big day with a festive remote broadcast that featured dynamic live performances by Alice Peacock and Jon Langford’s Skull Orchard.

Celtic Fest in Grant Park - With all the talk of cuts in the city of Chicago’s outdoor festival budget, let’s hope Mayor Daley keeps this annual gathering of music acts from around the globe. Among this year’s many highlights were the acappella vocal group Navan, and the teenage prodigies from the Academy Of Irish Music.

Ralph’s World at Palatine Street Fest - Just as he does with his power pop songs for The Bad Examples, kids music superstar Ralph Covert fills ditties like “Happy Not My Birthday” and “Dinosaur Rumble” with clever lyrics and infectious melodies.

Every Time A Guitar Rings - - - Part One

Charlie(DeGaulle)’s Angels? French garage rockers The Plastiscines

Looking back on the past 12 months, I was tempted to wallow in self pity because I only went to a fraction of the concerts I would have liked to have seen. But then Clarence The Angel appeared, dressed in a baseball style cap with an WXRT logo, a Fountains Of Wayne t-shirt and faded jeans. With a playful smile, he set down his paperback copy of I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone, and whisked me back to some of my favorite live performances of 2009. After reliving those musical moments, my heavenly guide said in his gravelly voice, “You see, Terrence, you really did have a wonderful rock and roll year.” And so, in no particular order, here are some of those memories.

The Plastiscines at Bottom Lounge - These young Parisian women had already proven they could create authentic American style garage rock with LP1 and About Love. Their June 15th appearance at this west side club as part of Nylon Magazine’s Summer Music Tour proved they could bring it live as well.

The Smithereens at Lake View Fest - Performing literally right next to Wrigley Field, this veteran power pop band roared through original classics and did a great job covering selections from The Who’s Tommy.

The Handcuffs at Taste Of Lincoln Avenue - I celebrated part of my birthday last July at this bustling street fest, where lead vocalist-guitarist Chloe F. Orwell and drummer Brad Elvis led their co-ed band through catchy gems from their two impressive CDs, Electroluv and Model For A Revolution.

International Pop Overthrow at The Abbey Pub - This two-week celebration of ringing guitars and irresistible melodies visits clubs around the Windy City every April. The 2009 line-up offered the usual exciting mix of area bands, including The Lackloves, 92 Degrees, and The Valley Downs, as well as overseas visitors like the U.K. band, Anison.

The Posies at Randolph Street Fest - The Seattle-based band reunited to perform their entire power pop masterpiece Frosting On The Beater last June at this most trendy of street fests.

Jon Auer/Fountains Of Wayne Acoustic Show at Park West - A few weeks later, Posies vocalist-guitarist Auer opened for Fountains Of Wayne, armed only with his acoustic guitar. Fountains Of Wayne also switched to acoustic instruments while they performed “Hey, Julie” and several other melodic hits.

Ring In The New - Part Two

DinoPetty graphic taken from Tributosaurus website.

More last minute suggestions for fun ways to close out 2009.

Tributosaurus has made quite a name for itself by performing a tribute to a different musical act each month, usually at Martyrs on Lincoln Avenue, and occasionally at Park West and other venues. Core members Curt Morrison, Chris Neville, Dan Leali, Jon Paul, and Matt Spiegel enlist guest musicians to help out, and are so detail-oriented they describe the experience as “becoming” their chosen artists. For $35, you can watch Tributosaurus, along with Grant Tye and Greg Suran, play Tom Petty’s biggest hits as well as several of his album tracks at Martyrs on New Year’s Eve. If you got Petty’s The Anthology Live box set for Christmas and are aching to recreate some of those dynamic performances in a club setting, this could be a New Year’s Eve to remember. 773-404-9494

Durty Nellies in Palatine scored a major coup with its booking of The Smoking Popes for New Year’s Eve. The Chicago-based, highly influential cutting-edge rock band broke up in 1999 after eight years, but came together for a well-received reunion show at Metro in 2005. The Smoking Popes decided to stick around, and released the critically acclaimed Stay Down in 2008. It’s Been A Long Day, a collection of the band’s early indie material plus some previously unreleased tracks, is scheduled to drop in early 2010, but fans will be able to buy copies at Durty Nellies. Admission for the show, which also includes opening acts Chicago alt-rockers Makeshift Prodigy and the Texas three-woman band Girl In A Coma, is $55. 847-358-9150

People looking to add a little Chicago skyline to their revelry can make reservations for Rock N’ Roll New Year’s Eve Experience, which is sponsored by The Signature Room at The 95th and 97.1 The Drive. The lavish setting, way up in the Hancock Building, is a definite change of venue for The New Invaders, who are used to performing their spirited covers of mid to late 1960s rock songs at outdoor festivals and clubs around the Chicago area. This fun band faithfully recreates a wide range of material, using talented singers, musicians, and go-go-girls. In addition to The Byrds, The Monkees, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin, they’ll probably throw in a few tunes by recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, The Hollies. Also joining in the merrymaking are The Tony Calderisi Trio and Soda. (Sorry, couldn't find a website for either of these acts.) The $200 per person ticket price covers gourmet food, an open bar, and dancing. The Signature Room is also a unique place to watch the midnight fireworks going off at nearby Navy Pier. 312-787-9596

Finally, a tip of the party hat to musicians-actors-filmmakers James and Carla, who will be hosting a BYOB shindig for a few friends at their new Black Forest space in Evanston. This one isn’t open to the public, but their unique, mixed-media shows soon will be, and I wish them the best of luck for a successful season in 2010.

Ring In The New - Part One

Graphic from Fearon's Public House Website.

Just a few last minute suggestions for festive things to do in the Chicagoland area this New Year’s Eve.

The Pat DiNizio Trio, featuring the distinctive vocalist-guitarist from The Smithereens will kick off a three-night stand starting on New Year’s Eve at Fearon’s Public House at 3001 N. Ashland Avenue in Chicago. DiNizio has dubbed his trio’s round of gigs “Confessions Of A Rock Star,” which is also the name of his printed autobiography, as well as a soon-to-be-released multi-disc audiobook that will include several rare solo performances. I couldn’t find any info on what material DiNizio will play at Fearon’s or learn the identity of the other members of his trio, but it’s a safe bet this will be a fun night of power pop music. Plus, there’s no cover charge, and Fearon’s is offering a complimentary buffet. The music starts at 9PM. 773-248-0990

If you shell out $85 for a Rock Ticket to the New Years Eve Rock’n’Roll Ball at The Intercontinental Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, you’ll have an opportunity to be part of ABC7’s “Countdown Chicago 2010” TV live broadcast. You’ll also get to see a pretty good band in The Gin Blossoms, who are poised to release their latest CD, Major Lodge Victory. The single “Learning The Hard Way” is already available on iTunes. Chicago rock veterans The Nicholas Tremulis Band are scheduled to open for The Gin Blossoms in the Rock Room. The Ball is being billed as three parties with one ticket since you can also catch Too White Crew and The Breakfast Club in the Party Room, and groove to DJ Roland in the Club Room. Price includes a 4 hour open bar and party favors. WXRT and The Reader are among the sponsors for this event. 847-544-5300

The Mary-Arrchie Theatre is holding a Misfits NYE Party again this year at its storefront location at 735 W. Sheridan Road. Artistic Director Rich Cotovsky and his crew have plenty to celebrate since their recent run of Fin Kennedy’s How To Disappear Completely And Never Be Found was a commercial as well as critical success. Note: this free BYOB Karaoke Bash is geared toward the acting community, although the Facebook invitation I saw says, “all party hoppers welcome.” This could be a great opportunity for newcomers to acquaint themselves with a theatre that has been on the cutting edge for 24 years.

Coming Next: More last minute NYE suggestions.

Walking In The Air

There are a lot of fun things to do in the winter but none could match the adventure a little boy experiences in Raymond Briggs’ 1982 Academy Award nominated short film, The Snowman.

There is no dialogue, but the beautiful crayon-like animation perfectly conveys the range of emotions a young English lad feels when the snowman he made comes to life at midnight. The boy invites the snowman in and has some funny mishaps while showing him around the house before the pair goes for an exciting motorcycle ride through the woods. The film’s high point is when the snowman whisks the boy off on a flight to the North Pole for a one-night visit with Santa Claus.

All of this action is set to Howard Blake’s rousing score, which is performed by the Sinfonia Of London. Peter Autry, a young boy from St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir, sings the inspiring ballad “Walking In The Air.” The soundtrack CD is virtually impossible to find, but at least the film is finally available on DVD.

Watching The Snowman has become a holiday tradition for me and my wife. It was also a one of my mother's favorite films. Merry Christmas to all who visit this blog.