I've never been out to the cities out east like NYC, Boston, Baltimore, Philly, or DC, but I have been to a lot of different cities and have yet to find one better than the one I live in--Chicago. I mean, come on, the president's from here. How much better can it get?
It's an unseasonably warm day here in Chi-town. I just got back from walking all over the place. Probably about five miles if I had to guess, but it's just a guess. I walked past Wrigley and down to the lake, which we Chicagoans tend to forget about during the winter months, but man did it look stellar today! I walked back and stopped to have lunch at Harry Caray's by Wrigley, where a cute bartender talked me into spending too much money on a delicious burger, loaded with toppings. She said I would probably fall in love with her because of how good it would be and yes I did.
And now after a couple of lunch beers, a full stomach, and sore legs, I'm ready to write! Yes, this is still a music blog. I'm working up to it.
Two music related things crossed my mind as I was out wandering. One, the warm weather is getting me psyched for SXSW next month. If I had to choose a second favorite city in this nation of ours, it would be Austin, TX. I will be heading down for my 3rd annual trip to SXSW next month. Austin deserves the title of "Live Music Capital of the World". I haven't been to every live music city in the world, but I can't imagine it getting much better than Austin. The airport even has great live music for god's sake! The image I always cut back to in my mind is the first time I ever walked down 6th St. and soaked in the beauty of live music coming out of most of the buildings I walked past. Now I know part of it is solely for SXSW, but part of it is the real deal. This is a city that embraces the wonder that is live music. Put it together with the weird characters, friendly people, delicious food, and beautiful scenery, and you have near perfection. At least from a guy who ends up there once a year.
As I walked around Chicago today, I thought about how underutilized this city's rich music history is. Chicago is the home of the blues. It is one of the cities where America's only true original artform, jazz, developed. It has been home to several great rock acts, like The Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair, Chicago, among others. It has produced rappers like Kanye West and Common. It was the home to Chess Records, which released records from Muddy Waters and countless legends. It produced The Staples Singers and Buddy Guy. It has an underappreciated folk/singer-songwriter history that produced, in my oh so humble opinion, three of the greatest singer-songwriters of the 20th century--John Prine, Steve Goodman, and Michael Smith.
Why doesn't Chicago take more advantage of this rich history? Why isn't there an entertainment district like 6th Street where one can hear live music blaring out of every building? Oh sure, Chicago has some great venues like The Empty Bottle and Schuba's. It has also hosted Lollapalooza for the past few years now, but I still thing the city could cash in quite a bit more if they just embraced the music culture that exists here. Here's a call to Mayor Daley and the Chicago City Council: look at what you have. Utilize it. Why not a Chicago Music Hall of Fame or museum. Take a lesson from Austin. Chicago should be one of the premier music cities in the world, but I'm not sure if it is at this point. The history is there, but as for the present, one word: underutilized.
Second thing I thought about as I walked around The Windy City today, and yes it is pretty windy today (even though the nickname did not come from the gale force winds that usually add insult to injury this time of year)--the aforementioned, Steve Goodman.
My mind often wanders to Steve Goodman when I walk past Wrigley Field, especially on a spring-like day like this. Steve Goodman was and is the epitomy of Chicago and Chicago Cubs fans. He lived and breathed this city. He wrote songs about his horribly underachieving favorite baseball team, about the crooked towing companies, about the famous original machine-politics mayor of Chicago. He had that wry, honest Chicago way about him, much like other famous citizens of this city--Studs Terkel and Mike Royko for example. Goodman and I were never Chicagoans at the same time, as he died in '84, a decade and a half before I would become one down to my bones, but still I feel as if I can identify with him. That speaks volumes to his immense talent.
So as I walked past that great baseball shrine on Clark and Addison, I thought about the man who composed the song that plays now after every Cubs victory. I looked at the stadium, which is being touched up in preparation for the season that is just two months from its beginning, and I could almost hear the refrain, "Hey Chicago, whaddya say, the Cubs are gonna win today". And as I walked past the statues of Ernie Banks at Clark and Addison and Harry Caray at Addison and Sheffield, I thought to myself, "Steve Goodman should be here too."
I propose that a Steve Goodman statue should be put up at the entrance to the bleachers, right at the corner of Sheffield and Waveland. What a more perfect place for the man who encapsulates what it means to be a Cubs fan. I picture the statue being the diminutive Goodman seated with his guitar, wearing a Cubs hat and blue Cubs jacket, seated in the stands singing, "A Dying Cubs Fans Last Request". If I'm not mistaken, and it's been awhile since I've read Clay Eals' amazing Goodman bio, "Facing The Music" so I'm not positive on the facts, Goodman did a piece for a local tv station where he is doing just that. The picture is vivid in my head.
Goodman knew what it was to suffer with the lowly Chicago Cubs. Yet he also knew the joy of being a Cubs fan. Who else, but a hopelessly die hard fan, could write such an optimistic song as, "Go, Cubs, Go". Here is a man who sat in the bleachers on many a warm summer day. He would occasionally bring his guitar and play for the fans. The man bled Cubbie blue and had a deep abiding love for the game of baseball. What better representation for all of the true Cubs fans, than a statue of Steve Goodman. And why not? There stands a statue of a non-player at Sheffield and Addison already. Why not one just down the block too. Maybe save the corner of Clark and Waveland for a Ron Santo statue. Then it's an even two and two. This team as much as any is about the fans as much as the players themselves.
This day is a real tease! Much like the Cubs making it to the playoffs. You know they are going to lose, just like you know that this day is just one glorious anomoly in the midst of another harsh Chicago winter. But in this city, you take advantage of what you have, when you have it. You don't think Mayor Daley's going to milk the Obama connection for all it's worth in his mission to get the 2016 Olympics? Please! He's all over it. It's time the Cubs and the City of Chicago to do the same and embrace the amazing music that is associated with them. There's nothing like Chicago anywhere around. It truly is "My Kind of Town"!
Showing posts with label chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chicago. Show all posts
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
A Sort Of Review Of Wilco @ Lollapalooza
I'm in a forgiving mood tonight. Not that either of the people I was a little upset at even knew, or would even care if they knew I was holding a grudge against them. But nonetheless, I'm cleaning out my karmic closet with these two.
The first is Jim DeRogotis of the Chicago Sun-Times. He and Chicago Tribune rock critic Greg Kot host one of the best radio programs around, called Sound Opinions (NPR). It's billed as the world's only rock and roll talk show and features news, commentary, artist performance/interviews, and other segments as well. It's entertaining and great for music nerds like myself. I had the brilliant idea that I could intern on the program, so I went through the application process, pouring every ounce of love for music and their show into the lengthy application. But no internship for me. Not even an interview! Also, I was upset to learn that Kot and/or DeRogotis (can't remember which, or if it was both) failed to review the excellent Steve Goodman biography by Clay Eals entitled, "Steve Goodman: Facing the Music". So I guess I was holding a grudge against both, but I read the Sun-Times more frequently so DeRogotis got the brunt of my anger. But no more. I read his wrap up piece on Lollapalooza and really liked what he had to say, even though he did pan Dr. Dog. But I wasn't there. Maybe they didn't put on their best show (still check them out!). The guy knows what he's talking about and seems to truly have interesting things to say about music, so I trust his judgment. You are forgiven Jim DeRogotis.
The second forgivee is John Stirratt of Wilco. I had a chance to interview both John and Wilco bandmate, Pat Sansone while I was still in broadcast school. Besides Wilco, they are in a mellow, '70s California rock-styled band called The Autumn Defense. As a huge fan of Wilco, I was thrilled to get this opportunity. I had seen their show the night before and was primed for the interview. But only Pat Sansone showed, as apparently John Stirratt was too tired to do the interview. I took it as a bit of a slight. Who's really going to care if you don't show up to a podcast interview conducted by a couple of broadcast school students? That story didn't make Rolling Stone. Pat was extremely gracious and patient with us afterward as we snapped some "I'm with the rock star" photos. Still, I was a bit irked by the situation.
Here's where the "sort of review" comes in, as well as the forgiveness of Mr. Stirratt. I wasn't actually at Wilco's set at Lollapalooza, but through the magic of You Tube, I caught every song. Granted it was out of order, but I still got the idea. The conclusion I came to is that Wilco has to be up there as one of the most versitile, musically tight, entertaining rock and roll bands around. That's really no news flash to many. In fact, even the horribly written Lolla "official program" acknowledged that sometime within the past few years, Wilco has become the best rock and roll band around. And I have always liked them, but in the midst of watching this set, something clicked. At first when you hear them/watch them, you have a tendency to site the many influences. "Oh, there's the Uncle Tupelo country influence. There's the experimentalism. There's the '70s rock". But after awhile, you realize, it's just Wilco music. Even though each style is quite different from the other, there's a thread of good writing, great playing, and adventure running through the different elements. During last Saturday's set, there's a line Jeff Tweedy sings in the song "Misunderstood" that goes, "You still love rock and roll" and the crowed absolutely erupts. This is rock and roll resurrected. It is exciting, always interesting, and played with skill and passion. How can I remain mad at you, John Stirratt? Just keeping doing what you do and I'll forget all about our past troubles.
I do admit, though, I haven't been able to fully throw my support behind "Sky, Blue, Sky". I like it, don't get me wrong, but it's heavy on the mellow end of the spectrum. I like mellow, but I also like it when Wilco busts out a song like "I'm a Wheel". At the same time, this is Wilco for you. They don't let you get too comfortable with one style. Probably why they have been called by some as the American Radiohead. I wouldn't quite agree with that comparison, beyond the fact that they both are unafraid to experiment. But I get it. It is one of the things that makes Radiohead so interesting as well. It's the "what will they come up with next?" ethic. Which is why even though I'm undecided on "Sky, Blue, Sky", I'll keep coming back.
Did you see the Nudie suits too? The Nudie suit is generally thought of as a country/western deal, but they pull it off. It's fitting too that one of the other great adventurous spirits of music over the past 40 years, Gram Parsons, was also a fan of the bedazzled Nudie suit. Gram Parsons and Jeff Tweedy wear the Nudie suit a little bit differently, though. Gram's had a flaming cross and a marijuana leaf on it, while Tweedy's had one of those waving kitties you see at Chinese restaurants. Gram's may have been slightly more badass, but Tweedy still pulled it off. And anyone who looks comfortable in a red Nudie suit, is cool in my book. My old friend Pat Sansone looked slightly less comfortable, but the dude is an amazing musician, so he could wear backward Kriss Kross era clothes and still be cool in my book as well.
The first is Jim DeRogotis of the Chicago Sun-Times. He and Chicago Tribune rock critic Greg Kot host one of the best radio programs around, called Sound Opinions (NPR). It's billed as the world's only rock and roll talk show and features news, commentary, artist performance/interviews, and other segments as well. It's entertaining and great for music nerds like myself. I had the brilliant idea that I could intern on the program, so I went through the application process, pouring every ounce of love for music and their show into the lengthy application. But no internship for me. Not even an interview! Also, I was upset to learn that Kot and/or DeRogotis (can't remember which, or if it was both) failed to review the excellent Steve Goodman biography by Clay Eals entitled, "Steve Goodman: Facing the Music". So I guess I was holding a grudge against both, but I read the Sun-Times more frequently so DeRogotis got the brunt of my anger. But no more. I read his wrap up piece on Lollapalooza and really liked what he had to say, even though he did pan Dr. Dog. But I wasn't there. Maybe they didn't put on their best show (still check them out!). The guy knows what he's talking about and seems to truly have interesting things to say about music, so I trust his judgment. You are forgiven Jim DeRogotis.
The second forgivee is John Stirratt of Wilco. I had a chance to interview both John and Wilco bandmate, Pat Sansone while I was still in broadcast school. Besides Wilco, they are in a mellow, '70s California rock-styled band called The Autumn Defense. As a huge fan of Wilco, I was thrilled to get this opportunity. I had seen their show the night before and was primed for the interview. But only Pat Sansone showed, as apparently John Stirratt was too tired to do the interview. I took it as a bit of a slight. Who's really going to care if you don't show up to a podcast interview conducted by a couple of broadcast school students? That story didn't make Rolling Stone. Pat was extremely gracious and patient with us afterward as we snapped some "I'm with the rock star" photos. Still, I was a bit irked by the situation.
Here's where the "sort of review" comes in, as well as the forgiveness of Mr. Stirratt. I wasn't actually at Wilco's set at Lollapalooza, but through the magic of You Tube, I caught every song. Granted it was out of order, but I still got the idea. The conclusion I came to is that Wilco has to be up there as one of the most versitile, musically tight, entertaining rock and roll bands around. That's really no news flash to many. In fact, even the horribly written Lolla "official program" acknowledged that sometime within the past few years, Wilco has become the best rock and roll band around. And I have always liked them, but in the midst of watching this set, something clicked. At first when you hear them/watch them, you have a tendency to site the many influences. "Oh, there's the Uncle Tupelo country influence. There's the experimentalism. There's the '70s rock". But after awhile, you realize, it's just Wilco music. Even though each style is quite different from the other, there's a thread of good writing, great playing, and adventure running through the different elements. During last Saturday's set, there's a line Jeff Tweedy sings in the song "Misunderstood" that goes, "You still love rock and roll" and the crowed absolutely erupts. This is rock and roll resurrected. It is exciting, always interesting, and played with skill and passion. How can I remain mad at you, John Stirratt? Just keeping doing what you do and I'll forget all about our past troubles.
I do admit, though, I haven't been able to fully throw my support behind "Sky, Blue, Sky". I like it, don't get me wrong, but it's heavy on the mellow end of the spectrum. I like mellow, but I also like it when Wilco busts out a song like "I'm a Wheel". At the same time, this is Wilco for you. They don't let you get too comfortable with one style. Probably why they have been called by some as the American Radiohead. I wouldn't quite agree with that comparison, beyond the fact that they both are unafraid to experiment. But I get it. It is one of the things that makes Radiohead so interesting as well. It's the "what will they come up with next?" ethic. Which is why even though I'm undecided on "Sky, Blue, Sky", I'll keep coming back.
Did you see the Nudie suits too? The Nudie suit is generally thought of as a country/western deal, but they pull it off. It's fitting too that one of the other great adventurous spirits of music over the past 40 years, Gram Parsons, was also a fan of the bedazzled Nudie suit. Gram Parsons and Jeff Tweedy wear the Nudie suit a little bit differently, though. Gram's had a flaming cross and a marijuana leaf on it, while Tweedy's had one of those waving kitties you see at Chinese restaurants. Gram's may have been slightly more badass, but Tweedy still pulled it off. And anyone who looks comfortable in a red Nudie suit, is cool in my book. My old friend Pat Sansone looked slightly less comfortable, but the dude is an amazing musician, so he could wear backward Kriss Kross era clothes and still be cool in my book as well.
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