Buzz Magazine

There is something to be said in this era of huge concert productions, for a musician to fill a venue, show up with a band, and play. No huge frills, pyrotechnics, or costume changes, just two sets of solid material.

Natalie Merchant came back to Chicago after taking a seven year break, and took the stage as if that hiatus never even happened. Returning to the music scene with the amazing "Leave Your Sleep" 2 cd album, she still gave the same vibe she's so adept at, and that's making you feel like you're in the middle of an after dinner jam session in her living room. There was dancing, fun stories, joking with the crowd (even swiping a cell phone and taking her own pictures!) and all of those things that have you leaving the show with a smile on your face.

We even got a PowerPoint poetry lesson! Slides and Merchant's obvious knowledge and love of poetry prompted her to ask us, "Who says poetry isn't fun?".

Well, I still don't think it is. But it would be if Natalie Merchant became an English professor!

The music however, was the reason we were all there, and as usual, didn't disappoint. Backed by a folk/orchestral band of rotating musicians, Merchant stuck mostly to the "Leave Your Sleep" material, but we did get the favorites intertwined within the two sets. Some of the concertgoers were a little put off by so much focus being on "Leave Your Sleep", and I too would have liked to hear a bit more from "Ophelia" and "Motherland" but the journey the new music takes you on with it's ranging tempos and conceptual lyrics was better than listening to the songs we've known for years.

We did get songs like "Carnival" but reworked to have a fun Flamenco vibe to dress it up and make it shiny and new again. And "Eat For Two" was so haunting and beautiful in the way it was stripped down.

Merchant's voice is as great as it always has been, taking the tempo and genre changes of each song and bringing us right into the journey. Pitch perfect, haunting, and emotional it's no wonder that her music and fan base has remained solid even after a seven year absence.

You definitely came away from this show with a smile and bounce in your step, not even realizing an entire night just went by. Great show, and an amazing performance.

Has it ever ran through your mind what celebrities look like during a certain predicament, event or activity? After seeing Jonny Lang perform at the House of Blues on the 16th of July, I have a solid feeling I know what he really looks like when he is reminiscing, heartbroken, angry, passionate, intimate, thankful and going poo-poo and potty!
 
I hate to disturb any graves or upset any folks who consider Elvis as one of their faves, but his hip "thang" is pale in comparison to the mojo of Jonny Lang!
 
That is, Jonny's jerking movements of his entire body, tensed-up facial expressions and strong, animalistic vocal explosions and guitar playing throughout his show, I swear, must be how he appears during experiencing the big "O!" With that said, I came to conclude that while he performed at last Friday's show he seemed to have 69 or so!
 
Jonny Lang has had quite a ride, given the strapping young lad was invited to play at Mick Jagger's 56th Birthday Bash, where he jammed with Jagger, Bono, Elton John and Ron Wood side by side. (www.jonnylang.com 2010)
 
Plus, when Lang journeyed into the Gospel sound, he was awarded a Grammy for his album "Turn Around" (www.jonnylang.com 2010.)
 
Another notch was added to Jonny's belt when he performed at the White House when Bill Clinton was in office, and gave the President something heartfelt--Rather than giving Clinton a cigar, Jonny gave the President a Fender guitar! (www.jonnylang.com 2010)
 
Now, back to Jonny's Chicago performance where some of the songs he played were "Red Light," "Thankful," "Livin' for the City," "Breakin' Me," "Rack Em' Up" and an encore including "40 Days and 40 Nights" as well as "Lie to me," proving he and his band are undoubtedly some of the most talented jam musicians in existence!
 
Jonny had a Gospel singer do a handful of solos that gave me goosebumps from my gourde straight down to my toes!
 
Also, Jonny revealed he played at the old Fitzgeralds and Buddy Guy's Legends his first trip to Chicago. He elaborated he was really nervous to play at Buddy Guys, and while he did, he looked over and saw Buddy Guy watching him. "So I have a lot of good memories in Chicago," said Jonny while the lights were dim.
 
Right after Jonny left the stage of the House of Blues, I asked fans for their reviews.
 
"Amazing--nothing was missing from the show. It couldn't have been better, and I saw the Rolling Stones twice, and he was better than them," asserted Jill Matthews.
 
(Poor old slick, Mick Jagger, has seemed to have lost some of his swagger.)
 
Breck Reich, another satisfied concert-goer, confessed [Jonny Lang] "was better then John Mayer, and he loves John Mayer!"
 
Additionally, Mark said "the expressions on Jonny's face are real--they show what he's feeling. And we [he and his slightly buzzed buddies] like it best when he whales on the guitar and he did tonight," I agree with Mark whole-heartedly.
 
Lastly, before the interview I had with Jonny on Thursday, his PR had professed he hasn't been up to par and is in need of rest. Nonetheless, the show of his "Live by Request" tour screamed Jonny is still one of the Music Industry's best!
 
Sources:
www.jonnylang.com

*Photos by Tracy Walsh 

Every now and again, I find an up-and-coming local band that instills a sense of hometown pride and the desire to share them with the rest of the world.  Last Friday night marked such an occasion. I had the distinct pleasure of witnessing A Friend Called Fire play live at Lincoln Hall. This show was to commemorate their homecoming as well as the release of their new album, An American Daydream.
 
For those who have yet to hear of A Friend Called Fire, the band consists of Jon Allegretto (vocals and guitar), Aaron J. (drums) and Powers (bass and backing vocals). They are a local rock trio whose music is heavily influenced by rock and classic metal grooves. Despite being relatively new to the scene, AFCF commands attention while also managing to get the girls in a tizzy. For the most part, that's a recipe for success (especially with their coveted demographic).

ACFC was able to combat less than desirable production issues during their set. Not every band can still win over the crowd while battling sound issues. That alone says a lot about AFCF. At times, the sound issues made Jon's vocals hard to decipher but their loyal following picked up the slack by singing along. The crowd favorites included "An American Daydream," "Dance Again," and a cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs."
 
As only an avid music listener, I find it essential to bring an actual musician with me to either thoroughly heighten or challenge my review of the audio experience. For this show, I was accompanied by a bassist who was blown away by the masterful drumming of Aaron J. I’m rarely at a loss of words but my bassist friend summed it up perfectly when he referred to Aaron J. as, “fucking amazing.” Regardless of physically being located in the background, Aaron J.'s talent made him the front runner of the band.

AFCF won me over and perhaps will join the ranks of other legendary Chicago fires. For more information on ACFC,  check them out at http://www.myspace.com/afriendcalledfire or see them perform on August 21st at The House of Blues.