list.in.to.chicago this week: 09.30.2002

Pick of the week
This is a tough one. I'm going to say Gomez on Tuesday, with Lewis Black a close second, as those are the shows that I have the most confidence in their entertainment value, and for which tickets are still readily available.

Recap
Well, I didn't actually see any of the shows where I wasn't playing, so this list continues to be more about "shows I would go see if I had more time, money and motivation." Lindsie's show on Saturday was well-received, although we probably didn't play our best. That'll happen sometimes.

tuesday through sunday
Chris Potter (Jazz Showcase)
Most of my jazz friends start to visibly drool whenever you mention bassist Dave Holland's Prime Directive band, and saxophonist Potter is one of the reasons why, as evidenced by a lot of chatter among those same jazz friends for this five-day stint as a leader.

9.30   monday
Public Enemy with Dilated Peoples and Blackalicious (House of Blues)
I had the opportunity to see Public Enemy while I was in college. Unfortunately, I was still in that silly narrow-minded musician phase where instrumental prowess trumped songwriting and emotional impact, so I wound up paying little attention from the spotlight booth. Now I know better, and bristle whenever I see someone forward the "rap isn't music" point of view. PE is one of the best arguments to the contrary.

10.01   tuesday
Open Mike (Vaughan's)   SEE COZ LIVE!
Okay, it looks like I'll still be in town this time around. Last week saw the last open mike appearance by Mike Walsh, the other 80s guy, as he is, and I'm not making this up, on a quest to bowl in all fifty states. Also, there are a couple of new folks who should be back this week that are worth checking out.

Gomez with Jason Mraz (The Vic)
I saw these guys at South by Southwest a couple of years ago. On some level, they're sort of a British take on a jam band, with a loose, rubbery vibe to their sound, tempered by BritPop sensibilities that keep them from meandering as much as their American counterparts. I only have one of their records, but based on that, the combination works a bit better live.

10.02   wednesday
Super Furry Animals with Four Tet (Metro)
I was reading enough stories about these guys to pick up their latest album. I seem to recall them being compared to Radiohead, but they almost dive into more a Beach Boys sound at times. Of course, given the near-worship of Brian Wilson and Pet Sounds by the orchestral pop side of indie rock, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution (WBIG radio)   HEAR COZ LIVE!
That's right, yours truly is once again being called upon to do the play-by-play on the radio as the Fire look to advance to the MLS semifinals. I think I'm getting the hang of this.

10.03   thursday
Rachel Yamagata with Chris Gilmarten and Garrison Star (Elbo Room)
Word on the street is that the former Bumpus singer just signed a record deal, which means the opportunities to see her locally may start dwindling. I actually haven't ever seen her, but Bumpus tended to get good reviews, and they sounded good when they used to rehearse down the hall from me. Yamagata is (obviously) getting some buzz as a solo artist, helped along by a month-long Monday night residency at Schuba's that concludes tonight.

10.04   friday
Filter with Trapt (Metro)
This show is sold out, but if you've got a friend with an extra or something, you should check it out. Friend of l.i.t.c. and monster drummer Steve Gillis never lets up for a second, even if he inadvertantly got AOL to block my e-mail address so he won't actually get to read this, and frontman Richard Patrick's antics and onstage banter are entertaining, albeit usually not for the reasons he intended.

Lewis Black (The Vic)
The Daily Show's resident curmudgeon is back in town. Even if he weren't hysterically funny, it would be worth going just to see if he pops a blood vessel from ranting nonstop for an hour or so.

Underwater People (Beck's Alternative Oktoberfest at A. Finkl and Sons)
I note this only because I question how "alternative" said Oktoberfest can be when UP played a regular Oktoberfest just this past weekend.

10.05   saturday
Tito Puente Jr. with Casolando (Cubby Bear)
If the son has even a tiny fraction of the talent of the father, this will be worth it. Casolando is quality stuff as well.

The Atari Star with Written in the Sand (Schuba's)
If Playstation is so cool, why aren't any indie rock bands named after it? I don't know a damn thing about these guys, other than the fact that they are NOT The Ataris, who are playing Metro in November, nor are they Atari Teenage Riot, who may be guilty of starting this whole mess. Can the Intellivision Tour be far behind?

10.06   sunday
Joshua Redman Elastic Band (Martyr's)
Saxophonist Redman's latest project is a trio with keyboardist Sam Yahel and drummer Brian Blade, growing out of a project the three (sorry in advance for the jazz writer cliché) "young lions" put together and released in June called "yaya3." As far as I can tell, this is Redman's version of that band, which was more Yahel's.