list.in.to.chicago this week: 01.24.2005

Hey, this thing's actually out at it's normal time this week, which can only mean that I had a gig last night and took a half-day off today. Technically, it can probably mean more than that, but just play along, would ya?

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Pick of the week
In terms of highly regarded guitarists, you've got Buddy Guy (Wednesday at Legends) and Larry Coryell (Thursday through Sunday at the Jazz Showcase). Then you've got a local band closing the book on their run in Woolworthy (Friday at Double Door) and another that's on the rise in The Changes (Saturday at Empty Bottle).

list.in.to.COZ
Starting to roll again, with Diver at Fado on Friday and Abi Cruz at Elbo Room on Saturday. Of course, there's also the weekly Vaughan's open jam, and I may sit in with my friend Andrew Fraker on Thursday night at Messner's.

Recap
Oh, come on, like you went out in the snow this weekend. I had every intention of going to see Marigold Engine on Saturday, but getting in and out of parking spaces just looked like it would suck too much, and I hate the whole "saving" of spaces in the snow that everybody does here.

And I knew I shouldn't have tempted fate by playing up the fact that it's not a Diver show until somebody crashes into the stage, because it happened at least four times last night. Avi was almost seriously injured by a very tall (and very happy) Philadelphia Eagles fan.

1.24   monday
Typhanie Monique/Neal Alger Duo (Green Mill)
My first encounter with vocalist Typhanie Monique was when she took on the then-unenviable task of replacing Astra Kelly in Sumo. That was a good three or four years ago, and as far as I know, she's still holding court Sunday nights at Elbo Room with the band. Obviously, this is likely to be a more understated, jazzy affair.

1.25   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
If you missed my stunning rendtion of "Don't Eat The Yellow Snow/Nanook Rubs It" last week, it's looking like it will still be entirely appropriate for an encore performance. Also, I might tackle The Darkness, although whether or not I do the crazy falsetto bits is still up in the air. As always, if you play or sing, and want to join the festivities, please do. If you heard me hack through the aforementioned Zappa bit last week, you'll know the bar isn't set terribly high.

1.26   wednesday
Buddy Guy with Brother John (Buddy Guy's Legends)
It's January, so that must mean we're in the thick of the monthlong homestand by the legendary Chicago bluesman. This, I think, is the only remaining show on the docket that's not sold out.

Dremana with A.R.E. Weapons, Terminal Bliss, Backyard Tire Fire (Metro)
I haven't seen much of Dremana lately, so I'd be curious to see where they've taken their sound, especially when you consider the rise of bands like Evanescence -- actually, just Evanescence -- since they emerged on the scene.

Long Count Quartet (Tryst)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
It's free jazz! Well, actually, it's more hard bop or maybe post-bop, but there's no cover. It's not like they're doing weird avant-garde stuff or anything.

1.27   thursday
Queensryche (House of Blues)   SOLD OUT!
A kind commenter brought to my attention last week that "Silent Lucidity" was actually on the Empire album, not Operation: Mindcrime. Also, Monica Kendrick puts aside pithy musical commentary to make less pithy political commentary with regard to the topical staying power of the latter album.

Larry Coryell Trio (Jazz Showcase)
Jazz guitarist Coryell tends to have one or two of these stands a year, with Larry Gray on bass and Paul Wertico on drums, and must have incriminating photos of Jazz Showcase owner Joe Segal. That's got to be the only way he gets to have just a four-night run instead of the usual six. Through Sunday.

Andrew Fraker (Messner's)   FRIEND OF COZ!
Bumped into Andrew at the Diver gig last night and he mentioned that he's got a couple of regular nights doing the acoustic covers thing at the Wrigleyville spot, and there's a better than average chance that I'll drop by and lend some percussion this week.

1.28   friday
Diver (Fado)   SEE COZ LIVE!
As a totally impartial observer, I have to say that we kinda rocked last night, even if we were a little rough around the edges at times. So here's thinking that trend will continue. Have I mentioned how good the potato pancake quesadilla is?

Woolworthy with Cisco Pike, The Ladies and Gentlemen, The Violent Hour (Double Door)
I swear I've seen Woolworthy at some point or another, so I'm reasonably sure they're nominally somewhere between punk and indie rock. But I'm not sure. On some level, that speaks to their ubiquity on the scene for however many years they've been at it, but that run comes to a close with this, their farewell show.

Abstract Giants with Treologic, Bad News Jones, Farm Crew, Star People (Metro)
This looks like one of the first of many tsunami relief shows in Chicago, so it stands as a good opportunity to support a good cause and see a bunch of bands you don't know anything about. Again, I feel like I need to recharge my batteries and get some new bands on my radar, so if I didn't have a gig, this would look good. Although I can't tell if putting a band called "Bad News Jones" on a tsunami relief gig is funny, ironic or inappropriate.

Alter Bridge with Silvertide, Submersed (Congress Theater)
After a run of sold-out shows at House of Blues last year, the former Creed members are back again either too soon after that, or in too big of a venue, as the demand doesn't seem to be quite what it was for the HOB shows.

Queensryche (House of Blues)   SOLD OUT!
Larry Coryell Trio (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.

1.29   saturday
Abi Cruz with Chinchilla Fury, Second Sound, Divebar (Elbo Room)   SEE COZ LIVE!
I'll admit, I'm not just playing drums in this band to create cognitive dissonance, but it's just so much fun telling people that know me that I'm in a Puerto Rican hip-hop/Latin soul band. I figure the curiosity alone might bring people out.

The Changes with The Ms (Empty Bottle)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Of all the venues I've seen the Changes play, the Empty Bottle is one of them. No, seriously, I seem to recall one of their memorable shows way down on Western Avenue, and The Ms have a certain amount of buzz going as well, so if the weather isn't too catastrophically sucky, there's a chance this could sell out.

John Wesley Harding with Dag Juhlin (Schubas)
To be honest, I don't really know what Harding has done since I saw him way the hell back in 1989, but I enjoyed him then. I also remember him having a particularly sharp sense of humor, which should make him a good fit with former Slug Dag Juhlin.

The Blind Boys Of Alabama with The Chicago Children's Choir (Governor's State University Center For The Performing Arts)
I have no idea where University Park is, but you have to wonder -- and yes, I'm going to burn in hell for this -- if they'll just tell these excellent gospel singers they're playing the Chicago Theatre.

Queensryche (House of Blues)   SOLD OUT!
Larry Coryell Trio (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.

1.30   sunday
Nicholas Barron's Hyperactive (Long Room)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
If I still have to explain who these guys are and what they play, then I'm guessing it's a slow day and you usually don't read all the way through.

Larry Coryell Trio (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.