list.in.to.chicago this week: 12.03.2007

Wiseass!Coz seems to have made an appearance. And after all the Metromix-fueled mistakes of the past couple of weeks, I would advise double-checking anything you see here before you actually leave the house.

read list.in.to.chicago on the web at www.notabbott.com/litc

Pick of the week
The two I've got penciled into my calendar are Youssou N'Dour at House of Blues on Wednesday and Jonathan Coulton at Schubas on Saturday.

list.in.to.COZ
If you're willing to schlep down to Palos Heights on Friday, I've got a Diver show for you.

Recap
So I ended up at Wise Fools Pub on Friday night, for what was apparently "four-piece band with keyboards night." I only caught two songs from Lacona. One was by Radiohead. The other did a pretty good job of sounding like Radiohead, so I might try to check them out again. And I've given Al Weber stick about his drummer in the past, so I'm pleased to say that I liked the guy he's got behind him now in Weberband. Unfortunately, something about the weather seemed to be wreaking havoc on the bass player's intonation, to the point where I could barely focus on anything else. And due to the almost interminable break before they went on, I only saw about three songs from the Chris Buehrle Band. Both Weber and Buehrle are a little outside of my sweet spot with the reliance on acoustic guitar and keyboards, but if that's up your alley, you'll probably like them.

12.03   monday
Patricia Barber Quartet (Green Mill)
On the one hand, the well-regarded jazz pianist/vocalist is a bit of a "break glass in case of emergency" listing, but on the other, I think she goes away on tour from time to time, so it's not like she's totally part of the Chicago music scene furniture.

12.04   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Did I say I had the late soccer game last week? I meant this week. And next week. So, maybe a late cameo.

The Blissters with Vanilla Curve, The Blackberries (Elbo Room)
Is this the band with Jeff Tweedy's kid, or the band with the same name but with one more "s"?

12.05   wednesday
Youssou N'Dour (House of Blues)
It's been over twenty years, but I still think N'Dour is going to have to live with being the guy who does the crazy vocal part at the end of "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, rather than being known as one of Senegal's most legendary artists who even made it to the silver screen recently in the critically-acclaimed Amazing Grace

The Musical Box (The Vic)
As big a fan as I am of old Genesis, there's something about this tribute band that's a little creepy, in that they actually use a lot of the props and costumes that Peter Gabriel (there he is again) and the band used back in the early 70s.

12.06   thursday
The Musical Box (The Vic)
On the other hand, that sort of means that they're actually living the Genesis song "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)." And I can't possibly be the first one to use that joke.

Michael McDonald (Chicago Theatre)
Did the former Doobie Brother manage to time his recent appearance on Family Guy with a tour? If he's that hip, I'm impressed. If not, I guess that's just what a fool believes.

David Gray with Joshua James (Park West)   SOLD OUT!
If you want it, you can't come and get it, 'cause it's sold out, for cryin' out loud. Babble on.

12.07   friday
Diver (Trio, Palos Heights)   SEE COZ LIVE!
Okay, the last foray to the southwest side ended up getting canceled, so we'll have to wait until to night to see if the third time is the charm for not getting crazy blonde women interacting with the band.

Concert for Senator Barack Obama (Riviera Theatre)
I'm not listing this one to be political, although I am a big fan of our junior senator from Illinois. It's just interesting to me that he's solidifying his younger, urban base here in Chicago with the likes of Jeff Tweedy, Jill Sobule and "Friends of Coz" The Changes. I would have figured he'd be in good shape with that demographic, but then again, you don't want to take them for granted and you do kind of need to take their money. I almost went to a political fundraiser once. If you want to guess for whom, use the comments.

Lawrence Hobgood Quartet (Green Mill)
The local jazz pianist is perhaps best known for his work with the likes of Kurt Elling and Paul Wertico. At least I think he's played with Wertico.

Yakuza with Head of Skulls, Auxes (Empty Bottle)
If I were industrious, I would go back and compile a list of bands I've said I want to see but haven't, just to see who got the most mentions. Then, if I were really industrious, I would try to book them all for one show to just get it out of the way. Surprisingly, Chris Frantisak is NOT in this band.

State and Madison with Last Fast Action, Anchondo, Erika Lauren (Reggie's Rock Club)
You knew I wouldn't be able to resist this one. State and Madison playing at State and, what, Cermak?

Cold War Kids with AA Bondy, We Barbarians (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
I didn't care for these guys when I saw them at Bonnaroo, but apparently there are at least 1,000 people out there who don't agree with me. Probably more.

12.08   saturday
Jonathan Coulton with Paul and Storm (Schubas)
Having used the "NPR if it were a band" label for The Decemberists, I don't know what I'm left with for singer/songwriter Coulton, who sort of falls in the same overly literate category, but with a lot more wit. I saw him perform alongside John Hodgman (of Daily Show/"I'm a PC" fame) and it was hilarious. And, again, the best song about zombies that I've ever heard.

The Redwalls with Jonathan Rice, The Whigs (Metro)
Much ink has been spilled over how The Redwalls seem to have grown significantly since -- and probably as a direct result of -- getting dropped by their major record label. What? A band stifled by the majors only to find satisfaction and artist freedom when they broke away from the soul-stifling machine? Perish the thought.

Lawrence Hobgood Quartet (Green Mill)
See Friday's listing.

12.09   sunday
Dave Koz with Jonathan Butler, Wayman Tisdale, Kimberley Locke (Chicago Theatre)   SEE KOZ LIVE!
See what I did there? This one is for everybody who insists on spelling my nickname with a "K".