list.in.to.chicago this week: 06.02.2008

While I oftentimes consider myself to be hilarious, this newsletter is not about comedy. However, the Chicago Improv Festival is also going on this week, if you're into that sort of thing.

Pick of the week
Knowing that Scott Amendola is on the gig, and that his contributions to Wilco have been stupendous, I've got to call out the Nels Cline Singers on Tuesday at Martyrs'. And Wayne Shorter (Friday, Symphony Centre) continues to be one of the best jazz saxophonists in the business.

list.in.to.COZ
Just Vaughan's for a long while unless I decide to drop in on Andrew again. This should compel me to e-mail the good folks over at Cubby Bear to see if they've got anything for us.

Recap
I ended up at Cullen's a lot this weekend. On Friday, I joined Andrew Fraker on percussion and learned that he both sings and plays guitar a lot louder than I do. When I did my little 80s mini-set, you could barely hear me. Then I caught the first set from Gareth Woods on Saturday, and learned that Gareth actually adds current songs to his set. I'm jealous. He did the song from Spoon that I attempted on Tuesday at Vaughan's, and also something from My Morning Jacket.

6.02   monday
The Kooks with The Morning Benders (The Vic)   SOLD OUT!
Nothing like a sold-out Monday night show to make me feel better about getting this out later and later in the day. Seriously, though, this is one of the latest up-and-coming bratty British bands, and one that actually does proper tours. Fratellis, I'm looking at you.

6.03   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
It's only appropriate to suggest playing songs with the "Bo Diddley beat" to commemorate the legendary musician's passing. I call "Not Fade Away."

Death Cab For Cutie with Rogue Wave (Pritzker Pavilion)   SOLD OUT!
Massive thunderstorms that are supposed to hit Chicago on Tuesday should make this interesting. I haven't been able to listen to the band's new record yet, as it's not available on Rhapsody.

Nels Cline Singers with Jeff Parker Trio, Painted Saints (Martyrs')
One of the "singers" in the Wilco guitarist's project is drummer Scott Amendola, who is just fucking fantastic. And you may know guitarist Jeff Parker from his other gig as well, that being Tortoise.

6.04   wednesday
Soma Star with Proximo (Reggie's Rock Club)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Hey, they got a write-up in Time Out! A very short -- 17 words by my count -- writeup, but that's better than a sharp stick in the eye. They will henceforth be known in these parts as "the dulcet, gritty Soma Star."

Jamie Lidell with Jennifer O'Connor (Abbey Pub)
I feel like I'm supposed to know who this guy is, but after a quick search, I can't figure out why. I think I'm getting him confused with one or more other artists.

6.05   thursday
Nicholas Barron (Bourbon)
Not much else of note, but Nicholas has his steady Thursday solo gig. Since the demise of the Motel Bar gig, I think Chicago is lacking a weekly full-band Nicholas Barron show for the first time since 1994. Unless there's a new one I don't know about, in which case I'm sure Steve will e-mail me about it. I have half a notion that they should approach Elbo Room about Sunday nights.

6.06   friday
Wayne Shorter Quartet (Symphony Centre)
Maybe it's because I'm preternaturally focused on Miles Davis' late 60s quintet, but the surviving members -- saxophonist Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock and bassist Ron Carter -- seem to be the heavyweight survivors of the post-bop era. I just can't quite rally myself for these Symphony Centre concerts where the tickets go on sale six months in advance.

R.E.M. with Modest Mouse, The National (United Center)
I don't have enough historical perspective to say whether or not Accelerate is their best album since whatever critics are saying it's the best album since, but I will say the band has done a decent job of picking opening acts that keep them relevant purely by association.

Dave Matthews with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (Toyota Park)
The pilgrimage to Bridgeview seems to be an annual occurrence now, as I think this is three years running. Had I ever actually published a top ten list from last year, Jones would have been my sleeper pick, as she and her band effortlessly borrow the classic soul sounds of the 60s and 70s in a way that sounds pretty authentic.

A3ther with Scatteredtrees, Supragenius, The Damnwell Betters, Abandon the Radio (Elbo Room)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Someone else I know is friends with someone in this band, but it's not the same person in the band that I know.

Indigo Girls (House of Blues)   SOLD OUT!
It's been a while since we got the obligatory Indigo Girls cover at Vaughan's. Some versions are considerably better than others.

6.07   saturday
Smoking Popes with Mannequin Men, Sundowner (Metro)
I never did find out the resolution to Josh Caterer's religious phase, and how that phase reconciles with the reformation of the band that nearly broke through on a national scale almost a decade or so ago. The band's first new record in that time comes out soon, and I heard half a track from it on XRT yesterday.

J. Davis Trio with Baldwin Brothers, Presto Descanto (Double Door)
Speaking of local bands that have been around for more than a decade, it's the veteran hip-hop band, along with electronica mainstays the Baldwin Brothers.

Melvin Taylor (Navy Pier Beer Garden)
This is a noon show. I was going to remark on how often Taylor seems to be playing this week, but it's Blues Fest, so I guess that's not so surprising.

Centro-Matic with The M's (Schubas)
I was going to say I was surprised that The M's were supporting on a tour that hits Schubas on a weekend, but it looks like it's one of those "you headline one night, we headline the next" sort of deals if the structure of the listings on Metromix is any indication.

Alicia Keys (Allstate Arena)
While I knew Keys had a lot of critical praise and a big chunk of popularity, I didn't think it was quite enough for a room this big. I don't really travel in those mainstream circles, so I can't really say that expectation is accurate.

6.08   sunday
The M's with Centro-Matic (Schubas)
See Saturday's listing, only read it backwards.