list.in.to.chicago this week: 08.27.2012

In case you're wondering, I didn't forget the North Coast festival. I just don't particularly give a shit about it.

One thing I do give a shit about is that today is Alex Lifeson's birthday! I expect you all to stop what you're doing and air-guitar the intro to "The Spirit of Radio" in celebration.

Pick of the week
I'm actually pretty excited about the 312 Urban Block Party on Saturday, as all the bands involved are ones that I've seen before and liked enough to want to see again. Also, you know, beer. And it's likely that I'll check out the Jimmy Herring Band on Friday at Martyrs'. Not sure I can pull off the double-dip and try to see Roy Haynes beforehand at Jazz Fest.

list.in.to.COZ
Just Vaughan's this week. For you longer-term planners, Andrew Fraker & Sons will be playing a street festival early next Saturday afternoon (seriously, I think we go on at 11:45am) in Lakeview.

Recap
Didn't see any shows last week, but I did attend a drum clinic from Jimmy Chamberlin. No, he didn't dish on the Pumpkins, although he did mention that Billy Corgan use to listen to jazz-fusion "in secret" and then talk with him about it. And that the drum part for "Tonight, Tonight" was mostly lifted from Weather Report's "Birdland," which is totally obvious now that I think about it. And that he and the band discovered during the marathon sessions for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness that eating heavy meals before recording would affect how those sessions came out.

Saturday's Diver show included no fewer than three songs played with no rehearsal, or even assurance that all three of us knew how the whole tune went. Although we did at least discuss one of the three over text messages during the day. Whee!

8.27   monday
Lindsey Buckingham (City Winery)
Looking forward to seeing both the Fleetwood Mac guitarist and the new venue. Some of the early reports have been that the ticket prices are outrageous, which makes me think the room's New York City origins might have brought the Big Apple's prices.

8.28   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
I'm going through another one of those phases where I keep thinking "oh, that song might work as an acoustic arrangement" and then totally forget what song it was that inspired the thought. Gotta start writing things down again.

Waco Brothers (City Winery)
We all know a Chicago venue hasn't truly arrived until Jon Langford has played there. Now it's officially official.

8.29   wednesday
Duran Duran (Ravinia Festival, Highland Park)
Looks like it's down to just four original members, as guitarist Andy Taylor seems like he's out of the picture. Also, the band's last two shows have been cancelled for health reasons, so check the news before heading to the 'burbs in case keyboardist Nick Rhodes has gotten any better. Or at least healthier. I kid the Duranies, of course. It's just that old habits die hard.

8.30   thursday
Dastardly (Schubas)
This is one of those local bands who found the list online and assumed I could actually influence people's behavior, although I guess they haven't been sending me press releases as much lately, to the point where I'm not entirely sure, but I think this is a CD release party.

Chicago Jazz Festival (Pritzker Pavilion)
The first two nights of the four-day downtown fest are at the Pritzker stage, with the first night featuring the Chicago Jazz Orchestra with Dee Alexander, Spider Saloff, and Frieda Lee.

8.31   friday
Chicago Jazz Festival (Pritzker Pavilion)
Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth headlines. It's a great name for the venerable drummer's current outfit, as he--much like the late Elvin Jones did--brings a certain youthful exuberance to be-bop and post-bop drumming.

Jimmy Herring Band (Martyrs')
Going back to his time with Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, Herring is probably my favorite guitarist in the entirety of the jam band universe. His solos sound like they have more purpose than a lot of the noodling that goes on in that genre.

Fabulous Thunderbirds (SPACE, Evanston)
I have to admit, seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan's brother's band so close to the anniversary of his death could be special. Or creepy.

9.01   saturday
St. Vincent with Kelly Hogan, Maps & Atlases (Goose Island Brewery)
You have to jump through a bunch of hoops to score tickets for Goose Island's "312 Urban Block Party," but the agenda makes it look like it's worth the effort. The event is taking place a few blocks west of Ashland and north of Lake, not too far from where North Coast will be happening at the same time.

Chicago Jazz Festival (Grant Park)
The fest moves to the bigger space for the weekend proper. With Dianne Reeves, Jerry Gonzalez y el Commanda de la Clave, Resonance Ensemble, Billy Hart, Marlene Rosenberg Quartet, and others.

9.02   sunday
Chicago Jazz Festival (Grant Park)
Sunday's lineup includes Allen Toussaint, Steve Coleman & Five Elements, Pierre Dorge & New Jungle Orchestra, Sarah Marie Young Quartet, Matt Wilson's Arts & Crafts, and others.

Umphrey's McGee (Congress Theater)
Even though I'm not "covering" North Coast, I'll at least give a shout out to one of the aftershows, featuring Chicago's own jam band juggernaut.

Lord Snow with Cave Bear, Monogamy Party (Ultra Lounge)
Yes, this band stood out because of the Game of Thrones reference in their name. Makes me want to start a band called "You Know Nothing" just so we can be on a bill together.