Music
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The Shrine is Here!
Just what the doctor ordered, as far as I’m concerned… It’s the long awaited club, The Shrine. Tonight, a star is born in the South Loop. Created by Joe Russo (the man that brought us nightlife legend The Funky Buddah Lounge), The Shrine combines top shelf live entertainment, dancers, and music, like the clubs in…
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Localism in Music: the Memphis Edition
For those of you who feel as though Darkjive is a Chicago anomoly, here’s the Memphis Edition. Whereas Chicago had Chess and Brunswick as Marquee Soul record labels in the mid-twentieth century, in Memphis, it was Stax and Hi (and their subsidiaries). Whereas Chess at one time owned WVON, Stax owned WDIA. I love the…
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Garland Green “Jealous kind of fella” 1969
A beast of a Chicago Stepper cut by Chicago’s own Garland Green. Oh, and he says, he’s not Jealous nor Violent in real life… he even released a song called “Don’t Think I’m a Violent Guy”. Good to know. more about “Garland Green “Jealous kind of fella”…“, posted with vodpod Someone who could “never lose”…
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Maybe the oldest rap music you’ll ever hear…
Cadillac Jack by Andre Williams Andre Williams rapping about the Southside of Chicago with doo-wop backing by the Dells back in 1968. Produced by Charles Stepney. Local Chicago Chess Records magic. Dig it.
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Apparently, Nightlife in Chicago is Getting Eclectic.
This Thursday and Friday both have Events scheduled that both trumpet their “eclectic” nature: “Eclectic Relaxation” at Simones in Pilsen/Bridgeport (featuring my guy Tapedek and Sotipop on the tables) and the “Eclectic After Work Session” at Cuatro in the South Loop (a weekly Friday event featuring the legendary Vick Lavender) I don’t know. To me,…
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Cult Movie of the Week: Sparkle
Not unlike many movies that are labeled as “Blaxploitation”, the soundtrack to Sparkle (1976) is often regarded more highly than the film itself. A Curtis Mayfield-produced gem sung by Aretha Franklin, the soundtrack to the movie is glorious… but laden with its share of controversy. What’s controversial? First, the film is a pre-Dreamgirls rags-to-riches story…
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Mingus Awareness Project TONIGHT!
Tonight, a group of musicians will gather at The Hideout to celebrate the life and music of Charles Mingus, and to benefit the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Mingus, an American musical hero who died of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), is one of the greatest figures in jazz history. His bass playing, compositions and philosophy have…
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Studies on Soul from Johnny Spencer
Johnny Spencer is a British visual artist who has turned the sleeves of his 45rpm records (most of them American Soul from the 1960s) into hand-drawn studies (in ink, watercolor, pencil, and collage, et al). Amazing stuff. I wonder if he works on commission…
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The Five Stairsteps… in a World of Fantasy
Produced by Curtis Mayfield, the Burke brood had a number of hits years before the Jacksons hit the scene. Have a listen to an early television appearance… Chicago’s own….I dare you to step to this underage smoothness… more about “The Five Stairsteps“, posted with vodpod
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Art Comes Alive Tonight in Chicago
First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Tonight, Fri. May 1st) Happy hour takes on a new meaning with First Fridays at the MCA. Cash bar featuring specialty drinks and free Wolfgang Puck appetizers. Enjoy live music from local DJs, the world’s only iMac G5 digital dating bar, creation stations, and more. Each month features…
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