TAKE ME BACK TO CHICAGO

It is not easy being a fan of the band Chicago. It’s doubly tough if you’re a music-criticism camp follower, since you’re forced to read about how one of your favorite bands is generally regarded as one of the least-deserving popular acts of the rock and roll era.

“Lounge act.” “Schlockmeisters.” “Neither swinging nor rocking.” “The album covers are more interesting than the albums.” Chicago’s been blamed for everything from the rise of “lite rock” radio to the 1987 stock market crash, it seems. I, for one, am tired of it. Not only is Chicago not the musical sinkhole they’re claimed to be, they’re a deeply influential band long overdue for critical reappraisal.

First, the numbers: Chicago charted 35 singles between 1970 and 1991. They’ve had three #1 pop singles and seven #1 adult-contemporary hits. That alone is a significant body of work. Chicago has also charted albums in five different decades, something no other artist (not even Elvis or the Beatles) has done.

Of course, this won’t be enough to shut up the critics. They’ve been taking aim at Chicago for a long time. And I’ve been paying attention. So hang on, because I’m going to attack the canonical list of anti-Chicagoism, and when I’m done, I think I’ll have made my case for why Chicago matters for non-nostalgic reasons.
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“THEY COULDN’T HIT AN ELEPHANT AT THIS DIST-”

Drudge is reporting that all signs are pointing to a Kerry/Clinton ticket this fall. Without passing judgement on Ms. Clinton, this report (if true) represents a serious tactical error on the Democrats’ part. The American people are probably not quite ready to forgive Bill Clinton, and certainly seem in no great rush to return to the Clinton Era. Hillary is, of course, a completely different person than Bill, but it’s hard to imagine that the GOP wouldn’t succeed in linking the two and using lingering anti-WJC sentiment against the Kerry/Clinton ticket.

I doubt this is true anyway; the article reads like one Democratic insider’s pipe dream.

RESUME!

Having returned from Iowa in a van without air conditioning, I am now free to resume posting here. I have a couple pieces working right now–doubt you’ll see either one tonight, but it’s only a quarter after eight, so you never know.

PAUSE

TBP is on hiatus until Tuesday evening.

THE VENEER OF LIES GROWS THICKER

The author bio has, once again, been updated.

BUSTED.

The redoubtable Bryan (springing off of this from Signifying Nothing) says I’m getting a little too predictable and nasty:

There have been times when I’ve swung too far in the critical direction. I think Mark Hasty is there these days. But I generally leave well enough alone. I’m not dependent on the pop charts, but I’m not totally dismissive, either. (well, except for some acts that deserve scorn like the backstreet boys and their ilk)

I’m guilty, I’m sure, but I like what I like and I don’t like what I don’t like. I’ve played in bar bands for years, and after a few hundred times through “Bad To The Bone” and “Friends In Low Places,” I think I’ve earned the right to be picky.
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THE NEXT NIRVANA

They are out there somewhere, in a rehearsal space someplace like Atlanta or Boston–a town which has always threatened to give us the Next Big Thing, but has never actually delivered.

Their sound is rooted firmly in the blues, though you can hear influences of country and punk as well. Their lead guitarist (yes, they certainly have one) is a major Stevie Ray Vaughan/Clapton disciple with a penchant for playing baleful solos in the middle registers, solos that sound like a good bourbon tastes. The bassist and drummer lock together like nobody since Duck Dunn and Al Jackson, creating swirling, supple grooves that would make your uncle Clifford sound like Wilson Pickett.

The band is fronted by a female singer/songwriter with a voice that could collapse brick walls. She’s plain-looking and given to modest dress, but her sound is filled with passion and tension. She cites Tori Amos, Tracy Chapman, and Joan Osborne as influences, but the critics will all compare her to Shelby Lynne and Maria McKee.
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ALL THIS MESSING AROUND WITH THE COLORS . . .

. . . has really made me blue. Thanks to Bryan from A-Word with Something for pointing me here.

REVERT TO DEFAULT

Fine. Since most of you didn’t like my last couple color schemes, you can look at Hawkeye colors for all I care. It’ll stay like this for a while.

ON IOWA!

ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT . . .

. . . I heard you. How’s this instead?