We’re only a few days into both a new year and new decade. While much about 2020 remains uncertain, one thing is for sure: We’re going to have an album release from local bluesters The Taj Maholics.
It may have taken 16 years for the trio to finally release something, but a true work of art takes time. Travis Brown, Andy Pauquette, and Jamie Simon worked their tails off the past year recording this eight-track gem in a half dozen places across time.
“It has lots of variety, from Chicago style ‘Reconsider Baby’ to an eight-piece string section on ‘If I Only Had A Brain,’” Pauquette said.
In addition, the self-titled release wouldn’t be complete without some local musicians lending their contributions, including Brian Lemert, Kevin Jackson, Celia Price, Brad Auer, David Ling, Derek Reeves, and Jane Heald.
The band expects to receive the CDs this month and will soon be lining up some shows for you to get your hands on a copy. Digital downloads will be available through streaming sites.
I can’t wait to feast my ears on the new material and hopefully have plenty of opportunities to see them perform this year.
Mark your calendars for The League’s Blues Bash
The League for the Blind & Disabled have announced plans for the annual Blues Bash fundraiser taking place this year on Saturday, May 9, at C2G Music Hall.
Sure, spring sounds like an eternity from now, but this is an event you’ll want to add to your new calendar.
Attendees will enjoy live music by the talented Toronzo Cannon.
This guitar slinger is a Chicago Transit Authority bus driver by day and at night he rocks the blues world with his dynamic vocals and guitar playing.
This will be his third appearance on behalf of The League. Proceeds from the event will support The League.
General admission and VIP tickets are available now through Etix.com.
Get plugged in to the Electric amish
Flashback Live will host the one and only The Electric Amish on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. Now that’s a name we haven’t heard in awhile but used to quite frequently back in the day when they would appear on The Bob & Tom Show and come to town on occasion.
The Electric Amish is an Indiana-based parody rock band that takes well-known rock standards and recasts them from a heavily tongue-in-cheek Amish perspective.
The band has released three albums which featured the toe-tappers “Black Bonnet Girls,” “I Want to Hoe Your Land,” and “Mennonite Blues.”
Tickets for The Electric Amish are available through TicketWeb for $15 in advance and $17 day of.
Keep the Umphrey’s party going
There’s good news if you plan on attending the Umphrey’s McGee show at The Clyde Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
After the lights come on and it’s time to leave, the party will continue to roll at The Ruin. There you’ll be treated to a late night set by Earphorik beginning around 11 p.m.
Tickets for the Umphrey’s after-party are available through Eventbrite or at The Ruin for $10 in advance, $12 day of, and $8 with an Umphrey/Clyde ticket stub.
