Ruby Andrews-Casanova (Your Playing Days are Over)

This album just seems to reinforce my current state, and it's one I'm sure readers have found themselves in. i know it's a predicament that I am inevitably bound to repeat an endless amount of times since it's one of those things that even if you learn from it, it seems foolish to accept the lesson. So I'm sure everyone can surmise from that prologue that I'm talking about romance and the stupid things it leads us to do. It's funny that often times (at least with myself) I can see that what I am doing is most likely stupid and will probably only make matters worse, yet that attraction is strong enough to force me to preclude reason and experience and act like that junior high boy that we've all tried to forget is still lurking somewhere within us. And that's why I'm been listening to this album. This is a case where not fitting into a particular region helps the artist as she is able to draw from all modes of soul. I think if you listen closely you can find elements of nearly all of her contemporaries, yet it is distinctly her own work. Hail Chicago soul.

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The Plastic Crimewave Sound-Flashing Open

Since I'm back home for a bit, there's an obligation to post at least a few things from Chicago. Therefore, it seems logical, with all the reader interest in psychedelic rock, to post something by the dude who probably knows more than anyone I've met about that genre. When not penning the remarkable Galactic Zoo Dossier, Steve Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) documents the forgotten giants of Chicago music, organizes music festivals, and plays some mind bending rock and roll music. Taking elements of the more recent legends (Sonic Youth, Spacemen 3, etc.) and dosing it with the true classics (Edgar Broughton Band, the Deviants, etc.) this band is my favorite thing going on around town. But to confess, the first time I saw them live I was not impressed. The sound levels sucked and it seemed like they were more worried about their clothes than rocking. But the more I heard the more of a fan I became. This is the place to start, then track down their double LP No Wonderland, which may even top this one.

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The Staple Singers-Let's Do It Again OST

I once thought that the influx of people wearing sweatpants in public signaled the downward cultural slope that we'd eventually have to face. Laziness to the point that putting two legs into pants seemed utter ridiculous, now things are even worse. I've noted, and I'm sure you have too, that recently nearly everyone I walk past seems to be content with slowing dragging their feet. Lift up those shoes motherfuckers. It's not difficult. I guess that's just how lazy we really are. This is probably the evolutionary step between functioning legs and some slug like means of locomotion that humans/chuds will eventually employ. This soundtrack might be just the right prescription to get those flabby legs pumping. Really, it's near impossible to listen to this and not start bopping around. I love Curtis Mayfield (who does the music here) and I love the Staple Singers too so this was obviously a paring that was going to work. And the film rules too.

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Ministry-The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste

Sorry folks, but you really should have seen this one coming. I mean, I talk about Chicago bands pretty frequently. I even posted their Pailhead side project. So save the sneers. I get enough from my students as it is. I've been hearing (not necessarily listening) them from way back when Jourgensen preferred to be called Alain and in sang with a horrid faux-Brit accent. Since it was so ubiquitous it makes sense that I'd come to like it. And I'll make a prediction now. Sometime in the somewhat near future we will see a return of bands imitating the Wax Trax sound. This might send a shiver down the spine of some of you, but really, how many fakegaze bands do we really need?

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Souled American-Notes Campfire

I've gotten a few messages and e-mails from people asking about why I didn't post this or that Chicago band since I seem to often write on bands from back home. And there's been some great suggestions that will mostly likely makes the virtual pages around here. However, no one has asked for this band. Why people? For many years, these guys have held the crown of best Chicago band. No joke. If I had to list a top ten Chicago bands of all time, they would definitely find a place somewhere on it. Some of this might be a little too alt-country (lousy term) for a few of you, but stick around because it gets oddly spacey too. Great for listening to when sending late night drunken text messages that you'll regret the following date.

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Terry Callier-Occasional Rain

Since it's about time to shove off and return to the hills of West Virginia in the morn, I might as well post a parting shot from the hometown. And really, this guy ranks way up there when I start to list off my favorites from Chicago. His early records were in that black/folk idiom which is really under represented (but I really love). He started to blend in the jazz and soul sounds on releases like this and developed a style that still seems so many years ahead of what peers where toiling with. People can claim Detroit, Memphis, ass-crack Alabama, what have you as the ultimate soul scene, but albums like this make me a fierce defender for Chicago's place in the pantheon of great soul music cities. No one had that samey sound that defined most of the regional music movements and, to me, that will always set it apart. But I'm sure people will want to be contentious with claims of this sort. They are gladly welcomed.

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Philip Cohran and the Artistic Heritage Ensemble-Singles

Technically, Cohran is from Mississippi then St. Louis, but I'll claim him for Chicago anyways. The dude help found the AACM and played with Sun Ra during his tenure in town. When that astral dweller split, Cohran decided to stay in town and remains here to this day (as far as I know) , so I'd say he's Chicago as fuck. This is one person whose rediscovery just thrilled me. He definitely deserves all the respect he's been garnering these last few years. All of his albums are mandatory owns.

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Aorta

Since I'm back in the motherland I might as well post a few discs from local bands. I found one for a buck, but not while I lived back here. Oddly enough, it turned up in the dollar bin at my friend's record store in Albuquerque. And this cover was worth the dollar alone. Too bad it doesn't really come across on the internet. Maybe you should actually leave your house and buy a copy. for some reason I always thought this formed out of the ashes of H.P. Lovecraft, but I was wrong. It does include a member who went on to join them. It also includes various other people whom you might know if you're interested in Chicago 60s rock. But I won't hold it against you if your aren't. It's a fairly neglected genre.

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The Effigies-Remains Nonviewable & For Ever Grounded

Since I'm still in the giving mood, this one if for the readers back in Illinois. I can go on and on about Chicago punk music (though it was a relatively small scene), but I won't. It's either something you like or you don't. I never quite understood how many of these bands sounded very mid-west, yet seem to have been strongly influenced by British post-punk. Kin of a weird combo, but it works for me. So Remains Nonviewable collects their early e.p.s and even some of For Ever Grounded. But since they (who knows why) decided to only include a portion of it, I figured I should just post the whole thing. See, I can be nice at times.

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Lake of Dracula

You think that by mentioning Dracula and vampires on my blog I will be able to cash in on all the media hoopla? I'd love it if some tween stumbled upon this treat and flipped her wig. And here's something you all can laugh at me for, but when the whole no(w) wave thing was going on around Chicago, I really thought that it was going to become a big thing. I mean, for me, that was some of the best music going on at the time. Adventurous, arty, dumb, theatrical, it definitely beat what was going on in most parts of the country. But this could be a bit of hometime pride. Maybe I was just stupid and young. Who knows. But then again all that Rhode Island, Load records (a la Lightning Bolt) hit it pretty big a few years later, so maybe I wasn't all that off.

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Phil Upchurch

Since I just mentioned this guy I figure I should cough up the goods lest there be people unfamiliar with his work. For my money this guy is up their with Cosey for one of the best guitarists Chicago ever produced. But he never really became that much of a house hold name despite playing on cuts by Curtis Mayfield, B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie, Donny Hathaway, etc. Don't worry though, Upchurch isn't interested in some wanky shred fest. He opts for a much more melodic and smooth (at times jazzy) tone that can be real appealing. There's even a few Hendrix covers thrown in for good measure. Oh, and Charles Stepney (another Chicago god) is involved, if that means anything to you. And this cover rules too.

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Muddy Waters-Electric Mud

I know blues purist really hate this album, but you know what, I really hate blues purists. My experience is that they're typically some overly educated, whinny, white person who's more concerned with posturing that enjoying the music. So if you're of that disposition, than this ain't the album for you. Go feel guilty elsewhere. But if you want to hear when Muddy got all psychedelic then this might bend your ear. And with Phil Upchurch & Pete Cosey involved, you can imagine that the guitar is top flight. Melt your mind.

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The Mentally Ill-Gacy's Place: The Undiscovered Corpsesch

I've been hitting the Chicago punk pipe pretty hard lately. I can't explain why. Nostalgia? Reconnecting with my roots? Who the fuck knows/cares. I am well aware that most people rate my hometown pretty low on the punk totem pole, but those people often neglect the fuzz punk awesomeness of this group and instead spend more time talking about how Vic Bondi is a prick (I don't know if he is since I never met the gent, but this is just something people seem to be interested in discussing). Well, I'll admit the city wasn't punk heaven or anything, but it was certainly weird enough to function as a petri dish breeding things of this ilk. I have to say, this super distorted guitar is fucking fantastic. The simplicity and psychosis make this an overall pretty depressive album, at least to me that is.

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Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers

Summer school is back on. And you have no idea how excited I am to teach technical writing. I think we'll watch the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, ride a few roller coasters, and let the typical summer hi jinx ensue. Too bad there's no students that look like Courtney Thorne-Smith (in 80s surfer style). But enough about my banal existence. On with the music. I figure the blues is something most white guilt aficionados go for, and I'm sure there's a few of you out there, so why not post this treat. As everyone knows, Chicago has been home to one of the best blues scenes of all time. No need for a history lesson at the moment, but you can go look it up if you wish. It's okay, I'll wait. Anyways, here's one of my faves from my hometown. Taylor was definitely ripped off too many times and never got the true accolades he deserved (Jon Spencer, you own Hound Dog a career). Really snarling double guitar (on a fucked up Teisco or some shit) sans bass and simplified rhythms makes for a pretty fucking classic, yet original, blues sound. Yeah, Elmore James is an influence, but Taylor made this shit sound punk. And "Give me back my Wig" is just great, especially since I'm always afraid that some bandit with abscond with mine.

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Rick Saucedo-Heaven Was Blue

Here's my farewell post for my birth city. Chicago psych is fairly underrated though there were some really great discs. This is a prime example. Rick Saucedo garnered a much greater fame once he became El Vez, the Mexican Elvis impersonator. But this was his early psych work out. And man, it doesn't disappoint. It gets forgotten, like most Chicago psych does, despite the fact that it really has some serious moments of mind fuckedness. It's a little more Beatlesy and popish than it is a full on mind melt, but it's still worth a listen, and then some. And this recently soundtracked one long skating session, and it somehow completely worked. I must be getting soft or something. I guess shredding doesn't always need some punk/metal soundtrack anymore. But then again, I cry now more than ever so what the fuck do I know.

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Baby Huey-The Baby Huey Story:The Living Legend

I figure I'll wrap up the postings on my favorite day with another favorite. And perhaps it's even sweeter knowing that this beautiful fat ass is another Chicagoan (well born in Indiana but moved there later). Just look at that cover. The picture alone is worth the download, right? Originally appearing on Curtis Mayfield's short lived Curtom label, this is a great piece of Chicago psych-soul. I guess it wouldn't surprise you to hear that the 400lb heroin addicted Huey only lived to 26. But his sole album, which has been sampled to death, definitely proves this big'n was blowing some minds for real.

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Big Black-Sound of Impact

So here's a classic bootleg from a classic band. Still here in Chicago, so why not post something by the Chicago band that probably most affected my musical taste. I'm pretty sure this was compiled from a few shows in 1986, but I might be off on that. But lord, this one just slays. All the classics are here, and they might even top the studio versions in terms of intensity. I don't think I need to explain much more about how crucial this group was. So I won't. Just grab it while you can.

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The Pharaohs-Awakening

Probably my favorite spiritual jazz/soul/funk amalgamation from Chicago. Featuring future member of Earth, Wind and Fire, and former members of Phil Cohran's Artistic Heritage Ensemble, this record is an essential document on what was going on. There's a cover of Smokey Robinson that's serviceable, and unfortunately Damballa is not an Exuma cover, but still, this is a perfect part record. But, at the same time, this is equally a great sit around, relax, and feel better about yourself type of record. Uplifting, fun, funky. And some underrated guitar shredding at times only enhances the listening experience.

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The Dwarves-Horror Stories

I know most people prefer the Dwarves' skag rock, but I like to look back to when this young Chicago band was just getting going (yes, they're from Chicago, not San Francisco). Definitely has the whole 60s garage rock thing going on, but it's slathered in a sheet of filth and violence. Even though the dreaded harmonica makes an appearance (one of the worst instruments ever) this solid romper is not hindered by it's obnoxious sounds. This sounds pretty different from what they're most known for, but it's great nonetheless. Take their advice and be a caveman.

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Los Crudos-Discography

One more Chicago band before I fuck off for the night. These dudes didn't fuck around. Really raging punk with Spanish vocals. For years, this has been a go to album when I drive around dreaming of wasting every idiot on the road. I'm wondering what these guys think about what Pilsen has become. Oh, gentrification.

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