Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia
There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
As A Matter Of Fact, It’s All Dark: The Mountain Goats Return With “Dark In Here”
John Darnielle mines the coal-black vein science-fiction, horror, the occult and heavy metal music, but he does it in the most jaunty, jazzy fashion imaginable.
Dazzling Dualities: A Review of Bryan Away’s “Canyons to Sawdust”
The album is a twistier, more literary creation than its pop antecedents; lyrically it bears more resemblance to the art songs of Samuel Barber and Ned Rorem.
Music Top 5: August 2021
Marquee names return to Chicago as a long deferred summer festival season resumes.
Places of Grace: A Review of Steve Dawson’s “At the Bottom of a Canyon In the Branches of a Tree”
What Dawson does in this album is compose, as directly and honestly as possible, his own emotional and spiritual autobiography.
Alsop Ushers In Ravinia’s CSO Return: A Review of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Festival
The CSO gave Alsop a nuanced and well-balanced performance that was greeted with an instantaneous standing ovation at its rousing conclusion.
Locals Take Lolla: Chicago Acts Help Reset the Festival
In the event you’re going to Lollapalooza, here are the local artists to hear and see, and why.
Music Top 5: July 2021
Outstanding new album releases by stellar Chicago artists.
Rest and Peace: A Review of Angel Bat Dawid’s “Hush Harbor Mixtape Vol. 1 Doxology”
Beyond the rich contextual aspects of the album, it’s the textual that offer the most surprise. The pieces may be reflective, but they’re unfailingly celebratory and encouraging.
Silos Coming Down Again: A Preview of Denise La Grassa at New Rhythm Arts Center
La Grassa is usually pegged a jazz singer and keyboardist, but her compelling contralto owes more to Grace Slick than Sarah Vaughan.
