Photo: Dan Monick
RECOMMENDED
When West Coast-based R&B singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc comes on stage backed by his solid band, he presents a mix of modern and old-school vibe, showcasing his take on the classic soul revival that harkens back to the likes of Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and other sixties pioneers, who Blacc openly acknowledges as influences.
Though most of his tunes have more of an uptempo groove, some of the most exciting moments come when he slows things down and lets his voice out with gospel-inflected tunes, including a very personal take on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” with an arrangement mostly based around the bass line, which makes the tune almost unrecognizable at first.
One of his own gems is “Politician,” a funk-laden tune with a Motown feel, with Blacc’s lyrics questioning how a First World nation like the United States can have so much poverty, injustice and hunger.
Blacc is a powerhouse to be considered. His great energy and presence on stage, along with his powerful pipes, might just make him the next big name in neo-soul. (Ernest Barteldes)
November 12, Schubas Tavern, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508, 10pm. $12.
Related Stories
Fall Music Preview 2016 Mucca Pazza is Chicago’s (and possibly the planet’s) only postmodern marching band, with a repertoire that’s less likely to include Sousa than salsa (or Stravinsky). Whatever they tackle is approached with wit, vivacity and a captivating, DIY shagginess; they don’t just march, they strut, swagger, prance and pimp-walk. Their high-energy events—which have taken over everything from public parks to the…
Do It Again: A Preview of Brian Wilson at Horseshoe Hammond While today former bandmate Mike Love leads a group calling itself the Beach Boys, that band features no Brian Wilson. Wilson’s group, on the other hand, includes original Beach Boys member Al Jardine as well as late-prime-era Beach Boy Blondie Chaplin, and is jaw-droppingly facile at recreating the Beach Boys sound.
Especially For You: A Preview of the Smithereens at the Memorial Opera House Serious music scholars all, the Smithereens distilled their musical loves into something that ultimately sounded like nobody but them. Diken points to Gary Lewis and the Playboys as an influence; it’s worth noting that the studio cats who played on those records—immortal pop tunes like “Count Me In” —included Leon Russell and drummer Hal Blaine.
"Rumours" Has It: A Preview of "Say You Love Me" at Davenport's Cabaret The performers process arena-rock anthems through their own cabaret-honed sensibilities.
Shock Value: A Preview of Last Fantastic Nasty at Quenchers I get the sense that Last Fantastic Nasty are still in that “figuring who we are” phase, where you’ve realized you can get attention by shocking people, but you start thinking long and hard about whether or not you want to. And they do have the musical chops to do well: the songs are metallic and complicated and compelling, even…
Match Set: A Preview of Tennis at Metro Moore and Riley have defined an identity that—while still built upon sounds and styles of decades past—now leans in a more timeless direction.
