Taste of Chicago preview: Rating the music menu
The Taste of Chicago music menu deserves its own rating system:
*** PUT DOWN THAT CHICKEN KABOB AND PAY ATTENTION AT ALL COSTS
** WILL NOT GIVE YOU STOMACH CRAMPS WHILE YOU MUNCH
* GET A HOAGIE, HEAD FOR THE WASHROOM, GO ANYWHERE BUT HERE
Friday June 26:
*** Charlie Wilson and Cameo, 5:30 p.m. at the Petrillo Music Shell. If it’s ‘80s electro-funk you want, you’ve come to the right stage, with the Gap Band’s Charlie Wilson headlining while Cameo is sure to rev up the still-thrilling “Word Up” as the opener.
** Indie Rock and Power Pop, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. on the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. No big names, but I’m a fan of Holding Mercury’s hooks-heavy 2008 release, “Downfall of an Empire.” Their set starts at 4:15 p.m.
Saturday June 27
*** Andre Williams Trio, noon at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. A day devoted to the riches in the Bloodshot Records artist roster kicks off with the loose, lascivious, completely unpredictable Williams, followed by sets from the Deadstring Brothers, Dollar Store, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and the Waco Brothers.
* Counting Crows, 5:30 p.m. at the Petrillo Music Shell. Remember the ‘mid-‘90s? Because that’s were you’ll be stuck when Adam Duritz and company rewind their 15 minutes of fame with “Mr. Jones.”
Sunday June 28
** The Lovehammers, 5 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell. The South Side veterans always deliver a bar-band buzz. Their enthusiasm and energy should easily eclipse headliners the Wallflowers.
* Cover bands, noon-8:30 p.m. at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. With all the fine bands in Chicago writing and performing original material, why a whole day and stage has been devoted to the kind of music you can hear at any wedding or cruise ship is embarrassing.
Monday June 29
*** World music, noon-8:30 p.m. at Illinois State Lottery Taste Stage. A style-hopping panoply of bands steeped in Caribbean, Latin and African sounds. I particularly enjoy the jazz-flavored Afro-funk of the Chicago Afrobeat Project (5:15 p.m.).
** Broadway in Chicago, 6 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell. A shot of “Jersey Boys” will highlight this revue, along with songs from “Mary Poppins,” “Young Frankenstein” and more. Too bad it won’t also include the excellent “Million Dollar Quartet” cast that rocked the Goodman.
Tuesday June 30
*** Aron Burton and Two for the Blues with “Honeyboy” Edwards, 5:15 p.m. at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. Burton is a solid journeyman who can deliver on guitar and unhurried vocals, and Edwards is one of the last living links to the Robert Johnson era.
* Barenaked Ladies, 5:30 p.m. at Petrillo Band Shell. Not as funny as they think they are, and about a decade past their prime.
Wednesday July 1
*** Ne-Yo with Keri Hilson, 5:30 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell. Among the latest legion of R&B heart-throbs, Ne-Yo (Shaffer Smith) is a master of the heartbreak ballad. But I wonder how gloom classics such as "Why Does She Stay" and "Fade into the Background" will go over amid the usual Taste frivolity, or whether he’ll even have the courage to sing them. Here’s hoping he does.
* More tribute bands, noon to 8:30 p.m. at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. The only possible redeeming feature of seeing bands cover U2, the Rolling Stones and the Eagles is that you don’t have to pay U2-level prices.
Thursday, July 2
*** Thrill Jockey Records Day, from noon-to-8:30 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell. An entire day of one of the quirkiest, coolest label rosters in all independent music. Special props to the incendiary trio led by saxophone legend Fred Anderson (3:30 p.m.), the rollicking celebration of 8 Bold Souls (7 p.m.) and a rare Eleventh Dream Day sighting --- maybe Rick Rizzo will lay some new songs on us (5:15 p.m.).
* Super Diamond with Afrodisiacs, 5:30 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell. Yet another cover act, this time a San Francisco group that requires six guys to emulate one larger-than-life performer, Neil Diamond.
Friday July 3:
*** Fireworks with the 85th Army Band, 7:30 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell. The All-American light show. What more do you need on July 4th eve?
** Liz Toussaint, 1:45 p.m. at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. Toussaint bills herself as the love child of Kenny Rogers and Anita Baker, which isn’t a pretty picture. But she’s got a decent voice in a neo-soul sister kind of a way.
Saturday July 4
*** Booker T and the Drive by Truckers, with Buddy Guy and Guster, 3 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell. Though I’m not a big fan of his latest album, Booker T Jones is a legendary soul man, and his collaboration with the Southern roots rockers has the potential to rekindle some of the previous night’s fireworks.
** Songs for Presidents, noon-3 p.m. at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. Dozens of indie artists pay tribute in song to the 44 Chief Executives.
Sunday July 5
*** Gospel and jazz, noon to 5:30 p.m. at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage. The hosannas will rain from on high with Arthur Sutton and the Gift of Praise (1:30 p.m.) and the Shekinah Glory Ministry (3 p.m.), capped off by saxophone great Von Freeman (4:30 p.m.).
** Mitchel Musso and Jordan Pruitt, 2:30 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell. Second-tier Disney stars should keep the kids occupied while the adults wind down the holiday with some beach-blanket toasts.
greg@gregkot.com
Counting Crows have had more than 15 minutes of fame, they are one of the best live American bands and their songs have touched millions. In another 10 years or so, they will deservedly find themselves in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I think it takes more than 15 minutes to accomplish that.
Posted by: John Raeside | June 24, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Wow, you're cool. PREVIEWING a concert and calling the Barenaked Ladies unfunny and past it? Is that about as funny as calling a kebab a 'kebob'? I don't understand how you can judge this band before the concert...? They are actually still very funny and producing strong material - as strong as ten years ago in fact, you may find you enjoy them - open your eyes a little, oh funny one.
Posted by: Liam | June 24, 2009 at 12:55 PM
If you were going for clever and witty, you failed on both accounts. Both Barenaked Ladies and Counting Crows are still making great music and are each great live performers. Chicago is lucky to be able to see them. While each is still in its prime, you clearly are not.
Posted by: bmfc1 | June 24, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Right on, Greg Kot.
Eleventh Dream Day (and other TJ bands) may never enter the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame (deservedly!!!) but that's some of the finest rock n roll anywhere, anytime.
May have to brave the crowds.
Posted by: MrsP | June 24, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Does this guy have anything nice to say??? Debbie Downer!!
Posted by: KGG | June 24, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Barenaked Ladies and Counting Crows making good music? Please... good thing Los Del Rio isn't coming too to indulge your Macarena fetish.
Now I have to get back to loading this new AOL CD....
Posted by: Brian | June 24, 2009 at 01:55 PM
wow, you're an angry little man. perhaps a day off is in order?
Posted by: Nick | June 24, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Looks like the Counting Crow and Barenaked Ladies fan club members are out in full force today. Sorry guys, not 1996 anymore.
Posted by: Jonny Bravo | June 24, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Thanks for calling out Taste of Chicago on their horrible bookings. Chicago deserves better than this. Maybe the worst line-up ever.
Posted by: Joe | June 24, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Wow is right on the negative attitude! Mr. Jones by the way was the Counting Crowe's most mainstream song - apparently you're not as hip as you think you are by sweeping over every other amazing, heartfelt song they've made. I shouldn't expect anything less though from a guy who gives an 80's electro-funk band three stars. Wow - you're GROOVY dude! (not!)
Posted by: Sharon | June 24, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Hi, Greg! You should consider giving Barenaked Ladies a new listen. Since they got rid of one of the members, their sound is morphing into a soul grooving sort of sound, a whole new entity altogether!
I know it's hard to get over the funny men thing, but that's usually a topical observation. If you read lyrics you see a lot more meat than the topical assumption.
Anyway, thanks for your opinions on music at the Taste! Catch you this weekend! (on the radio!)
Posted by: josephine | June 24, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Remember the gang rumbles and shootings at the Taste last year on July 3 and 4?
There are many less Chicago police in 2009 than there were in 2008. What fool would let him or herself and their loved ones to be caught in the crossfire of ignorant ghetto punks?
Do yourself a favor and avoid this downtown mess.
Posted by: billyjoe | June 24, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Counting Crows in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? That's the funniest thing I've read all week.
And the Barenaked Ladies (who were never that funny or good to begin with) didn't "get rid of one of their members." He left the group after being busted for possession while they were in the middle of a Disney children's music tour.
This line up is lame and seeing Honeyboy Edwards or Booker T and Buddy Guy would be the only reasons I'd ever consider entering the sweaty overcrowded hell that is the Taste of Chicago.
Posted by: Vaughan Johnson | June 24, 2009 at 02:57 PM
To say that BNL and Counting Crows are past their time while raving about Jane's Addiction's upcoming Lollapalooza appearance seems inconsistant. How is Wilco not 10 years past it's peak (or whatever you want to call it)?
Posted by: Joe | June 24, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Weak! Counting Crows, Wallflowers, and Barenaked Ladies all on different nights? Who set this thing up? Q101's 1998 head of programming?
Quite the slide after Stevie Wonder last year.
Posted by: Reed | June 24, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Greg I just wonder if you have ever seen Counting Crows in concert. Im thinking not because if you had you would know that this band puts on an amazing live show. I have seen this band at least 10 times in concert and they are the reason im coming to the tast this year. Its hard for me to understand how you can review them in this manner without hearing or seeing them play!!! I mean at least i would respect you if you had been to the concert and were giving you review then.
Greg replies: I've reviewed the Counting Crows in concert several times.
Posted by: Carrie | June 24, 2009 at 04:14 PM
it's "its". sorry, pet peeve. gets me every time.
btw - if you're looking for local band with their own great music, check out Mr. Blotto. Sure, they do covers of The Dead, Dylan, Allman Brothers, etc. but their own stuff can more than stand on its own.
Take a long lunch next Wed (7/1) and head over to 311 S. Wacker for their "Lunch in the Loop" gig from 11am-1pm.
Posted by: Jess Wundrin | June 24, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Greg Kot. Not as funny as he thinks he is.
Posted by: Dave | June 24, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Jonny Bravo, would you be referring to 1998, when those bands hit the height of their popularity? Bit fed up of pathetic and inaccurate attempts at humour this evening. Perhaps these 2 bands have a strong following that are willing to stick up for them because they are in fact still making great music that makes a lot of people happy.
Posted by: Liam | June 24, 2009 at 05:15 PM
Wonder if the BNL's will do a surprise "Christmas in July" bit with a rendition of their most famous "mainstream" hit, "We Three Kings/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."
Posted by: anon | June 24, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Greg I'm glad you think you know what you're talking about because I know you have no clue. You're seriously saying Cameo is going to thrill audiences with "Word up" but think Counting Crows, The Wallflowers and BNL are outdated?
You're one of those music snobs who refuses to listen to anything considered mainstream. I bet if any of the local unknown bands you listen to ever became popular you'd claim they sold out and aren't good any more. If it's not a local band it has to be Jazz, Blues, or some new-age Afro-cuban Fusion Punk or something...not because you like the music but because it makes you feel superior to people who listen to more mainstream stuff.
A good music critic doesn't say anything that's not his favorite style is bad. Maybe you hate all 90's music because you caught your olf girlfriend cheating on you while playing Mr. Jones on the radio...maybe you're just old, who knows, but just because music is mainstream doesn't make it bad. Those three bands were hugely successful for a reason. Today they let people in the 25 - 35 age range enjoy fond, nostalgic memories of the good times they had back in the day while playing their new music (BNL still rocks, go to this year's Christmas concert and you'll be thouroughly entertained). Maybe they don't have quite the guitar stylings of a blues musician, but a good concert is about entertainment as much as it is music quality and those bands entertain their intended audience...however I do have to admit that I hate cover bands so at least we agree on something.
Posted by: Miz | June 24, 2009 at 05:32 PM
"A guided tour through the worlds of pop, rock and rap???" Fortunately, some of us are quite capable of thinking for ourselves. We don't need you to knock acts before they've even performed. I'd be tempted to call you elitist (if it's popular, it can't be good) but you apparently prefer a "bar-band buzz" to the intelligent rock of the Wallflowers. Great bands like the Wallflowers survive the test of time because they make good music. That people enjoy. They have a brand new hits compilation precisely because of that. Snobs make lousy music critics.
Posted by: vfotog | June 24, 2009 at 07:36 PM
lol, he's done well with this article judging by these comments. Moron.
Posted by: Eric | June 25, 2009 at 04:15 AM
Is it just me or is the line up really, really weak this year?
Posted by: DJ Dazed | June 25, 2009 at 06:22 AM
Can we get some GOOD music? Ugh!! Gonna check out the Milwaukee Summerfest line up!!
Posted by: Oh brother! | June 25, 2009 at 09:14 AM