24 Oct 10

Hey, blogspot readers, what a fun weekend! After partying with the Illys gals at a burlesque B-day bash and then more partyin' at Angels & Kings on Saturday night, SouthSide spent a relaxing yet rainy Sunday night at Elbo Room for another intimate performance featuring Adam Klein (from GA). However first, she highly recommends rockin' out to the vibrant pulse of the energetic instrumental psychedelia sounds of Dawn of Man. This band (from WI) had a wild trippy eclectic rock musically inspiring the mind, body and soul. This reviewer enjoyed the sweeping epic songs full of wicked guitar hooks which took the mind on a spiritual journey ...the psychedelia (off the keyboards/computer programming) rhythms had the body groovin' to the futuristic vibe ...and the soul was completely rocked by the explosive finishes at the end. It was a very orgasmic experience, blogspot readers, and that was simply from hearing a couple of Dawn's songs. Expect a full review when this band's rockin' the Chicago stage again. For more information, visit Dawn of Man at http://www.myspace.com/dawnofmanband.

Meanwhile upstairs, this reviewer enjoyed an intimate acoustic performance by Athens, GA singer/songwriter - Adam Klein. This artist didn;t just stand on stage and perform for SouthSide, blogspot readers. He regaled her with captivating ...fascinating stories done in the style which would be reminiscent of Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. They weren't simply ordinary songs about ordinary stories or didn't have a "they live happily ever after" ending. No, these stories were real ...about real people and real true-life situations full of heartache and pain. Yes, at times, there was some joy and love (or love lost) too. More importantly, his songs had this sense of being more than mere words to be heard behind the guitar riffs. What made Adam's songwriting seem so personal ...deep and lifelike was the vocal intensity he put into the lyrics. The emotional depth of his voice and falsettos breathed life that added realism and imagery. Plus this reviewer enjoyed hearing the interesting backstories behind his songs - for example, he met a direct descendant of the famous American outlaw Jesse James while performing at Kent, Ohio.

There were so many stories heard that it's hard for SouthSide to pick a memorable moment or highlight of this show. For example, she heard about the true life legend of Cynthia Ann Parker (or Naduah - her Comanche name), a Texan woman kidnapped by a Comanche tribe and then found years later by the Texan Rangers after being "turned" and married to a warrior. Have you heard the Southern foklore about love and murder of Nomie Wise? Neither has SouthSide but found this heartwrenching ballad about John Lewis' obsession for a woman who didn't love him quite sad as well as interesting. She highly recommands checking out the tales of the high seas and the loneliness it brings for pirates and vagabonds in Of Pirates and Vagabonds (off his new CD - Wounded Electric Youth). Also check out Adam's love ballad beautifully written for someone special in Tired Afternoon (Out For Love) and Wayward Son (which SouthSide found to be likened to the parable about The Prodigal Son) - both can be found on his new CD. Expect a full CD review on Adam Klein's Wounded Electric Youth soon.

In you missed it, you can hear a podcast of Adam's appearance on Fearless Radio at http://www.fearlessradio.com. For more information about Adam Klein and his music, visit http://www/adam-klein.com or http://www.myspace.com/adamkleinmusic.com.


Until next time, support your lcoal scene,
SouthSide