Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Many Moons
Papa G's DJ set
Tonight, this reviewer kicked off her long weekend roaming
around town with a pit stop at Taste of Randolph to survey the sights, sounds
and smells of this annual food and music festival located in the heart of
Chicago’s West Loop. Taste of Randolph features some of the best street food
from local restaurants like bellyQ, Alhambra Palace, City Winery, Wishbone and
more as well as local vendors and live music by such bands Clap Your Hands Say
Yeah from Philadelphia, PA (http://www.cyhsy.com), Minus The Bear, The Revivalists (from
New Orleans, LA), Many Moons (http://www.manymoonschicago.bandcamp.com), The Heard, The
Giving Tree Band, The O’My’s, Ryan Powers and many more rockin’ two stages at
opposite ends of the fest area. Plus new this year, there’s a DJ/Dance stage
hosted by the party people of The Mid (located at mid-way point of the fest
area) which will feature DJ sets by DJ RC, Zebo, Papa G, My Boy Elroy. The
Taste of Randolph is 3 days of fun for all (kids included ...there’s face
painting and family-oriented activities) and it’s dog-friendly too, blogspot
readers. SouthSide spent part of her evening snapping photos and enjoying the
awesome smell of food cooking outdoors. The fest runs from noon to 10p on
Saturday and Sunday ...$10 suggested donation (but they will accept a couple of
books too).
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| The Real Jane Martin |
After spending some time at Taste of Randolph, blogspot
readers, it was time to head to Elbo Room to say a fond farewell and “thanks
for the rockin’ memories” to her good friends – Allen and Mark of The Real Jane
Martin. This reviewer was with them since the beginning (back in 2008 when they
performed at MOB Fest) and she felt it was fitting that she attends their final
show at the place where it all began for them at Elbo Room. The upstairs lounge
was crowded with family, friends and longtime fans as the duo of folk/rock
performed their favorites and rarely heard songs spanning nearly a decade under
band name The Real Jane Martin. And as a treat, they also performed a few cover
renditions like Til Tuesday’s “Voices Carry” (but sung from a male pov) and
very powerful yet moving rendition of The Beatles’ “Something” which almost had
this reviewer swelling with tearful emotions. It may have been a sad occasion
to see this duo split up (for now), blogspot reader, however it was also a
celebration of a longtime friendship as well as sendoff for Mark who will be
studying at New University for his MFA in lyric and play writing.
This special final show featured a double set of songs
...each one a fan favorite for those in attendance, blogspot readers. Songs
like “Manhattan” in which Allen’s vibrant falsetto painted a picturesque
imagery amidst a rhythmic floetry and gentle melodies off the guitars. This
particular song also features Mark’s deep spoken word vocals (during the
chorus) giving it a slight rough edge to counter Allen’s falsetto tone. Yet,
there’s more to this duo than picturesque imagery within their folk/rock sound.
It can also feature spine-tingling chills to the bone like when they performed
a haunting ghost story in honor of the night’s full moon and date ...or how
about a song full of wit and humor (for example “All About Eve”) ...or a
troubadour-style ballad in which the lyrics are comprised of flowery prose of
love, devotion and adoration, blogspot readers, as heard during the song “Sweet
Emily Brown”. What SouthSide will miss the most about TRJM is the descriptive
way Allen’s song lyrics tells the story besides painting the words to life when
he sings. When listening to, for example, “Manhattan”, this reviewer can
suddenly find herself lost amongst the bright city lights of the New York with
all of its chaotic streets, people and smells without actually having to be
there to experience it. She also likes their unique spin on cover songs in
which they’re sung from a male point of view especially when Allen sung the 80s
retro hit by Til Tuesday, “Voices Carry”. It was moving but done dramatically
within a semi-acoustic sound featuring the combined fusion of acoustic and
electric riffs. Yet the highlight of the night was their rendition of The
Beatles “Something”. SouthSide has heard many covers performed but none never
sung that nearly brought tears to her eyes. It’s hard to describe the emotions
felt as this famous song was reverently performed ...sung with a gusto of
passion but gentle like a sweet lullaby. Thinking about it again while writing
this review, blogapot readers, almost had SouthSide in tears again. That’s how
moving that song performance was last night. It was a fitting song for this
final show by The Real Jane Martin, blogspot readers...
It was an honor and privilege for SouthSide to have rocked
the Elbo Room with this duo for six years ...fun times covering their shows and
music. For more information about The Real Jane Martin, you can visit
http://www.realjane.com.
Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide
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