Salif Keita’s 40 years of vocal majesty have humble roots
Malian singer Salif Keita's voice can waver over astounding stretches, especially in flights when he seems like he's at his most vulnerable. This vibrato derived, in part, from a chore...
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Review: Aretha Franklin buoyant at Chicago Theatre
Aretha Franklin danced and stepped lightly onstage at the Chicago Theatre on Friday. Sometimes she grinned and simply raised her fists to affirm the capacity audience's adulation. These were cheerful,...
‘MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson’ by Steve Knopper grooves
On May 16, 1983, "Motown 25" aired on NBC. That television special was intended to celebrate the Detroit record label, but its defining moment came when Michael Jackson performed "Billie...
World Music Fest preview: Sample the global smorgasbord
The 17th annual World Music Festival Chicago continues to bring global artists to venues across the city. While this event presents crucial opportunities to experience all kinds of performers, these...
Review: ‘Dreams to Remember’ by Mark Ribowsky
During Otis Redding's far-too-brief 26 years, he made numerous commanding first impressions. At the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival he overwhelmed the folkies and burgeoning psychedelic rockers with hard-driving R&B shouts...
At Blues Fest, Buddy Guy pays homage to King
After a brief rain and lightning delay, Buddy Guy came onstage at Grant Park's Petrillo Music Shell on Saturday and launched into his "Damn Right I've Got The Blues." Throughout...
Chicago Blues Fest preview: Buddy Guy to Clarence Carter
Defiance is part of the blues and that's one reason why it remains so vibrant. This attitude has become more crucial recently as the music faces not only a diminished...
Songhoy Blues is leading its own sonic rebellion
When singer/guitarist Aliou Toure talks about growing up in northern Mali, the way he describes his attitude back then would have resonated with teenagers an ocean away. Through the radio...
So Percussion makes mayhem with mallets
The chamber ensemble So Percussion has a straightforward name, but like this quartet itself, it has a way of revealing more than what may be initially apparent. "So" is derived...
Katherine Young takes the bassoon to unexpected places
Bassoonist Katherine Young thrives in unexpected terrain. Along with her fluid, surprising shifts across her instrument's range, she enhances its natural sound with pedals and electronic amplification. She also uses...