Review Centre: Blues Bands

"The combination of virtuosity and emotion in André's playing is rare to find. Every note that comes out of his guitar seems to carry feeling and history. He is a complete musician, with a vast repertoire and impeccable playing. I recommend him to any lover of live music!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It’s quite possible to stroll right past the place while navigating West Kinzie Street, just a wee bit north of the Chicago River, and not even realize it. The only concrete clue that you’ve arrived at your destination is the sight of a black canvas entrance emblazoned with the curious moniker of the joint. It’s called Untitled, and that handle is purposely nondescript, only adding to the overall mystique of the nightspot. Head down a short flight of stairs, say hello to the doorman (there’s no cover), and you’ll find that Untitled offers a welcoming hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the Loop, which sits only a few blocks south on the other side of the river. During the Prohibition era, speakeasies dotted the Windy City landscape where those so inclined could quaff an alcoholic libation or two while securely hidden away from the long arm of the law. But those long-ago speaks were never this spacious or glamorously appointed. Make no mistake: this is a classy operation all the way, so you won’t spy any tennis shoes or sweatsuits sullying the polished dance floor. When the Rhythm Rockets take the stage at Untitled, as they’ve been doing on the second Wednesday evening of every month for a while now starting at 7:30 p.m. and going strong for three hours, the joint proceeds to jump to a barrage of eminently danceable rhythms. The music meshes perfectly with the delicious food and cool drinks that can be ordered by summoning your lovely waitress. You can dine on such delicacies as steak tartare, sea scallops, and mushroom tortellini, and top your feast off with a scrumptious slice of whoopee pie, a blend of dark chocolate-espresso cake, peanut butter mousse, and powdered sugar. There was a fair amount of dancing happening during the Rhythm Rockets’ most recent Untitled engagement, but most of the sizable crowd was content to soak in the swinging soiree at their tables or from their barstools. The sound quality was exceptionally crisp and full-bodied all night long; Dave Downer’s concise guitar licks sliced through the air with authority, and Nicole Kestler’s delightful vocals were mixed at precisely the right level for maximum enjoyment as she sailed through longtime Rhythm Rockets favorites that included Little Esther’s “Oo Papa Do,” the relaxed pre-war blues lament “Trouble In Mind,” and the band’s scorching arrangement of Ruth Brown’s “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean” that they often use as a set closer. The sizzling sax section (tenors Michael Bielecki and Vince Salerno and baritone Justin Kierans) was tight and right throughout the evening, and the rock-solid combination of bassist Lou Marini and drummer Mark Fornek kept the grooves hitting on all cylinders. Mark usually sings a song or two on each set prior to Nicole’s entrance, and now he’s previewing a few Chicago blues numbers that he’s also singing with Dave’s new side band, the Five Alibis. Vince switched over to harmonica to give Little Walter’s ominous “I Don’t Play” an authentic Chicago blues sound, although the horns returned when Mark launched into Junior Wells’ playful shuffle “The Things I’d Do For You.” If you’re anywhere near River North on the second Wednesday of this or any month in the near future, take a walk down Kinzie and seek out Untitled, even if you have to look hard for it. It’s altogether worth the effort--and a great place to check out the Rhythm Rockets doing what they do best! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Awesome band, awesome musicians and Michelle can sing anything beautifully from swing to jazz to rocknroll. Just do not get to see them enough on the Sunny Coast. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"John L booked One Eyed Cats for their event Hi Guys, Thanks for helping make the party on Saturday so successful. I have had some great feedback and comments! Regards, Sally"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Crotchet Club was the best choice we could have made for our wedding. The band were incredible! The music added to the overall vibe of the wedding, making it feel both relaxed and special. The band played professionally and beautifully and guests have been complimenting them ever since. The booking process itself was simple and easy and we absolutely encourage other couples to look into The Crotchet Club for their wedding!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What more can I say about Kenneth Stone the entertainment for our annual Northeast Chamber Fat Tuesday celebration. The crowd was young, old and diverse which Ken picked up on right away. His playlist was amazing. He had us all on our feet. We already have him booked again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" Roadhouse BAND you guys were excellent and your sets were top notch! Your entertainment gave it a real PARTY feel. Thanks for celebrating with us!"

Reply by Roadhouse band
We had such an awesome time playing for People Services--YOU GUYS KNOW HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TIME --THANK YOU!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A fantastic party We had a fantastic party with great jazz and beautiful vocals. I hope to do it again sometime and definitely with the same people. Thank you. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"You might expect an album with edgy, teal-lit cover art and the title of The Isolation Blues, by the Mike Goudreau Band, to be either dark and brooding or a real barroom stomper, showcasing the loudest guitar you’ve heard since Jimi Hendrix’s. Instead, from the first notes, you’ll find it’s a peppy ensemble extravaganza with horns galore. More’s the better, too – the Winter Solstice is coming up, and we need an eye-opening blast of sunshine in the middle of it. Smooth, jazzy-influenced, and boasting crystal-clear vocals, it’s a must-play on New Year’s Eve. Born in 1965 in Newport, Vermont, into a musical family with an English mother and a French-Canadian father, Mike Goudreau picked up his first guitar at age 14 and hasn’t stopped playing since. His early influences included the Beatles, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and later, Albert King, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Powder Blues and Downchild – to name a few. Such diverse interests help to explain why Mike is comfortable in so many musical genres, especially jazz and blues. Since 2007, Mike’s songs have been heard on hundreds of network TV shows and films, such as the TV movie The Happiest Season (Hulu), Dynasty (CBS), the Universal Pictures film Dark Waters, the Hollywood film The Banker, starring Samuel Jackson (2020), The Neighborhood (CBS), NCIS Los Angeles (CBS), and Chicago PD (NBC), among several others. Joining Mr. Goudreau (vocals, guitars, bass and hand claps) are Jean-Francois Begin (think Menachem Begin, not “begin”) on drums and percussion, Dany Roy on tenor sax and trumpet, Ira Friedman on organ and piano, and Pascal Veilette on harmonica. You know all the shows and films mentioned earlier? Together, they spell diamond-level QUALITY. That’s what’s been poured into each of the fourteen original tracks on this CD. Every note, every musical phrase, glimmers like the light off one of that gem’s many facets. This is real-deal blues, whether in swing/jump form (as on the opener “Let’s Go Down to the River”), the angsty, harmonica-infused title track, the guitar and piano boogie known as “The Mooch,” or the laid-back instrumental “Sea Breeze Blues.” Any band can crank out an album in their garage or basement and deem it good enough, but not Goudreau and his posse. They care about their offerings like Michelangelo cared about David, or Da Vinci the Mona Lisa. That’s because they’re not just musicians. Not just craftsmen. They’re artists, and don’t you forget it. Got The Isolation Blues? Here’s the cure, or at least the vaccine! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Wonderfully atmospheric We asked the Jazz Centrale trio to play during the reception at our annual celebration for long-service awardees and retirees. Their music truly added an extra touch of atmosphere. They play brilliantly and have a wonderful repertoire. Definitely worth repeating!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for making our ceremony and wedding so magical, emotional and unique! Thank you especially for your flexibility, all our wishes were granted and we will always remember it with a smile!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Η μπάντα Ixeis Afixeis προσφέρει μια μοναδική μουσική εμπειρία, γεμάτη αυθεντικότητα και πάθος. Με το πλούσιο ρεπερτόριό τους, που περιλαμβάνει λαϊκά, ρεμπέτικα και παραδοσιακά ελληνικά τραγούδια, ξέρουν να κλέβουν την παράσταση σε κάθε εκδήλωση. Η ζωντανή τους παρουσία και η εκρηκτική ενέργεια που μεταφέρουν στο κοινό κάνουν κάθε στιγμή αξέχαστη. Ιδανική επιλογή για κάθε γιορτή που θέλει να αναδείξει την ελληνική μουσική κουλτούρα!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked Groove Jacks for the Wrington Beer Festival and they were very professional from start to finish. Arrived on time, were very friendly and helpful and played a great set that had the audience up and dancing, highly recommended."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I recognise immediately that these serious musicians are challenging the listener and themselves to play outside the box.(...) Music Soup is a good name for this trio of musicians because they embrace a mixed bag of styles and musical concepts that mirror their decade of playing together and their individual personalities... ... Because they have been working together for ten years, Music Soup has a tight, cohesive sound. Their music is well written and produced. On “Your Song” horns join the group. Special guests Dimitris Papadopoulos on trumpet, Dimitri Vassilakis on tenor sax and Antonis Andreou on trombone fatten the sound. However these horns, (nicely arranged by Haris Ziouva) are merely icing on the creative cake that Karlafti and Dimopoulos have baked. Nestor’s bluesy guitar and Evgenia Karlafti’s organ mastery are the fireworks of this production. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I wanted to say what a superb performance you put on for our 220 wedding guests. Your music was absolutely fantastic and created the perfect vibe and atmosphere for our outdoor garden party. You all looked awesome too. Thank you so much for everything, and for coming all the way to Norfolk, we thoroughly appreciated it all, and so many of our guests commented on how great you were too. I also wanted to say how excellent your communication was both before and during the event. Overall you've been a real pleasure to work with."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: