Chicago

Chicago Songs

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Chicago at Night

Many songs about Chicago and songs that mention Chicago have been written and recorded over the years, and as one might expect, there’s a huge list of Chicago songs on Wikipedia. Among those about Chicago, here are the ones that stand out to me:

  • Back to Chicago (Duke Tumatoe)
  • Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town) (Fred Fisher)
  • Chicago Bound (Jimmy Rogers)
  • Chicago (Sufjan Stevens)
  • Lakeshore Drive (Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah)
  • My Kind of Town (Chicago Is) (Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen)
  • Sweet Home Chicago (Robert Johnson)
  • We’re All Crazy in Chicago (Jonathon Brandmeier)

As a songwriter, I’ve always wanted to add to the list, and I’ve done just that with my upcoming single by The Jerrys, “Chicago USA.” Not just another Chicago song, the tune is also a tribute to two of my favorite childhood songs, “Downtown” and “I Know a Place”—both written by Tony Hatch and made popular by Petula Clark. Stay tuned.

More Todd Rundgren Live at the Park West

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More Todd Rundgren at Park West

Todd Rundgren did not fail to please at the Park West last week. Leading off with “I Saw the Light,” he then launched into “Love of the Common Man” and kept them coming, including “Open My Eyes,” “Sometimes I Don’t Know What to Feel,” “Black and White,” “Bang the Drum All Day, “Compassion,” “Drive,” “Lysistrata,” “Soothe,” “I’m So Proud/Ooh Baby Baby,” “Determination,” “Love in Action,” “Couldn’t I Just Tell You,” “Hello It’s Me,” and “A Dream Goes on Forever.” Fuzzy pic, incredible evening!

AxBox Cigar Box Guitars

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AxBox Tent

At the Renegade Craft Fair in Wicker Park yesterday, I got to play some of the fine instruments made by Kimmer Olesak, founder of AxBox Cigar Box Guitars. “Handcrafted from found objects and the highest quality custom materials,” each instrument was unique and had something irresistible about it. Kimmer invited me to plug into the small amplifier he had in the booth, and I took him up on it. I was impressed by the sound of these instruments and by the craftsmanship it had taken to build them.

Axbox Guitars

Not only did these three- and four-stringed instruments sound great, but many had that little “chime,” or sweet spot—whatever you’d like to call it—that you get when you play a nice instrument. Kimmer (below left, with yours truly) also makes cigar box ukuleles, and in the end, it was a Don Tomas uke that would not let me leave without it. I’ll be sure to post a pic if I can stop playing it long enough.

Kimmer and Jerry

Be sure to check out the AxBox Cigar Box Guitars website for more on these quality cigar box  guitars and ukuleles.