New Single: Chicago USA

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Cover art for "Chicago USA" by The Jerrys

My new single, “Chicago USA,” is now available as a free download. The song is a tribute to two of my favorite childhood songs, “Downtown” and “I Know a Place” (both made popular by Petula Clark), as well as my contribution to songs about Chicago. I’ve nothing against “Sweet Home Chicago,” but it’s time for a new Chicago song, and this is what I think it should sound like:

 

Chicago USA

There’s a place I know
where you can go.
Every time you go there
you feel good.
It’s a real cool place to be.
It’s the kind of place for me.
It’s where I want to be–
always something
to be found
always something
going down wow!

Chicago
Chicago USA
Chicago U-S-A!

There’s a place I know
where you can be
anything you want to.
It’s all good.
It’s such a sight to see!
It’s just right for me.
It’s where I want to be–
always something
downtown
always something
going round wow!

Chicago
Chicago USA
Chicago U-S-A!

Music and lyrics ©2016 by Jerry Schwartz

Go ahead. Give it a listen!

2017 Summer Reading

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When I finish reading Beatles Gear and Stephen Donaldson’s The Power That Preserves, I’ll have to read two of these titles I bought recently at City Newsstand:

I’d already read the issue of Tape Op, as I’m a subscriber and read/save every issue, but my May/June issue was mauled in the mail and I wanted a clean copy. I look forward to reading the other two soon!

Born on This Day: Saint Jerome

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Saint Jerome

On this day in 347, St. Jerome was born, and while I’m no longer a Catholic, I fondly recall taking Jerome as my confirmation name when I was a boy (that was already my baptismal name). I thought it was cool that he translated the Bible into Latin, as that seemed to me such an impossible task. As a young adult, I learned the story of Jerome ‘s taming a lion by removing a thorn from his paw when Jerome appeared with a lion on the cover of Tom Regan’s The Case for Animal Rights.

In the painting of Jerome shown above, “the admonition that Jerome has fixed to the wall, ‘Cogita Mori’ (Think upon death), is made explicit by the skull. His Bible is open to an image of the Last Judgment, while the hourglass and candle, objects often found on a desk, are further reminders of the passage of time and the imminence of death” (Wikipedia).

Jerrys Announce New EP, ‘The Wind Cries Jerrys’

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The Jerrys drums logo by ScottyRocks

It’s official: The Wind Cries Jerrys, a 6-song EP containing new original songs by Jerry Schwartz, will be released by The Jerrys in 2017. Recording is well under way and expected to be completed by spring, with mixing and mastering to follow. A new single, “Chicago USA,” which the band previewed live on WZRD Chicago in 2016, will be released ahead of the EP.

Track listing
  1. Chicago USA
  2. Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo
  3. I Think About You
  4. Ms. Wonderful
  5. Another Glorious Day
  6. Anna Marie

The new release also features Robert Porche’ (drums), Jim Losby (bass guitar), and a surprise guest. Stay tuned for new music by the Jerrys!

(Image is a photo of original print by ScottyRocks.)

Sears Silvertone Amplifiers

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You don’t see a lot of Sears Silvertone amplifiers out in the wild anymore, but there are actually two in this photo from 40 years ago. To the right is the amp I’m playing through, and to the left is a guitar case with a built-in amplifier and speaker. I received the latter for Christmas when I was in the fourth grade.