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Things To Do With your Discretionary Income
When You Live In Chicago - Featuring Paul Emmett
Last Saturday night marked a milestone for one of Chicago's
longest running musical circuses. Local legends Mr.
Blotto celebrated the release of their latest studio effort
'Cabbages & Kings'. The CD (which gets its title
from Lewis Carroll's book 'Though the Looking Glass') is the
fourth studio effort for the band, and first featuring guitarist
Mark Hague. The rest of the band is made up of brothers
Mike and Paul Bolger (on bass and acoustic guitar, respectively),
Dave Allen on keys, and kept in time by Alan Baxter on drums.
"Cabbages" itself is a delectable collection of
the band's latest song writing efforts that ranges from the
funktafied, groovin' shuffle of "Keepin it Up",
to the rollicking-fun country twang of " Nebraska".
Throw in the stretched out jams of songs like "1977",
and the Monday morning anthem "Workin for the Man",
and you have yourself an album that can stand up to, if not
blow away most efforts put out by similar bands on a national
level.
As enjoyable as 'Cabbages & Kings' is in the CD player,
it pales in comparison to seeing the band in a live setting.
On Saturday many fellow Chicagoans did just that, packing
the Vic Theatre for a celebration with the band. After
an enjoyable opening set by the band Cornmeal, the rowdy crowd
was treated to a two-hour action packed set featuring many
of the cuts from 'Cabbages and Kings', including the Irish-
themed "Kelly Marie" and the soulful "Delilah".
The show also featured some of Mr. Blotto's best known tunes,
such as "One Puff" off of 'Ancient Face', and "Kiss
Me in the Morning" and "Sail Away Virginia"
from 'Bad Hair Day'.
The band was joined on stage by Troy Anderson's Fat Back
Horn Section, as well as local artist Michelle Hallman on
the bongos. The crowd was also treated to the band's
interpretations of rock and roll classics such as "Pigs"
and "China Cat Sunflower".
The show was full of energy, and explained why they've been
one of the most dominant bands in the Chicago music scene
in the last 5+ years. All in all the crowd was left
pumped up and not ready to leave the theatre at the end of
the show.
If you are ever in the Chicagoland area I would HIGHLY suggest
catching one of their "Rock and Roll All Night and Party
Every Day" extravaganzas! You can check out a sample
of their music, check out where they're playing next, or order
'Cabbages & Kings' at www.mrblotto.com
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