On December 13, I took a long drive to Des Plaines to pick up relatives of my friend Perry Kanlan, a showbiz-adjacent eccentric known as Dancin’ Man. The time on the road gave me the chance to reflect on the circumstances of my relationship with him. I formally met Perry in 2011, when my friend […]
Tag: James Brown
Posted inMusic
Sugar Pie DeSanto brings her unbreakable AAPI spirit to soul music
Sugar Pie DeSanto’s seven-decade career has included touring with James Brown, writing for Chess Records, and recording the 1966 hit “In the Basement” with Etta James.
Posted inMusic
James Brown’s “Funky President (People It’s Bad)” is unfortunately relevant again
Written shortly after Nixon’s resignation, James Brown’s “Funky President (People It’s Bad)” speaks to today’s political corruption too.
Posted inMusic
Entertainment lawyer Jay B. Ross fought for the people who made the music he loved
An expert negotiator, he went to bat for stars as big as James Brown and Muddy Waters, but he also clawed back royalties for countless forgotten artists who’d never gotten their due.
Posted inMusic
Cosmic-minded jazz combo Spaceship Love made its only album in the 80s
Guitarist Samuel “Bebop” Thomas and vocalist Maja Rios formed the core of the groovy but underdocumented Spaceship Love.
Posted inFilm
The 2017 Chicago International Film Festival, reviewed
Watching the watchers at the Chicago International Film Festival
Posted inBlogs
At long last the African music from Ali and Foreman’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ sees release
The dazzling two-CD set Zaire 74: The African Artists presents electric performances from Congolese musical royalty and South African legend Miriam Makeba.
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Licking Stick’ is one of James Brown’s best songs, but what’s a ‘licking stick’?
Author James McBride will appear at the Chicago Humanities Festival to discuss his latest book, Kill ‘Em and Leave, which answers many questions about James Brown. But one question remains.
Posted inBlogs
Pop a cork in honor of 70s funk and the J.B.’s
Today’s 12 O’Clock Track is “Here We Come, Here We Go, Were We Are,” from James Brown’s band (and 70s-funk instructor) the J.B.’s.
Posted inBlogs
Presents of the Lords, and the rest of this week’s screenings
New reviews and notable screenings in this week’s issue
Posted inMusic
In Rotation: Exit Ghost guitarist Michael Golas on Amen Dunes’ embrace of collapse
Current musical obsessions of Exit Ghost guitarist Michael Golas and artist Elena Ailes
Posted inMusic
The Secret History of Chicago Music: The Rovin’ Kind
Polished garage band the Rovin’ Kind had a second life on Epic Records as the Illinois Speed Press.
Posted inMusic
In Rotation: Andrew Barber of Fake Shore Drive on Ma$e, Too $hort, and E-40
Musical obsessions of MC Tree and Fake Shore Drive’s Andrew Barber
Posted inBlogs
The greatest Soul Train performance?
James Brown plays the daylights out of a Soul Train performance