What a week! Between the influx of Chicago political workers involved in the inaugural activities and 20 Elvis impersonators vying for the Midwest crown (plus the legions of fans to adore them), Springfield will be engorged with interesting characters. Let’s hope no one gets too confused and inaugurates an Elvis as governor, though from listening to the victory speech of the governor-elect–and with a little work on that hair–he could be a favorite at the Elvis contest.
Now for us peasants, check out these down-to-earth performances. James Edward Snow, son of late bluesman Eddie Snow and a member of his dad’s group, the Snowflakes, has put together a bunch of musicians to hit Robbie’s early Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the Uptown music series. Snow and pals then pack it up for a walk down the block to Marly’s Pub, where the show goes on from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday marks the return of Celtic-rockers The Lash to Marly’s corner stage. Favorites from several St. Patty’s Day celebrations, these guys move from traditional Irish music to a fiery number by the Who or a blistering Johnny Cash tune all in the same set. They have a considerable selection of original tunes too, and have conveniently placed them on a CD for your purchase and perusal.
Froggy’s marks a return to live music with one band composed of members from two mainstay local groups. Called the Suns of CircumDaddies, the amalgamation could have been called the Groove Stance as well. (That should fill in the blanks for you astute capital city music watchers.) The AMA–the “M” is for motorcycle–hosts the open-to-the-public holiday party this Saturday night, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Norb Andy’s strikes again with the hot jazz-fusion sounds of FH3. Behind this innocuous band moniker lies the exciting music of the “Frank Huston Trio.” Not only do you get Frank, the flash-of-lightening guitarist, there’s Terry Brennen, a master bassist, and Mr. Springfield music man himself, the great John Sluzalis on drums. Experience this tasteful trio in the wonderful listening room at Norb’s, from 9 p.m. to midnight, where you’ll not only see the fellas sweat, you’ll smell and feel it too. And that’s a good thing. Really.
Lovers of big bottoms always enjoy a Low Phat show and what better place to feel the 3 bass guitar attack than Bernie and Betty’s Pizza. Jeff Cunningham and the four-string fanatics wind their way through some unclaimed instrumental territory while on their way to bottom end bliss all on a Sunday night from 8 to 10 p.m.
So enjoy this revelry for the masses, while invitation-only parties for the politicians abound and the battles of the Elvises rage on. We here in the trenches of the nightlife will be here long after the others have come and gone. Enjoying music, washing it down with a cold one, and watching the world go by from the comfort of a barstool.
This article appears in Jun 26 – Jul 2, 2003.
