Remembering singer/songwriter Grant McLennan on his birthday

Raising a glass to Grant McLennan on his birthday with a few Go-Betweens faves played with longtime pal Robert Forster. 

Whaddya mean you don't know Trig Richards

Here's "Hollywood Cat" from Bay Area bad boy Trig Richards who penned "Lisa Marie" for The Beau Brummels' Sal Valentino. 

Lola Kirke @ Longboat Hall, Wednesday

Singer/songwriter & actress Lola Kirke plays songs from her Trailblazer album at Longboat Hall tonight at 7 pm. Get tickets here.

Chicago gospel & session singer Elsa Harris tells her amazing story

Along with her work with the Jessy Dixon Singers, Elsa Harris also sang backing vocals on Chess/Cadet sessions for Charles Stepney!   

Here's the scoop from Steven Krakow...

The new Secret History of Chicago Music has gone live! (This installment is not in the monthly/new format print issue.) I was blessed to speak with Gospel diva Elsa Harris (thanks to gentleman/scholar Bob Marovich) about her early days doing session work for Chess/Cadet--thus completing my mission to cover the backing vocalists on Minnie Riperton's stone-cold classic Come Into My Garden LP (listen to the magnificent "Les Fleurs" from that album below).

Harris was MUCH more than a session singer though, she also played phenomenal keys, and was part of the foundation of the famed Jessy Dixon Singers (who you've all heard featured on 70s tracks by Paul Simon).

Harris shared unheard tales of sessions with Phil Upchurch (and his python!) and Charles Stepney, and performing at hairy prison events (and blood puddles).

Get the whole divine scoop in the Chicago Reader right here. 

Dollar Bin Delights: Xavier Cugat's Mambo at the Waldorf

Check out three tracks from bandleader Xavier Cugat's "Mambo at the Waldorf" 10" from 1952 with snazzy Art Seiden sleeve art. 

Peter Case shares video for a dying democracy "Somebody Told The Truth"

Watch "Somebody Told The Truth" off Peter Case's forthcoming album My Life To Live - Live At McCabe's out April 24.

If you can't find Peter Case's new album My Life To Live at a record shop near you, get it digitally via Apple Music here. 

Happy Birthday Antonio Adolfo!

Celebrating the birthday of Brazilian pianist Antonio Adolfo with a few of his timeless recordings along with a performance.