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Ethel keeps up with Jackson, Rundgren |
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Written by AUGUST FORTE, photos by LYLE A. WAISMAN
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Saturday, 14 May 2005 |
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Chicago’s ornate Cadillac Palace Theatre was the setting for a recent night of music that featured cult musicians Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson with support from maverick string quartet Ethel.
The latter positively shined during the opening set, leaving a sea of new converts screaming for more. The quartet, comprised of two violins, a viola and a cello, benefited from the venue’s superior acoustics, as they plucked furiously, held notes sustained and played with the general abandon of a rock band. Hailing from New York, Ethel offered up Big Apple attitude as they drew inspiration from Middle Eastern and Finnish styles, highlighting the work of contemporary composer John King.
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Joe Jackson, Todd Rundgren and Ethel
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 Entertainment
Art
Cadillac Palace Theatre
Chicago, Ill.
May 14, 2005 |
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Also in from NYC—although he first made a name for himself as part of the British new wave—was Joe Jackson. The veteran piano man, dapper in purple and black, was in fine form, seemingly reinvigorated after last year’s celebrated tour with his old backing band.
He played solo tonight, however, engaged to the Yamaha Grand for a set that drew from various points throughout his quarter century career. Standouts included a stately “Different for Girls,” a heartfelt “Real Men” and a show stopping “Love at First Light,” Joe’s recent meditation on the matchbook transition from dark to daylight.
Todd Rundgren took the stage next for a set that can best be described as erratic. Ever the iconoclast, Rundgren (who also played solo) followed a lovely, guitar-driven “I Saw the Light” with a self effacing piano read of his signature “Hello, It’s Me” and a charming, if slightly goofy, ukulele-propelled “Bang on the Drum.” He dashed off, leaving his audience wanting more, only to return moments later to introduce Jackson and Ethel, who reconvened to collaborate on Jackson’s “The Other Me.”
Rundgren appeared again, more than redeeming himself with a brilliant lead vocal on his own “Pretending to Care,” backed by a frantic Ethel. All three performers then launched into a thrilling cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and finished the night off with a stunning take on Rundgren’s “Black Maria.”
When the house lights came on, Jackson and Rundgren had more than established their fervent cult followings. But it was a fiery Ethel, stunning as both a group and as backing musicians, who stole the show.
Photo courtesy of Joe Jackson Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
