This year, the Park West Theater proudly hosted the 18th annual Hopefest, the leading benefit event supporting the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. The CCH is a non-profit organization formed in 1980 with the intent to help prevent and end homelessness in Chicago. In order to maintain its independence, the organization does not rely on the government but rather on the people’s good will to be able to function. Hopefest is reported to be able to generate $50,000 - directly allocated to support this honorable cause.
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Hopefest 2009
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 Entertainment
Art
Park West
Chicago, IL
March 21, 2009
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This year, Hopefest brought to the Park West two of Chicago’s best, Lubriphonic and The Freddy Jones Band. Both bands, that seem to be strangely related by the peculiar story of their band names (Lubriphonic didn’t name their own band, and The Freddy Jones Band has never had anyone named Freddy Jones on it), played a mighty loud funky jam that didn’t leave anyone with a pulse standing still.
Lubriphonic can be an odd name, but describes the band members well if you think of a well-oiled sound engine…the band exploded on to the Park West stage with “Mixin' In The Kitchen” in a true funky sound and attitude, heavy on horns, and good-time party style. The band sounded road tested through tunes like “Soul Solution”, which happens to be the name of the band’s 3rd album just released last year. An incredibly tight horn section punched in the right places, bassist Jowuan Scott slapped with gusto while the drummer Rick King packed a mighty punch with such a precision that his fills took the roof off of the place. Saxophonist Michael Turner just added the frosting on top of the cake.
The fact that guitarist Giles Corey had broken his ankle recently and performed the whole gig sitting in a chair did not diminish his stage presence nor the top notch quality (and quantity!) of his guitar solos. The band delivered such a solid funk performance that it was capable of making even a discerning Chicago audience get up on their feet.
The most important part of the event happened in between Lubriphonics and The Freddy Jones’ sets with a loud, fast and furious live auction. Wide screens tempted the audience with prizes, which included a trip to Africa, autographed Chicago Blackhawks’ jersey and game-used stick, Chicago Cub’s wall banner, Freddy Jones Band own signed electric guitar, and a 4-course dinner for 6 guests (plus private dessert lesson!) prepared in your house by Chicago owns famous Chef Radhika.
Right after the auction break, we were honored to experience The Freddy Jones Band, who fired the party back up with “And She Cried”. Formed in the late 80’s, FJB feels pretty much like a hybrid of the Grateful Dead and Dave Matthews, the kind of jam band that you can listen to all day while cruising down the road as miles fly by on a summer day. Ironically enough, I understand that most of their songs actually do reflect their own experiences while on the road.
With Marty Lloyd, Wayne Healy and Rob Bonaccorsi on guitars and vocals, Simon Horrocks on drums and Jim Bonaccorsi on bass, The Freddy Jones seems very well equipped to deliver songs filled with guitar solos and great backing vocals. Laid back and subdued at times, they still delivered the goods by playing all their good old material including favorites “Waitress” and “Mystic Buzz”. The FJB closed the night with their signature songs “In a Daydream” and “Take the Time” at the encore, both from their first album way back in 1993. It may have closed with nostalgia, but also with plenty of harmony and emotional guitar solos.
After a 5-year break, the FJB is back and the audience received them with open arms. This year, The Freddy Jones Band has made available a Special Limited Edition of their new CD “Time Well Wasted”. Only 1,000 copies will be sold via the band's website and at live shows. The CD contains 10 new live versions of Freddy Jones classic songs as well as 3 brand new studio tracks recorded in 2008.
Lubriphonics and The Freddy Jones Band delivered an amazing show while the venues excellent sound and multimedia display enhanced the bands performances. Thanks to sponsors, volunteers, donators and active participants of the auctions, and last but not least, thanks to the audience, who sold out the Park West in support for a good cause. Proof again that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts.
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Excellent!
Written by Guest on 2009-04-01 15:00:42
Both great bands! |
The Lube in telluride
Written by Guest on 2009-08-18 22:08:35
 What can i say this music loving Girl who once upon a time worked for Bill in San Fran. She now lives in a small mountain town. What a Beautiful earfull of the sound of great GROOVE.they have the sound i have been missing! with great hope they will return soon, so i can dance the night away! from their Favorite fan in Colorado |
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