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A little over a year ago, if you had a subscription to the Chicago Tribune, you would have come across a nine-page spread in the Sunday Magazine (you can see a PDF of it here). That nine page spread, published as a photo portfolio was a rare glimpse into the world of Chicago's the South Side nightclub scene, 1965-76. It was as much a visual document of the music and culture scenes in the city as it was about how a passion for photography and music brought photographer Michael Abramson and musician Corky Siegel to know Pepper's and Perv's House.
But even if you weren't reading the Trib's Sunday Magazine last May, the guys a Chicago's Numero Group were, and "it spoke volumes about a scene we can only dream about." After months of legal wrangling and licensing issues, and more hours that one can imagine working on layouts and design, Numero is getting ready to put a 132-page hardback book out in the fall. Light: On the South Side features over 100 images from Abramson's years hanging around the aforementioned night clubs, as well as an essay by Nick Hornby and a two LP, 17 track compilation representing a soundtrack of those years in the clubs. They've sent us a short preview of what you can expect when you open the book's pages.
Be sure to check out Time Out Chicago's preview as well.
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I seriously have to wonder why they got Nick Hornby, of all possible people, to do an essay.
To move some units?
You have to think there would be better options for moving units concerning Chicago's South Side club scene of the '60s and '70s than including the commentary of some random Brit.
Some famous Brit, you mean. PR.
Some famous Brit who has absolutely nothing to do with Chicago's South Side club scene of the '60s and '70s. Bad PR.
Geez are you really this thick, who are you suggesting? All those famous writers, famous for writing about the criminally overlooked soul scene from back then? Who are those famous writers that'll help give some instant name recognition to blog articles and press about this? I'm sure they're very happy they got somebody who's pretty famous that they could name drop in the press sheets. Less fail Blue.
Dempsy Travis for one...
Haki Madhubuti for another...
I'll give you more in a moment
You'd argue the fuzziness of moss with a rock, wouldn't you, Navin? You've really been living up to your icon lately.
Yeah, I kinda agree. I had to pigeonhole a writer, but something like this would seem to be more fleshed out and more detailed by a writer who was there. I mean, are there no Chicago writers, white or black, who were there. It's sort of like reading about D-Day from Tom Brokaw or someone who was actually there. They both might be good, but that personal experience aspect is unique. But I'll wait and read it, I guess.
Yes, for the life of me I've never understood why people choose famous but not perfectly suited people to guest on their recordings....sales?
Anyway,
I recommend this great book to both of you if you haven't read it: http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Soul-Music-American-Life/dp/0252062590
of course if, he was chosen, nobody would have made any comments........
Yes, for the life of me I've never understood why people choose famous but not perfectly suited people to guest on their recordings....sales?
There are probably millions more non-famous people who are asked to "guest" on recording than famous recordings. They're called session men and good musicians go to them before some name guy. There are guys you probably don't know the name of who have been asked to "guest" on more albums that someone like John Mayer every will. Real musicians will opt for talent over a name every time.
Real musicians will opt for talent over a name every time.
I fully agree! Hey, this is a photo book right?
BTW, my personal account of what it was like to be an Irish lad during Swinging Sixties who travels to London to make his fortune on Canaby Street will be coming out in the fall...
Although to be fair, Hornby's piece is only an essay in the book, and not the entire. And my guess is that he's going to look at it from the aspect of the Northern Soul scene in Northern England in the late 60s and 70s, which involved probably a lot of the same music that the people in these photos were listening to. I'm guessing Hornby is familiar with that scene and his books do tend to have a lot of music in them.
These images are amazing. Who cares about the writer?
This was way back before Chicago became a giant mall for fat midwesterners to live in and think that they are living in "the city"
Love it.