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The CHIRP Blog
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesTop Five Songs About Chicago Mayors
Chicagoans go to the polls next week, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel is feeling fine. The latest Chicago Tribune poll shows the mayor with a commanding 25-point lead over his nearest challenger, Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia. Despite a turbulent four years, Emanuel needs just five more percentage points to avoid a spring run-off and guarantee his second term as mayor. For as polarizing as Emanuel remains, he's yet to inspire the same kind of musical protests (or promotions) like those of his predecessors. We dug through the archives and found five songs about Chicago mayors that capture the conflicts and complexities leading the Second City.
Mike Bennett writesFriday MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Roberta Flack Edition
[originally published in 2012]
Her smooth tones and songs that touched upon jazz, R & B and pop turned her into a star and a major influence on a generation of singers, including Lauryn Hill. And to think, Roberta Flack might not have had a hit record if not for Clint Eastwood. Flack’s debut album came out to nice notices and dismal sales. But the song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was used in the movie where Clint plays a DJ — Play Misty For Me — in 1972, which led to it becoming the smash hit that got Flack’s career going. From there, she had other hits, including the massive “Killing Me Softly”, along with some great duets with Donny Hathaway. She’s still active today, having just released an album of Beatles songs that is getting good reviews. Let’s pay tribute to this genre blender by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle and sharing the first 10 tunes that come up.
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesOn Tape: An Evening with Nat King Cole (1963)
Welcome to On Tape, CHIRP's weekly exploration of Chicago music in films, videos, and beyond. Each week, our editors will reach back into the archives for the interviews, music videos, live concert appearances, and found footage of the city's most important musical icons. This week: Nat King Cole.
I remember the first love song that I ever loved. I was in grade school, and my grandmother had just picked me up from school in her then-new 1991 Dodge Dynasty. Unlike her old, boat-like Toronado, the new car was smaller, more fuel-efficient. It also had a cassette player, which, on this day, contained one of the only tapes that my grandmother ever purchased: a greatest-hits compilation of Nat King Cole. My grandmother loved Nat King Cole; for years after this, even as her hearing and vision started to go, it wasn't uncommon to hear the opening strains of "Unforgettable" (then played on a CD player that she could navigate by touch) slipping through the crack in her door while she got ready for the day. However, that was all still to come.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesIn Rotation: Victor Villareal
As the guitarist for Joan of Arc, Owls, Ghosts & Vodka and Cap'n Jazz, Victor Villareal has made his mark as one of the top musicians in Chicago. His playing style, which incorporates Spanish and metal influences, might even help warm you up on a chilly February night. His 2nd solo album Sleep Talk is currently in rotation on CHIRP Radio!
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesTop Five Chicago Soul Love Songs for Your Valentine’s Mix
Valentine's Day is this Saturday, one of the few days left in this Spotify'd world when the humble mixtape (or CD) still gets a chance to shine. Whether you're cooking up a romantic playlist for a partner or celebrating schadenfreude with some anti-love tunes, your mix isn't complete without one thing: some smooth Chicago soul. On this week's Top Five, we've got five songs from the city's soul heyday that would make any potential crush pull off their headphones and take notice. As a courtesy, we've also included some mix placement suggestions intended to maximize romantic impact. You're welcome in advance.