Illinois Entertainer October 2016 | Page 4

October 2016 • Volume 42, Number 12 • www.illinoisentertainer.com COVER STORY: RACHAEL YAMAGATA For Rachael Yamagata's inventive new fourth full-length album, Tightrope Walker, she broke so many rules of conventional recording wisdom, she can barely remember them all. After playing the major-label game via her Private Music/Aristaissued 2004 debut Happenstance, she partnered with PledgeMusic to fund her third, 2011’s Chesapeake, then teamed with the crowd-sourcing company again two years ago for her latest. And she auctioned off virtually everything but the kitchen sink. What can you put up for sale? “I think it’s just up to how creative you want to be with your ideas.” Tom Lanham has the story about the former Chicagoan and Bumpus vocalist. Page 22 Rachael Yamagata 6 HELLO MY NAME IS TOM At 76, Grammy-winning Welsh vocalist Tom Jones could easily be resting on an impressive lifetime of showbiz laurels that began in 1965. Instead, he’s entered a Renaissance period, which has included two seasons of coaching contestants on The Voice UK, a tell-all autobiography, plus two stunning Gospel records helmed by red-hot young producer Ethan Johns, 2010’s Praise & Blame and 2012’s Spirit in the Room. Tom Lanham talked to the legend on the eve of his appearance at House Of Blues. File Shure's SM58 celebrates 50, Coloring Day puts Disco Demolition to bed. Sweet Home 14 16 Media Steve nd Johnnie wrote a book about Les Paul. 18 Spins 26 Cinema Scopes Scary movie preview. 20 36 KANSAS For as long as he can remember, powerhouse vocalist Ronnie Platt was a passionate appreciator of the now legendary progressive/classic/melodic rock band Kansas. Platt fronted a lengthy list of area bands, such as a particularly fruitful run with west suburban based ARRA. Fast forward to 2016 and Platt has logged more than 200 shows as vocalist for Kansas, but was also a major motivating factor in their return to the recording studio after a 16year hiatus. Andy Argyrakis tells the tale of how Platt made it to the band, previewing their early November show at the Copernicus Center in Chicago. Blues Lane. The Rolling Stones In Mono box set reviewed. Calendar Over 1200 shows and 2100 bands in October. 30 Caught In A Mosh 34 DOPE Industrial metal underdogs, Dope, have been delivering their melodic brand of rage for nearly 20 years. The band emerged in 1997 when Ministry was already wellestablished, Nine Inch Nails were immensely popular, and White Zombie was hitting their stride. While there were plenty of innovative bands in the genre who were already doing their own thing, Dope quietly-yet-defiantly stood on its own. Edsel has never graced the stage at the Concord Music Hall, but he’s super psyched to be bringind his Die MFer Die reunion tour here. "I would tell fans to expect the best of Dope, we’re going to bring it hard. I think the Concord will be a great show and it’ll be great to reconnect with our Chicago crowd.” Kelley Simms talked to Edsel. Testament prepares for new music. Studiophile Gravity Studios tracks the greats. Classifieds You dumped your boyfriend's vocalist, now you're looking for another. Gear Supro's new Comet. Publisher Advertising Sales Contributors: John Vernon Scott Assmann Mike Engel Andy Argyrakis, Guy Arnston, Penelope Biver, Patrick Conlan, Deena Dasein, Jaime de'Medici, Jeff Elbel Terrence Flamm, Steve Forstneger Michael Gallucci, Michael C. Harris, Max Herman, Tom Lanham, Carter Moss, Brian Ormiston, Greg Olma Arsenio Orteza, Rodney Pawlak, Bruce Pilato, Matthew Pollock, Jessi Roti Jason Scales, Kelley Simms, Ed Spinelli, Tim Shockley, James Turano Contributing Editors Curt Baran Mike Meyer Tom Lanham Lori Vernon Advertising Director Design Team Notion Pool Notion Pool Dragon Design Vision Design Senior Columnists Classified Advertising David Gedge Founder John Vernon Website Direction Rosalind Cummings-Yeates - Sweet Home Rick Kaempfer - Media Kenneth L. Voss Kelley Simms - Caught In A Mosh Publisher Emeritis David C. Eldredge Bruce Pilato - East Coast David Roberts 4 illinoisentertainer.com october 2016 SUBSCRIPTIONS: $35 per year (first class). Material for insertion must reach our office by the First Of The Month preceding publication. We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Follow us online at: facebook.com illinoisentertainer.tumblr.com twitter.com @ie_entertainer 6 48 50 54 Address All Correspondence to: Illinois Entertainer 4223 W. Lake St., Suite 490 Chicago, IL 60624 [phone] - Chicago/North Sub [phone] - West/South Suburbs [phone] - Fax email us at: Editorial: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] The ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER is published monthly by Roberts Publishing, Inc, All materials copyright 2015 by Roberts Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from Roberts Publishing, Inc. Current and back issues of the IE are $10.00 postpaid.