conner
Thomas Conner biography
Pop Music Critic Thomas Conner has worked in music and features journalism for nearly 20 years. At the Sun-Times, he's been Music Editor since arriving …Read More
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A higher power — Reunited Megadeth finds God to their liking
THOMAS CONNER: The brutal hard rock band now prays together before every show — twice. “They probably think there’s going to be a goat in the middle of the prayer circle,” says singer Dave Mustaine.
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Conner on Obama playlist: From Jennifer Hudson to the Boss to Aretha to ELO to Ledisi
The chief digs his music, that much is clear. That was a credible Al Green impression President Barack Obama slipped into a speech during a Jan. 19 fund-raising event at the famed Apollo Theater. Not only did the YouTube clip of the singer-in-chief go viral, …Read More
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Music of Lenny Kravitz transcends cultural borders
THOMAS CONNER: The eclectic rocker says “I didn’t understand prejudice” while growing up surrounded by people of many colors.
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A great Glen Campbell goes out with style in ‘Goodbye Tour’
THOMAS CONNER: On his “Goodbye Tour,” which stopped Thursday night (and repeated Friday) at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, country-pop legend Glen Campbell played all his hits and more in an 80-minute show that was at times moving, confusing, funny and sad.
The Playlist: What’s in the earbuds this week
Lana Del Rey, “Born to Die” (Interscope) ★ 1/2 She tanked on “Saturday Night Live.” So what? Cast your attention spans back to “SNL” disasters from Ke$ha (one of the all-time worst performances in 2010), Kanye West (whose “singing” debut bombed in 2008), Coldplay (Chris …
The Playlist: Beatles edition!
The idea sounded perilous — Paul McCartney, one of the most revered writers in pop music, shifting gears into interpretive mode for an entire album of standards from the ’30s and ’40s. John Lennon used to knock McCartney’s “granny music” in the Beatles (specifically deriding …
Dawes sticks to tried-and-true musicmaking
Now in its fourth year, the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival has grown into a formidable, two-weekend showcase of contemporary twists on American roots music. Last Saturday the festival featured its bluegrass lineup (the Del McCoury Band with David Grisman, Bill Nershi, Joe Purdy and …
Jazz Ensemble does Mingus proud
Charles Mingus was a Promethean bass player and an underrated pianist, but his virtuoso instrument was the ensemble. Like Ellington, he composed specifically for his players’ unique talents and personalities. It made for revelatory music — but not a legacy that’s easy to replicate and …
The Playlist: What’s in the earbuds this week
Genres of pop music include rock, country, dance — and Bob Dylan covers. From the high (the “I’m Not There” soundtrack) to the low (“Million Dollar Bash: Missouri Salutes Bob Dylan”), albums of Dylan covers — never mind the individual songs interpreted in innumerable styles …
Wary of happy songs, Grouplove is nothing but joyous onstage
THOMAS CONNER: The L.A. band, playing Saturday at the Tomorrow Never Knows festival, says its shows tend to build to “a real celebration.”
Van Halen announces reunion tour
Last month, we got confirmation that a Van Halen reunion tour was going to happen — with singer David Lee Roth — and Friday we got the dates. The 45-concert tour will include two swings through the Chicago area: first on Feb. 24 at United Center, and again April 1 at the Allstate Arena. Tickets for both Chicago shows are on sale Jan. 14 via Ticketmaster.
Let’s hear it — The Best Concerts of 2011
Last March, on a panel at the South by Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas, veteran rock critic Ed Ward said, “I feel sorry for kids walking down the street with white ear buds. They think music takes place in their head. Music doesn’t take …
11 for ’11: The year’s best albums
This year’s best-albums list offers some curious numerology: three actors, two concept albums, one supergroup, two Chicago bands, Beyonce’s “4” and zero Lady Gaga. It’s also the Nigel Tufnel edition, cranking the picks up to 11 for ’11. It also arrives on a whisper of …
11 for ‘11: The year’s best pop singles
Here’s to the inevitable demise of the CD, which nearly killed off the single. This year, empowered by easy digital access, some great singles made the rounds.
Rockin’ New Year’s Eve: Hood Internet leads the pack of local concerts
New Year’s Eve is a free-for-all celebration of what has been instead of what’s about to be. At least, that’s the way it’s working out for online mashup sensations the Hood Internet. “We’ve got all this new stuff coming up but, yeah, for New Year’s …
Common’s new album will make you a ‘Believer’
THOMAS CONNER: The Chicago rapper follows his 2008 misstep with a solid, soulful disc.
From a shoebox of forgotten tapes, a folk music collection emerges
THOMAS CONNER; Old Town School releases 127 live recordings of Mahalia Jackson, Pete Seeger, Andrew Bird and other greats.
11 for ‘11: The year’s best pop singles
Here’s to the inevitable demise of the CD, which nearly killed off the single. This year, empowered by easy digital access, some great singles made the rounds.
Listen to 5 great tracks from the Old Town School set
The 127 songs on “Live From the Old Town School” are a cross-section of local and American folk history during the last 55 years, from social statements to commercial successes. Here are some standout tracks in the set for you to hear.
The Playlist: What’s in the earbuds this week
The Roots, “undun” (Def Jam) ★★★★ If you require a reminder that the Roots are so much more than a backing band, you couldn’t ask for a colder cup of water in your face than their latest album. Last seen on record backing John Legend …
