Allen Toussaint, Brandi Carlile, Secret Machines, Sunny Day Real Estate
ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Allen Toussaint’s soul is the soul of New Orleans. Born there in 1938, he is recognized as one of the originators of the now-distinctive R&B sound that has grown out of that embattled city. The award-winning pianist and singer has been recording and producing records since the age of 17, while also making hit records for others when he wasn’t making them for himself. Coming off a recent collaboration with Elvis Costello on the first major recording project in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, The River in Reverse, Toussaint shows no sign of slowing. The 71-year-old just released his newest album, The Bright Mississippi, showcasing even more of his fiery piano and honeysuckle voice that seems to not have taken on any of the aging that his body has. Allen Toussaint is a musician who deserves our attention not only for his talent, but for the unique American culture that he represents. Don’t let him — or his city — slip away. (Appearing at the Old Town School of Folk on September 26) –text: Diana Novak
BRANDI CARLILE
Brandi Carlile’s flawless voice is huge, room-filling, moving, and ancient. Judging by the way in which the 29-year-old sings, one would believe that by the time you turn 29 you already know everything there is to know about life. On tour in preparation for the release her upcoming album Give Up the Ghost, Carlile cannot help but bring her youthful but somehow wizened experience to the stage. She is accompanied by longtime touring partners Tim and Bill Hanseroth, who do all they can to help add to Carlile’s intensely personal sound. While it might be nice to say that Carlile makes her art effortlessly, that would sell short the unchecked passion that makes this performer one that is not to be missed. You may feel unsettled or intrusive listening to her extremely private reflections, but you shouldn’t be. Hers are words that simply need to be heard. (Appearing at House of Blues on September 25 & 26) –text: Diana Novak
SECRET MACHINES
Secret Machines know a thing or two about side projects. The New York-by-way-of-Texas trio has dealt with them since the band’s conception. In their early years, Secret Machines came together as a temporary offshoot of acts such as Tripping Daisy and Comet. And years later — more than a half-decade into its spacey, long-reaching take on psychedelic hard rock — frontman Brandon Curtis is feeling a side project’s effects in a much different way. His Secret Machines co-founder and brother, Benjamin Curtis, packed up his guitar and bolted before work on Secret Machines’ third LP began last year so he could front School of Seven Bells. That left Brandon Curtis’ Pink Floyd-style rock alone to echo throughout that 2008 self-titled release with towering anthems and skyrocketing crescendos — despite his childhood collaborator’s backing vocals and swirling riffs taking a side seat. (Appearing with …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead at Logan Square Auditorium on September 25) –text: Derek Wright
SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE
Some call this influential Seattle band the originators of modern-day emo, but they sound more hardcore than depressed. While grunge music was starting to emerge in the Pacific Northwest during the quartet’s early-’90s beginnings, Sunny Day Real Estate decided to carve its own path. In true rock star fashion, they only gave one interview and refused to play in California. Their first album, Diary (1994), made them stars but they soon hit choppy waters which resulted in their first breakup halfway through the recording of their second album, LP2. Like any good breakup, SDRE got back together only to break up again. Lead singer Jeremy Enigk embarked on a successful solo career while the others joined Foo Fighters. The past is now forgotten as SDRE has finally reunited again, this time with all of its original members. (Appearing with The Jealous Sound at Metro on September 24) –text: Garin Pirnia–photo: redandblack.com
