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Friday music blogging - Voodoo Pilot

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I met Dave Kohn back when he flacked for Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood. Before that, Kohn was Congressman John Porter’s press secretary. He’s been around forever.

I’ve gotten to know Dave much better since he took a big job with the Union League Club, which has become my favorite spot in Chicago to stay and entertain pals. We try to get together whenever I overnight there during the week and last month was no exception.

Dave stopped by the club’s fantastic bar after work when I was there last and dropped off his band’s latest CD (Voodoo Pilot - “Good Luck Charm“). He asked me to give it a listen.

Now, I really like Dave, but he’s a Republican nearing middle age so I wasn’t exactly sure that I was gonna like his music. I looked at the CD jacket and saw that his entire band is filled with people you wouldn’t ever call “spring chickens.” But, what the heck, he’s a friend and I was in for a long drive, so I popped the CD into the player and headed down the road.

Wow.

I mean, wow.

OK, maybe it was my low expectations, but I was really blown away by “Good Luck Charm.” The thing is, even after several listens, I’m still hooked.

Go to the band’s MySpace page and listen to the first track, “Sandman Blues.” Actually, listen to them all. They’ve got an Allman Brothers/Grateful Dead feel in some of their tunes, with a Midwestern twist. The band describes their sound as “electric roots rock blues,” and that’s pretty accurate.

The homemade video of this Voodoo Pilot performance of “Blue Sky” doesn’t have the greatest production standards, but the jamming is mesmerizing and Kohn rocks on the drums…

Click the RealPlayer button to listen to “Dots Connected,” which, if there is justice in the world, ought to be getting some WXRT airplay…

Voodoo Pilot is not for teenagers. No headbanging here. The kiddies might not get into the laidback nature of many of Voodoo Pilot’s songs, but count me as a big fan. Here’s “Fortune Teller Blues”…

The band’s next gig is at Montrose Saloon (2933 W. Montrose) on Saturday, December 15th. Coincidentally, that’s the night before our holiday party, so I’ll be in town. If you can’t make it to the Sunday event, then just meet me at the Voodoo Pilot show Saturday night. I’ll buy you a beer or two. The show starts at 9.

They’re also looking at coming to Springfield soon. Any help with booking them would be appreciated. We’ll have another party for Springfield people if this ever gets worked out. I’ll keep you informed.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 7, 07 @ 11:37 am

Comments

I meant to mention this in the post, but Dave’s CD was lost in my car wreck. It wouldn’t come out of the player. I was almost as bummed about that (since I hadn’t yet loaded the CD onto my computer/IPOD) as losing my car. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 7, 07 @ 12:30 pm
i like how you put music up here on fridays. it is key.

Comment by b-dogg Friday, Dec 7, 07 @ 1:11 pm
I like the Friday music notes, too. And this band is pretty sweet.

Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Dec 7, 07 @ 1:41 pm
Kohn is also the drummer for HEAVY MENTAL. Satire oriented, sometimes politically themed, this group is also worth a listen.
You can’t resist having your mood lightened while this music is playing! Check it out at www.heavymentalrocks.com

Comment by Sara Friday, Dec 7, 07 @ 3:33 pm
Bravo Kohnhead!
This week the Capitol Fax, next week the cover of Rolling Stone.

Comment by Ned Beatty Saturday, Dec 8, 07 @ 8:14 am