about 5 days past due-

REVIEW ON IRON & WINE with CALEXICO at CONGRESS THEATER
Surprised by the line up, origionally thought that the show was only the two bands seperate with a set together at the end to promote thier new colaborative cd, In the Reins. However, the show involved 5 bands and 6 total sets. And the show wasnt really 6 different sets, more like one long fest because musicians were popping on and off the stage depending on the song. At one point, Sam Beam (Iron and Wine) walked onto the stage to join a Chicago native indie rock/ blues band, Red Red Meat. At first he just stood there smoking a cig all chill like. He was holding a piece of paper and began singing/reading from it. He wasnt really on with how the lyrics were to be sung- but no one really cared because it was Sam. and he is amazing. Among the bands that performed was Salvador Duram, a hispanic operatic singer/harmonica/guitar/clicking noises with the mouth dude. Following was the amazing brother/sister act-Sarah and Sam Beam. Thier soft voices combined wit the melancholy melodies of soft indie rock was the highlight of the night. The favorite track performed was an oldie, Southern Anthem. Near the end of the show, Iron and Wine joined with Salvador Duran and Calexico to turn a one time live performance. The last song performed was lead by Sarah and Sam Beam along with Joey Burns from Calexico all nailing the vocals together. Successful persuasion to get ahold of the In the Rein colarborative cd. All in all, the show was interesting and came off very expierimental. Like a music fest, really long. And I stood the whole time, so I was getting kinda antsy near the end, but all in all the best thing going down on a Sunday evening in Chicago.

Fhc