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Concert Thu Dec 06 2012
Preview: Secret History of Chicago Music Series @ The Hideout 12/8
One has a sweet, high voice; the other a gruff drawl. One specializes in clean-cut, charming soul music; the other in raunchy, gritty blues tunes. One experienced brief and minor success in the Chicago-soul scene of the late '60s and early '70s; the other made his name as a Detroit bluesman even earlier, in the late '50s.
They are Renaldo Domino and Andre Williams, respectively, and both are relatively unsung heroes of Midwestern soul. They perform this Saturday, December 8, at The Hideout as part of the ongoing Secret History of Chicago Music Series presented by both the Chicago Reader and Galactic Zoo.
The Secret History of Chicago Music, which appears every other week as a handwritten mini-comic strip by Plastic Crimewave in the Chicago Reader, specializes in telling the stories of forgotten Chicago musicians who failed to get their due during their own eras. Often times, the artists have long passed away, but there is the occasional act still going strong, sometimes even releasing new music to this day. For those musicians, the Reader and Galactic Zoo have teamed up to present a live incarnation of the Secret History of Chicago Music as a regular concert series at The Hideout. This Saturday, the series presents Renaldo Domino and Andre Williams in its fourth installment--two unsung heroes of Midwestern soul who also happen to be complete foils to each other's music.
According to Numero Group, the Chicago-based archival record label that specializes in re-releasing rare gems of often mishandled record labels, Renaldo Domino had his first record deal before he even graduated high school. The handful of 45 RPM singles he released in the late '60s and early '70s featured his sweet, gentle voice over a polished, full-band production. But record label misfortunes prevented the Chicago-born singer from ever receiving much recognition outside of his hometown.
Andre Williams, on the other hand, made his name in Detroit releasing rowdy blues singles in the late '50s that sang of sex, raunchy dance moves named after bacon fat, and other generally lewd topics. Williams has steadily continued releasing music, however, even releasing a brand new album this year on Chicago's Bloodshot Records. The album, Hoods and Shades, was recorded a day after Williams supposedly "brought down the house" at a Detroit concert in 2010 alongside Mavis Staples and other world-renown acts. Williams calls it "the Andre Williams folk album", but it still features the same rough-cut, barroom vibe of his earliest singles.
Both Williams and Domino will be joined by Expo '76 this Saturday for the Secret History of Chicago Music Series at The Hideout. Music begins at 9pm, and tickets are $12. The Hideout is located at 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. The show is 21+.