I’m sure everyone knows this by now but if not Aretha Franklin has pancreatic cancer. I’m not a religious man by any means, in fact I was asked recently what I believe in and I replied “people”. Yes I believe in people, especially people like Aretha Franklin. So whatever it is you believe in, whatever it is you do when times are tough for someone and you hold them deep in your heart, just know Aretha Franklin is a true legend, she is the Queen of Soul and she needs some people to care and love for her right now.
Here are a few of my favorites tunes she has performed over the years, enjoy and lets hope for a full and quick recovery!
December 4th, 2010 is a day that just might go down in party history, I had the great pleasure of hosting the Brew-B-Q II: Electric Brewgaloo / Sagittarians Unite throwdown. The day was part BBQ and part birthday celebration for myself. First guests arrived at 1:30PM on 12/4/10, last guests left at 5:00AM on 12/5/10.
Here’s what went down. . .
LOWDIVE made three 5 gallon kegs of amazing beer including a Belgian Chocolate Coffee Stout, a Chocolate Vanilla Stout, and a Rye Pale Ale. STONE came through with a keg of their Arrogant Bastard Ale. Also RIGHT GIN were in the house with batches of delicious cocktails! Kegs were flowing from 1PM til about 8PM
Won & Tooch supplied the taco bar! From what I understand they grilled up over 30 pounds of beef and 20 pounds of chicken. All of the food was gone by 7PM. That’s a ton of food!
DJ Intel rocked the 1′s & 2′s for like 8 hours straight! The tunes were slamming too, anything from deep Meters to Air, great job holding it down! Intel seriously was working the decks from 2 til damn near 10PM.
Ramsey Judson played upright bass while rapping along to beats, if you haven’t seen Ramsey’s sticker around town you obviously aren’t paying attention. PARTY FOUL ALERT: I was paying too much attention playing host instead of watching the board and didn’t get the line from his beat so it sounds kind of weird. Here’s a tune he performed regardless. . . Ramsey Judson by WestTownRecording
****** Around 9PM there was a natural reset in the party, those that came early left and a whole new batch came in. I took advantage of a 2 hour lull in drinking to catch up on water and coffee. The following takes place sometime between 11:00PM and 5:ooAM. I recorded everything, a ton more on the hard drive******
At the conclusion of our set, I received a very special treat by Ms Ava Fain singing me “Happy Birthday”!! Getting old has never felt sweeter. Happy Birthday – Ava Fain by WestTownRecording
An hour or so after The Congregation set, Ms Gina Bloom performed the following birthday song for me. My heart is still a pitter patter. . . Birthday Song – Gina Bloom by WestTownRecording
The night came to a close after the sensational performance by the hottest group to come out of WTR, Spanish Cafeteria! This band just showed up at the party around 3AM, apparently they are all related featuring Gina, Wes & Illy Cafeteria on vocals, Logan Cafeteria on drums, Chuck Cafeteria on keys, Roger Cafeteria on guitar and Mr Cafeteria on bass. . . Their rider only allowed me access to one track for the blog. Damn lawyers! World Keeps Turning – Spanish Cafeteria by WestTownRecording
I am also proud to announce the first official “Last Guy Standing” award to Mr Logan Schutts for being, well you guessed it, the last guy standing at the party! I have found myself in his shoes many a time and feel it only appropriate to say, yeah this dude can hang. Check out Logan playing drums with afrobeat/funk band Crystal Gravy this Saturday December 11th @ Nicks in Wicker Park.
So there ya have it folks, what started at 1PM ended at 5AM. I spent all day Sunday cleaning between naps. As of Monday the place is pretty damn close to being back to business as usual.
As always if you haven’t “liked” West Town Recording already, you can do so here. . . Also add me as a friend, I’m far from shy. Please keep in mind that all of this happened at my slanty shanty in Chicago’s Humboldt Park, kind of crazy that I’m still throwing house parties 18 years later. . .
Much love, thanks for one hell of a party! I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by such talented people, don’t ever stop!
What a night! I’m still getting great feedback about the party, can’t wait til next year! First person arrived at 9:09PM, last person left at 5:38AM not a bad run!
Below find Baby n Hide covering the Kanye West tune “Runaway“; The Sometimes Family performing their tune “It’s A Wonder We Don’t Die From Dancing” and The Drunken Years performing their song “The Winner”.
There are all sorts of pictures on facebook from the party, look me up and you can see more if you were there that night.
Also if you haven’t already, LIKE WTR on Facebook and sign up for the mailing list. Enjoy!
The Arts of Life, Inc. is committed to providing high quality, innovative services for developmentally disabled adults. The studio focuses on its artists’ needs and strives to exceed expectations. The Arts of Life will continue to be characterized by both dedication to its artists and excellence in the field of developmental disabilities.
West Town Recording is pleased to celebrate our 5 year anniversary with yet another party (10/30/10)! This one will be different because everyone will be in costume. . .
WHAT: CHICAGO SOUL SHOWCASE, an evening of Windy City soul featuring The Jordan Years, The Congregation, The Sometimes Family and Keith and The Complications at Double Door. These four bands are teaming up to show that soul music is alive and well in the city that’s rhythm and blues legacy was built by the brothers Chess and cemented by innovators such as Curtis Mayfield.
Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet of Galactic fame was backed by The Jordan Years very own Michael Cole on keys, Wes Restless on vocals and myself on bass. Martyrs will never be the same, love the sound there by the way, BAG END!!!! Expect to see more WTR live dates at Martyrs, this could be the new North side home.
“West Town Recording – Your Soul Provider” iron on t-shirt now available! If you like our website header then you’ll love this shirt! Visit the STORE to get yours now!
“West Town Recording – Your Soul Provider” iron on t-shirt now available! If you like our website header then you’ll love this shirt! Visit the 
