Thanks, 1986. Looking forward to 1977!

We had a full house at the Electric Maid on Saturday for the Classic Albums 1986 showcase. I was thrilled to join Jason Mendelson and the Open Doors for a re-creation of Elvis Costello’s Blood and Chocolate album. Great work all around by the other musicians on the bill as well.

Jason’s next project is to go back to 1977, a great year for rock and pop albums (and yes, I was there at time to hear some of them). We’re still figuring out which album to take on.

One of the perhaps less-notable albums of that year was Chicago XI. That album did have one big hit, “Baby, What a Big Surprise,” and another number, “Vote for Me,” that strangely echoes what we’re hearing this election year:

I’ll give detroit one year
New cars that run on beer
Or anything except gasoline

I’m looking to the sun
More power for everyone
And the cleanest sky that you’ve ever seen

And now for something completely different…

I’m excited about an upcoming non-jazz gig, at the Artisphere in Rosslyn on Tuesday December 20. I’ll be part of the MetroSongs band, backing singer-songwriter Jason Mendelson. Jason will be featured in this installment of the “Words and Music” series, where he will talk about his process and perform (alone and with the band) several of the songs from the MetroSongs project.

According to the Artisphere web site, the show starts at 7:30 PM and costs $8 ($6 for seniors). Should be a fun show!