Whats Going On

For the week of January 23-29…

Various Artists, Chimes of Freedom:  The Songs of Bob Dylan

2012 marks the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International, the human rights organization.  It also marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the debut album by one Robert Zimmerman, known to the world as Bob Dylan.  To celebrate both occasions is this new 4-CD compilation, arguably the most extensive collection of Dylan covers ever.  A dizzying array of artists are on board, ranging from Dylan mentor Pete Seeger to Ke$ha.  Some of the more intriguing acts include Taj Mahal, Mark Knopfler, Marianne Faithfull, Johnny Cash with the Avett Brothers, Adele, Mariachi El Bronx (!), Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, Pete Townshend, Ziggy Marley, Seal & Jeff Beck, Carolina Chocolate Drops, My Morning Jacket, Flogging Molly, Sugarland, Lenny Kravitz…the list goes on and on.  That’s proof positive that Dylan is one of the most covered songwriters ever.  With a sprawling 76 songs, there’s bound to be a few clunkers in the batch.  But considering all the artists (as well as producers, engineers, studios) donated their work to AI, you certainly can’t fault the good intentions of all involved.  In fact, ace engineer Bob Clearmountain mixed 30 of the album’s tracks gratis.  By the way, Dylan himself concludes the set with the title track.

Around the Corner with John McGivern, January 26, 7:30 pm, channel 10.1; repeats January 27 at 8 pm on channel 36.1 (mptv.org)

First, the Ex Fabula storytelling group began their Terminal Milwaukee series of programs examining various Milwaukee neighborhoods.  Now, after a year in the making, veteran Milwaukee actor John McGivern’s 13-part series makes its debut this week on Milwaukee Public Television.  Each episode takes a detailed look at a Milwaukee neighborhood or community in southeast Wisconsin.  McGivern visits points of interest and interviews personalities that distinguish each neighborhood.  Local historian John Gurda also adds a segment to each episode providing historical context.  First up:  Bay View.

Revolush and Independent Idols, January 27, Shank Hall, 1434 N Farwell Ave (shankhall.com)

By day, Tommy Hahn is a veteran musical actor known for his work with Skylight Opera in shows including Rent, The Music Man, and the upcoming Sunday in the Park with George.  But there’s another side to this energetic perfromer.  By night, he’s the bassist/lead vocalist for the band Revolush, one of Milwaukee’s best indie bands.  The band’s love for great power pop was on full display last summer when the band performed Revolush at Budokan at Shank Hall, when the band recreated the classic album Cheap Trick at Budokan from start to finish.  Revolush returns to Shank this Friday for the first time since that great show, and while they may not play the Cheap Trick album in its entirety, they just might slip a CT cover or two into the mix of their great originals which are inspired by acts like Cheap Trick, Jellyfish and Todd Rundgren.  Opening the show is another fine Milwaukee band Independent Idols, fronted by another Skylight veteran, Ryan Charles.  Make sure you get there early, cause these guys will certainly get the house rockin’ and set the table for Revolush.

Rite of Spring, January 27-28, Marcus Center, 929 N Water St (mso.org)

After last weekend’s sensational performances of Carmina Burana, what does the Milwaukee Symphony do for an encore?  How about a work that literally brought the house down at its Paris premiere nearly a century ago?  Yes, I’m talking about Igor Stravinsky’s monumental score for the ballet The Rite of Spring, which among other things contains the most famous bassoon solo in classical music history (and it comes at the very opening of the piece!).  Music Director Edo de Waart leads the MSO in the composer’s 1947 revision of the score, which for several generations conjures up images of battling dinosaurs and prehistoric volcanoes as seen in a memorable segment of Walt Disney’s Fantasia.  Although Stravinsky signed off on its use in the film (the only living composer whose work was selected), apparently he was none too happy with the final result.  Regardless, the music certainly stands on its own as a towering milestone of 20th century music.  Along with Rite, de Waart and the MSO will perform Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 (“The Great”).

East Side Jazz Festival IV, January 28, Youth Arts Center, 325 W Walnut St (milwaukeejazzvision.org)

Milwaukee Jazz Vision, the feisty organization whose aim is to revitalize jazz in Milwaukee and to encourage young musicians in the art form, is presenting its fourth East Side Jazz Festival this Saturday at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, a very fine facility that’s definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already done so.  And this humdinger of a lineup is good enough reason to head down.  Headlining is the Dan Nimmer Trio, featuring pianist (and Oak Creek native) Dan Nimmer, who has recently been seen by local audiences as a member of Wynton Marsalis’ Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.  As if seeing this virtuoso with his own trio wasn’t enough, legendary Milwaukee guitarist Manty Ellis and his Quartet, plus the Who’s Your Daddy Trio (love that name!) featuring Dan Trudell on the Hammond B3 organ will set the table for the Nimmer Trio.  AND musicians from the Jazz Lab combo of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra will join in the festivities.  A great evening of jazz benefiting a worthy organization and their especially worthy mission.

Rear Window, January 28 & 29, Times Cinema, 5906 W Vliet St (timescinema.com)

No matter where this has film has screened in recent years (the Oriental, the Paradise, and of course, the Times), crowds have followed.  What makes this 1954 film so special?  First, it has classic performances from Jimmy Stewart and the absolutely radiant Grace Kelly.  And it’s one of the absolute masterpieces from the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.  If this is your first time seeing this movie, you are truly to be envied, but it’s just as fresh (and suspenseful) now as it when it was made over 50 years ago.  Trivia tidbits:  Watch for Frank Cady (aka Sam Drucker on Green Acres and Petticoat Junction as a fellow building tenant) and Ross Bagdisarian (aka David Seville of Chipmunks fame!) seen tickling the ivories during one scene.