CHRIS EMERSON BAND
Wise Fool's Pub
Chicago, Illinois
April 12, 2003

Photos & Review by Daniel Locke

               What do you call "Luck"?

Would you call it having your first ever record selected for inclusion on a mega-popular TV show like "Dawson Creek"?  Considering how tough it is for an independent artist to get radio airplay, such a lucky break enables the song and the artist to reach a large audience.

    That's the kind of luck that has greeted the Chris Emerson, who is currently rocking his way across U.S. cities and playing to enthusiastic crowds at each stop.   This talented Boston boy is a true indie artist in every sense of the word, having written, produced and self-released the songs that fill his debut CD, "Transit."  

    The "Dawson's Creek" exposure afforded to his song "All Because Of You," has helped to land Emerson in the Top 30 on the  Radio & Record’s  "AC" (Adult Contemporary) charts.   Emerson has been also been written up favorably in such top trade publications as  "Billboard" and "Music Connection."

    But enough history...   While the CD is certainly enjoyable,  Emerson really shines his brightest on stage.  My point of reference being his April 12 show held at Chicago's Wise Fool's Pub, when his "Richard Marx meets R&B style" sprang to life and impressed all in attendance.  

    Emerson was in the midst of a mini-tour as he hit this Windy City stage wielding his guitar like a seasoned pro, accompanied only by a two piece back up unit that consisted of a second guitarist and an absolutely stellar
electric fiddle player.

    Being  that the live incarnation of his band was a three-piece unit, one might not think Emerson could pull off delivering his songs from the CD as well as the full band that laid down the studio tracks.   Surprisingly, the scaled down version lost nothing in the process, for enthusiasm, emotion and energy made up the difference. 

    Emerson's live sound retained it's pop feel, but the twin acoustics kept the music grooving along and brought an earthiness to it.  For being an acousti-rock  band, the show was surprisingly upbeat as Emerson energetically worked the stage and delivered a hard-driving night of music. 

    Aside from just playing Emerson's own songs, the trio gave props to some of their personal icons and inspirations throughout the evening.   Among them were tasty interpretations of tunes by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Led Zeppelin.  
  

    Zeppelin's  "Stairway to Heaven" was actually a highlight of the night. They introduced it in a jazzy style that immediately grabbed attention and raised eyebrows.   The delicate picking by Emerson went on for a good five minutes before the other guitar player joined in and the two began trading licks and rocking it up as we knew they must.

   

He might not be among the better known artists that this writer has had the pleasure of catching in concert, but Chris Emerson certainly gave Chicago one of the best live shows these eyes have witness so far this year.  

    

For those that missed Emerson this time around, word is that he is hooking up for a summer tour with Foreigner, so watch for dates!