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November 21,
2006
Venue: Schubas, Chicago, IL
Artist: Michael McDermott
Review by: Anita Maree Lande
Photos by: Niva Bringas
Michael McDermott Armed and Ready!
The clock ticks
closer and closer for a new studio album release from
Chicago own singer and songwriter, Michael McDermott, and he
recently performed back-to-back nights at Schubas to
sell-out crowds. The first night was an acoustic set with
McDermott and his band. Not only was this an intimate
setting with all band members sitting down and playing their
instruments, but Schubas even broke out their folding chairs
and nearly half the fans were sitting down to enjoy this
incredibly special night. The good news was that McDermott
was showcasing new songs from his upcoming album, and mixing
in the classics that have established his long career. The
night led off with McDermott at his keyboard with his brand
new, emotional, and powerful song called Scars From Another
Life. Next McDermott shot back to 1995 and performed the
beautiful Deirdre Dances, and Heather Horton showcased
perfectly her violin playing and backing vocals. Dressed in
a black jacket and pants, McDermott then picked up his
guitar and told the crowd how thankful he was that they took
time out of their day to come to his show, and then he
performed the touching new song Long Way From Heaven.
McDermott rolled with favorites like A Wall I Must Climb,
Fool’s Avenue, Bourbon Blue, 20 Miles South of Nowhere, and
crowd favorite Arm Yourself.
But the news songs are lyrically some of the most compelling
and best yet from McDermott and what you would expect.
While at the keyboards he sang another new song called
Antique Store. Some of the lyrics are; There’s a picture of
a soldier boy/He’s heading off to war/And I wonder if he
made it home/In the Antique Store. There’s an old
microphone, I always wanted to sing/ There’s an Elvis
telephone/Lord it’s never gonna ring. This song will make
you want to go antiquing with him real soon. The lusty Still
Ain’t Over You Yet took McDermott into another zone as he
painfully sang about some sort of bittersweet relationship
that was still tearing at him. As he swayed in his chair
with guitar in hand, he dynamically delivered this punching
song and you could feel the control someone still had over
him.
With a new album due out in the spring of ’07, Michael
McDermott has proven that his songwriting talents are
continuing to grow and branch out and his new songs are
winners. He has proven there is only one way to go, and that
is to soar into ’07 with a sensational and well worth the
wait new album.
For more information visit:
www.michael-mcdermott.com or
www.myspace.com/michaelmcdermott
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