DIGGIN’ DUSTIES: A SELECTION OF DUSTY GROOVE’S RECENT ARRIVALS
Featuring Groove Merchant Joe Bryl
Scenario: You expectedly walk into a restaurant and are handed a menu that seems encyclopedic. Within its stylish binding are page after page of dishes of all types and nationalities. The extensive listings run the gamut from simple country breakfast, artisanal urban-raised plates, Korean bibimbap, pastrami on rye, Algerian merguez lamb sausages, pizza by the slice and French bistro fare to seared Alaskan walleye with salsa verde, home-styled meatloaf, Thai sweet and sour mee krob,linguine alla vogole, beef shawarma slathered with tahini, Szechuan spicy pork and fried chicken and waffles (and that’s just page one).
Then after your waiter spends 45 minutes listing the specials of the day in great detail he hands you an impressive drink menu that runs the gamut of cordials, champagnes, craft beers, regional wines from around the world, small batch bourbons, aperitifs, tequilas, finely crafted cocktails, Caribbean rums, grappa flights, shots of moonshine, distilled gins and Scotch whiskies. Recognizing your dilemma he says that he’ll be back in an hour to take your order.
This unlikely scenario is not that far-fetched if you’re shopping for music at Dusty Groove America on any given day. For the average musical listener a trip to Dusty Groove America at the retail outlet (1120 N. Ashland, Chicago) or online (www.dustygroove.com) might appear equally daunting. Stocked with a mammoth collection of records, CDs, videos and related books and magazines, Dusty Groove has become a dream destination for both avid collectors looking for those rare and allusive musical gems that are talked between themselves in reverential and hushed tones and the more common consumer whose knowledge is understandably more limited but no less personally passionate. It is by this well-struck balance between scholarship, accessibility and a resonating deeply felt connection to music that one discerns when shopping at Dusty Groove.
With its well-maintained and constantly changing inventory (with new items being added to daily) one can leisurely wander within its environs, a musical cornucopia encompassing endless offerings from jazz, Brazilian, funk, blues, now sounds, global grooves, rock, soul, gospel, classical, hip-hop, reggae, folk and even spoken word and comedy and step back and take a breath before finding that particular musical item that fits within ones own particular taste and inclinations.
However, all customers no matter how knowledgeable are still left with the task of having to make a choice between all the multifarious options available. Like the proverbial kid in a candy shop, both the average customer and the even more discerning dilettante are momentarily overwhelmed by the wide and encompassing selections available. Added to this, a given customer may be very well informed on the raw rocking R&B rhythms of seminal guitarist Ike Turner, the swinging sixties French pop of Francoise Hardy, the Chicago-based soul-jazz arrangement of Charles Stepney or the visionary experimentations of Harry Partch but be understandably clueless on the soulful hip-hop of J Rawls, the breezy Brazilian jazz of Viva Brazil, the laidback country rock of Gene Clark or the echoing celestial space rock of Hawkwind.
To make this task less perplexing and to give helpful assistance and guidance to both those in the know and those just plain curious in this seemingly herculean task of endless musical offerings Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar is hosting its monthly residency titled “Diggin‘ Dusties” on Wednesday, May 23 at 8PM (and every 4th Wednesday of the preceding months).
Hosted by groove merchant guru and record collector extraordinaire Joe Bryl, “Diggin‘ Dusties” will feature choice selections from Dusty Groove’s recent monthly new arrivals thereby giving those interested an opportunity to hear (probably for the first time) the wide variety of musical styles and genres that are available at the store.
So sit back, relax, order a brew from Maria’s equally overwhelmingly extensive drink menu (too many beers/music: too little time) and like that kid in the best of all world’s candy store indulge yourself freely in all the tasty treats available. We guarantee that there won’t be any lingering aftertaste due to over-indulgence and possibly only a slight hangover.
“Diggin’ Dusties” will be hittin’ on all cylinders with new releases and re-issues by The Hi-Fivers (Life Shines), Les Loups Noirs (Echo Mondial), Moe Tucker (I Feel So Far Away: Anthology 1974-1998), Batida (Batida), Signor Wolf (Funkonnection), Tom Dissevely/Kid Baltan (Song of the Second Moon), Alfredito Linares (Salsa A Todo Sabor), Orchestre Super Borgou de Parakou (The Bariba Sound 1970 – 1976), Lou Ragland (I Travel Alone), Skah Shah #1 (Message), Fela Kuti (Live in Detroit 1986) Quantic & Alice Russell With The Combo Barbaro (Look Around the Corner), Kenenkye Band (Moving World) plus compilations like “Soul Cal – Disco & Modern Soul 1971 – 1982”, “Simla Beat 71”, “We Pay Respect: Evergreens From Reality Poland” and “Dynamic Groove: Funk and Groovy Soul from the Vaults of Scepter, Wand, Dynamo and Musicor”.
Festivities begin at 8PM and continue until 2AM.
Plus a High West Whiskey tasting takes place from 7-9pm. Enjoy..
