October 28, 2011

$18 / $21 at door
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Greg Trooper & Cindy Bullens

We have a great co-bill with Greg Trooper and Cindy Bullens tonight. Upside-Down Town is the latest release from singer-songwriter Greg Trooper, who’s been described as “a songwriter and performer who deserves about 12 times the attention he’s received.” Two-time Grammy nominee Cindy Bullens, originally from this area, has been touring the world for many years. Her latest CD release, Howling Trains and Barking Dogs, is a collection of her 90’s Nashville collaborations.

Greg TrooperGreg Trooper is a masterful singer-songwriter who has released 11 albums since 1986. Raised in the shore town of Little Silver, NJ he became enthralled by the greater New York area’s rich music scene. He discovered a sort of holy musical trinity in the work of Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, and Hank Williams, with their guiding lights of passion, literary dexterity and plainspoken honesty. It’s one reason Trooper’s music feels equally informed by Memphis soul, Greenwich Village folk and Nashville twang. Trooper has made an impact on the music scenes in all the places he’s lived since leaving home after high school: Austin, Texas, Lawrence, Kansas, Nashville and New York. Music critics praise his poetic feel, infectious melodies and sophisticated lyrics. His songs have been recorded by numerous artists including: Vince Gill, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, Robert Earl Keen, Maura O’Connell, Lucy Kaplansky and Tom Russell.

Cindy BullensCindy Bullens began her music career touring with Elton John and in the studio with mega-hit songwriter/producer Bob Crewe. In 1979 she released her debut solo album, Desire Wire, and scored a breakthrough hit with her song “Survivor,” garnering a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance. The year prior, she was nominated for a Grammy for her three lead vocals as part of the Grease movie soundtrack album.

In the 1980’s, Cindy released two more critically acclaimed albums while largely setting aside her musical pursuits to raise her children. In the mid 90’s, Cindy began spending time in Nashville, writing with the hottest young songwriters such as Radney Foster, with whom she penned the hit country song, “Hammer and Nails.” She returned to recording in 1999 with the release of Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth, a heartfelt work dedicated to her 11 year-old daughter Jessie, who died of cancer in 1996. This award-winning album includes guest performances by Cindy’s friends Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Rodney Crowell, Bryan Adams, and Beth Nielsen Chapman. 2001’s Neverland is a strong roots-rock album featuring guest appearances by John Hiatt, Steve Earle, and Emmylou Harris, among others. In late 2005, Cindy released dream #29 (LetsPLAY), an album of up-tempo rockers and introspective ballads featuring a duet with Delbert McClinton, and appearances by Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and her old pal Elton John playing rollicking piano on the title track.

In 2007, Cindy formed the super-trio The Refugees with Wendy Waldman and Deborah Holland. Touted as “Crosby, Stills and Nash with humor,” The Refugees are tearing it up live across the US and Canada and they have played the me&thee in the past.

  • Greg Trooper writes great songs, including one of my very favorite songs in the world, “Little Sister.” On top of all that, there’s his voice — an instrument I have coveted for 15 years. Steve Earle
  • Greg Trooper has got to be on our list of our finest contemporary songwriters. Billy Bragg
  • Greg Trooper is a songwriter and performer who deserves about 12 times the attention he’s received. He knows how to play rock against country and folk and position the pressures of adulthood against the longing for adolescent freedom. Dave Marsh
  • Greg Trooper’s roots-rock can lean toward soul or country or Dylan, and it’s filled with yearning and promises Jon Pareles (New York Times)
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  • With a voice usually described as “husky” or “raspy,” singer-songwriter Cindy Bullens’ vocal instrument is intriguingly chameleonlike, with great stylistic range that enables her to sound in her element in a variety of styles.
    Bullens has a rock ’n’ roll heart, but Howling Trains and Barking Dogs was inspired by a five-year period in the early ’90s when she was working with top Nashville musicians. The musicianship and arrangements are . . . inspired. Cindy can rock out when she wants, or play impressive-sounding bluegrass, gospel or folk-blues numbers. Surprisingly, all these pieces fit together quite well. Chicago Sun Times