Cook County is well known as an arts community, with outdoor arts activities, frequent musical events and plays at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts and concerts such as the North House Folk School Unplugged or WTIP radio’s Radio Waves concerts. Adding to the bohemian feel was an impromptu gathering of old friends at the Betsy Bowen Studio What’s Upstairs? in May 2014.
The performance by Chris Gillis, Fritz Sobanja, Max Bichel, Liz Sivertson, Eric Hahn, Carah Thomas, Billy Blackwell and Tom and Mike Juen, is a wonderfully unique cover of the 1972 tune Geronimo’s Cadillac by American singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphy.
At the start of the performance, jazz musician Chris Gillis explains that he and some of the performers first sang the song “about 40 years ago” sitting around a campfire with no instruments. Gillis said he wanted to attempt to recapture that feeling.
The evening was the second in a series of concerts that Gillis arranged at “Betsy’s Club.” Another event will be held this October—stay tuned!
Before the group started singing Geronimo’s Cadillac, Blackwell said, “We’re going to show you some happiness, some love and some big energy.”
The musicians did just that, harmonizing beautifully and then playing softly as Blackwell offered a prayer of blessing in Ojibwe.
The performance was videotaped by local photographer Bruce Johnson and can be seen on YouTube. Just search “Geronimo’s Cadillac with Chris Gillis and Billy Blackwell” and enjoy!
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