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March 10, 2003, 1:39 pm    Waltz wields a wealth of talent in its final bow

Source: Daily Herald By Mark Guarino Daily Herald Music Critic Posted March 10, 2003 "The Waltz," the annual benefit extravaganza patterned after The Band's "The Last Waltz," took its final bow Saturday at Metro. "This is our last ‘Waltz' for a while," emcee and organizer Nicholas Tremulis announced. Tremulis kicked off the annual concert five years ago to raise money for Neon Street, a Chicago organization that helps homeless and abused teenagers. The idea was to emulate "The Last Waltz," the infamous final concert by The Band in 1976 that included cameos by Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. The Chicago version followed suit, with Tremulis' seven-member band backing up a wide spectrum of musicians, including rock superstars, distinguished veterans, local musicians and the occasional eccentric. Although at times an overabundance of ambition resulted in grandstanding on past bills, the shows were remarkable for providing collaborations between divergent artists that would never have happened. These moments were magic. This year's ‘Waltz' was the best yet. Although conventional shows tend to be capped by a peak, this one reached many blockbuster highs during its three-plus hours. Chicago soul icon Mavis Staples, the only performer to appear in the "The Last Waltz" film, ruled Diminutive but mighty, the 63-year-old harmonized a cappella with Chicago country soul singers Kelly Hogan and Nora O'Connor and later tore the house down with the Staples' signature song, "I'll Take You There." "This is my first time coming to the Metro," she said. "But I guarantee it will not be my last." David Johansen, who is in the history books as rock's model chameleon, appeared several times in different incarnations. He channeled the spirit of Chicago blues shouter Howlin' Wolf, accompanied by the Wolf's original lead guitarist Hubert Sumlin. Johansen later led a glam rock revival, singing "Looking for a Kiss," by his former group the New York Dolls. Chicagoans heavily figured into the set list. Scott Lucas of Local H upped the ante early in the first set with his cover of The Rolling Stones classic "Bitch." Mekon/Waco Brother Jon Langford paid tribute to late Clash founder Joe Strummer by covering "I Fought the Law," the beat provided by Zwan drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Zwan leader Billy Corgan performed solo, playing two songs designed for Chicago -- the first a brooding blues tribute to the Riverview theme park and the second inspired by the Chicago fire. Too bad he was drowned out by the corporate VIPs chatting on the second-floor balcony. The most unconventional collaboration was between Chamberlin, Corgan and Chicago jazz vocalist Kurt Elling. Their version of Jimi Hendrix's "Freedom" was the most electrifying moment. Ian Hunter, formerly of the revered '70s glitter rock group Mott the Hoople, closed the show. He ended the evening with his signature song, "All the Young Dudes." It prompted a house sing-along that was about harmony in a night that was nothing but.

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