Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - Napper Tandy

Our second entry resulting from St. Patrick's Day in Chicago, in which I became Chi-rish from 2:00pm to after midnight.  This time, the band is Napper Tandy, who I also saw at Fado Irish Pub in Chicago's River North.

This is a 6-piece band : drums, bass, acoustic guitar (and small guitar, whatever that's properly called),  lead guitar, bagpipes and a lead vocalist.  The piper in true Scottish/Irish form - performs in full attire - kilt and all.  Now, maybe it was just all the Guinness, but I'm pretty sure the lead vocalist looks a lot like Davy Jones, which seems fitting for an Irish rock band.

The band covers everything from traditional Irish jigs and reels to classic rock covers to modern rock covers - and even The Beatles - playing a version of "Hey Jude" that brought out all of the cell-phone-lighter-apps.

The band essentially has two frontmen - one who plays the acoustic guitar (and that tiny guitar) and one who can rock the tambourine.  Combined the two of them keep the evening entertaining with good banter and good old fashioned Irish toasts.  Both do an excellent job engaging the audience at all times.  And both have an awesome Irish and/or Scottish accent (as if I could tell the difference).

The musicianship is solid across all members of the band and their ability to change genres is seamless.

Much like Donnybrook, I don't want to say too much - because too much information will spoil the fun of the show.  But I will say this much - DO - I say DO - request Freebird.  Yell it out, just like Kevin Matthews always wanted us to do.  Yell it out - DO IT!  The band performs the best rendition of Freebird I have ever seen in person - and the lead guitarist - let's just say WOW!!!  I don't want to go into any further detail, again, no spoilers.  Just make sure you or someone yells Freebird at some point in the show!!

They also did a small on-stage impromptu jam of "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath - complete with bagpipes!!  It was completely informal and impromptu - but was very cool to hear!!!

Wish I could say more, but that would spoil half the fun of seeing them.  I suggest checking them out for yourself.

Highly recommended!!!!