Soul

  Last month rising singer-songwriter ZZ Ward, who pulls off the rare trick of melding blues and hip-hop, sat down with us for an interview and a performance of "Put the Gun Down. " Now, before her full-length debut "Til the Casket Drops"  drops Oct. 16, we're exclusively debuting "Lil Darlin," a track from the record Ward recorded with Chicago soul outfit the O'My's. About the track, Ward said (in a statement passed along by her publicist), "The O'Mys created something so soulful and pure and Blended Babies flipped it on its head, bringing that...

For Monday, May 27, to Sunday, June 2, 2013 Gemini May 21-June 21 Venus is increasing the chances for you to encounter a soul mate. If you're single, you could finally meet someone who shares your views on life. If you're in a relationship that has just been so-so, you might discover that the two of you can get along much better. Cancer June 22-July 22 Mercury is in your sign for a few weeks, increasing your sexual charisma. You'll attract attention everywhere you go. Someone gorgeous who never knew you were alive will suddenly be hanging onto your...

Fitz & the Tantrums frontman Michael "Fitz" Fitzpatrick will always remember the group's first trek to Chicago, since the sextet arrived in town for a show at Metro just one day after the epic February blizzard that brought the city to a standstill. "When we pulled up they were literally just pulling the cars off Lake Shore Drive," says the singer. At this point, the weather might be the only thing that can cool off the Los Angeles soul revivalists, who were named Hot Band in a recent issue of Rolling Stone and are currently gearing up to play a trio of sold-out shows at Metro.

Trivia time: Name two “Idol” runners-up who went on to sell boatloads of albums and earn major awards for starring in a film about 1960s female soul singers. One, of course, is Chicago-native Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”). The other is Australian singer Jessica Mauboy, who has gone platinum in her country (where she participated in the reality TV singing competition), recorded with American rappers including Snoop Dogg and Ludacris, and won the Australian Film Institute's best supporting actress award for “The Sapphires,” opening in Chicago March 29. The film is inspired...

Trivia time: Name two “Idol” runners-up who went on to sell boatloads of albums and earn major awards for starring in a film about 1960s female soul singers. One, of course, is Chicago-native Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”). The other is Australian singer Jessica Mauboy, who has gone platinum in her country (where she participated in the reality TV singing competition), recorded with American rappers including Snoop Dogg and Ludacris, and won the Australian Film Institute's best supporting actress award for “The Sapphires,” opening in Chicago March 29. The film is inspired...

In the wake of the death of "Soul Train" creator "Don Cornelius," BET, CENTRIC and Chicago station WCIU, The U have planned a special broadcast lineup for the next few days. Cornelius, creator of the iconic music series "Soul Train," died Wednesday after apparently shooting himself in the head at his LA home. He was 75. "We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Don Cornelius. He was a pioneer in the television and music industries and his legacy and influence on American culture will continue to live on for many generations...

Chicagoans - along with the rest of the nation - took time to remember Don Cornelius, the honey-voiced host of "Soul Train," after reports of his death surfaced Wednesday morning. "Don Cornelius is a cultural artifact in America," said Che "Rhymefest" Smith, a Chicago-based musician and former aldermanic candidate. "He's also a pioneer of black television and the building of community through music. " Cornelius' impact, and the impact of "Soul Train," which got its start in a tiny WCIU studio in the Chicago Board of Trade building in 1970,...

After her blind audition for NBC's singing competition "The Voice," Chicago native De'Borah became one of the show's most talked-about acts, both for her visceral rendition of Train's "Hey Soul Sister" and her coming-out declaration. RedEye talked with the chic 24-year-old about her nerve-racking audition, working with her coach, Christina Aguilera, and growing up in Rosemont. "The Voice" begins its battle rounds at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 on NBC. What made you want to sing "Soul Sister" during your audition?

For Monday, May 27, to Sunday, June 2, 2013 Gemini May 21-June 21 Venus is increasing the chances for you to encounter a soul mate. If you're single, you could finally meet someone who shares your views on life. If you're in a relationship that has just been so-so, you might discover that the two of you can get along much better. Cancer June 22-July 22 Mercury is in your sign for a few weeks, increasing your sexual charisma. You'll attract attention everywhere you go. Someone gorgeous who never knew you...

Chicago Sun-Times reports: In the race to win over the heart and soul of Illinois conservatives, Rick Santorum left the heavy lifting Sunday to a busload of evangelicals - one family made famous by reality TV. Read the full story at Chicago Sun-Times .

  Last month rising singer-songwriter ZZ Ward, who pulls off the rare trick of melding blues and hip-hop, sat down with us for an interview and a performance of "Put the Gun Down. " Now, before her full-length debut "Til the Casket Drops"  drops Oct. 16, we're exclusively debuting "Lil Darlin," a track from the record Ward recorded with Chicago soul outfit the O'My's. About the track, Ward said (in a statement passed along by her publicist), "The O'Mys created something so soulful and pure and Blended Babies flipped it on its head, bringing that...

After her blind audition for NBC's singing competition "The Voice," Chicago native De'Borah became one of the show's most talked-about acts, both for her visceral rendition of Train's "Hey Soul Sister" and her coming-out declaration. RedEye talked with the chic 24-year-old about her nerve-racking audition, working with her coach, Christina Aguilera, and growing up in Rosemont. "The Voice" begins its battle rounds at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 on NBC. What made you want to sing "Soul Sister" during your audition?

In the wake of the death of "Soul Train" creator "Don Cornelius," BET, CENTRIC and Chicago station WCIU, The U have planned a special broadcast lineup for the next few days. Cornelius, creator of the iconic music series "Soul Train," died Wednesday after apparently shooting himself in the head at his LA home. He was 75. "We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Don Cornelius. He was a pioneer in the television and music industries and his legacy and influence on American culture will continue to live on for many...

Chicagoans - along with the rest of the nation - took time to remember Don Cornelius, the honey-voiced host of "Soul Train," after reports of his death surfaced Wednesday morning. "Don Cornelius is a cultural artifact in America," said Che "Rhymefest" Smith, a Chicago-based musician and former aldermanic candidate. "He's also a pioneer of black television and the building of community through music. " Cornelius' impact, and the impact of "Soul Train," which got its start in a tiny WCIU studio in the Chicago Board of Trade building in 1970,...

Fitz & the Tantrums frontman Michael "Fitz" Fitzpatrick will always remember the group's first trek to Chicago, since the sextet arrived in town for a show at Metro just one day after the epic February blizzard that brought the city to a standstill. "When we pulled up they were literally just pulling the cars off Lake Shore Drive," says the singer. At this point, the weather might be the only thing that can cool off the Los Angeles soul revivalists, who were named Hot Band in a recent issue of Rolling Stone and are currently gearing up to play a trio of sold-out shows at...

You heard it here first: This year's now-complete Bud Light stage at the Taste of Chicago features - well, a ton of great local talent. Here are the top 7 acts on that free stage at the 2013 Taste (July 10-14), with the full schedule below! Mingo Fishtrap, 6:40 p.m. July 10 If this soulful, funky Texas group - the only non-local act on the bill--doesn't get the party started, check the pulse of the people in front of the stage. AboveWaves, 5:20 p.m. July 11 By missing out on our 2013 RedEye Rock 'n' Vote final four, Top 10 finalists AboveWaves lost a chance at...

Thursday 1. CIMM Fest at various Wicker Park/Logan Square locations 2. Ingrid Michaelson at The Vic 3. Second Annual Style Series at The Underground 4. National Grilled Cheese Day at Cheesie's Friday 1. White Sox Home Opener at U.S. Cellular Field 2. Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place 3. Meek Mill, King Louie, Twista and...