Review: Kodo (2/13/13 Chicago Concert)

Amazing.
The 2/13 Chicago program contained Kaden, Monochrome and Ibuki.
The 2nd half had Onidaiko, Tsukimachi, O-daiko and Yatai-bayashi.

Each song is nearly non-stop extreme drumming. The beginning and end is softer music with flutes and singing. Between each song was more soft flute and vocals so the only time for clapping is at the end of each half which is well deserved.

The first video is a 30 second sample of the soft music segments. The 2nd video shows a sample of the non-stop extreme drumming. (View this in full screen mode).

Note: The videos were taken from the first row of the upper balcony.
Also note that if you are tall or have bad knees, don't sit there. The seat had no knee room nor could you stretch out your legs. And the steep stairs had tall step riser heights.

Review: Jackie Evancho (1/24/13 Chicago Concert)

What a delightful evening!!

The orchestra played a couple songs then the lights dim further and spotlight shine. A little girl comes out. When talking to the audience and waiting in the musical interudes, Jackie seemed like a nervous 12 year old little girl. Then she started to sing and she is transformed. Jackie singing has the poise and the voice of a 30 year old. As I said before what a delight to hear.

Here is a real short clip from my seat.



And here is a real short close-up clip from a couple days earlier someone else posted.
Here is another unrelated video that shows Jackie's interaction with the audience. It is also a duet between her and her older brother.