Advertise with The Big Takeover
The Big Takeover Issue #94

Jeff Elbel

Jeff Elbel is obsessed with music (just like you), which explains his affection for The Big Takeover. As far as he can recall, he has contributed to every issue since #43 with R.E.M. on the cover. His featured articles have included interviews with heroes Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil, “Saint Bob” Geldof of the Boomtown Rats, and Sharon Jones of the Dap-Kings. Jeff works for a NASA consultant group by day, and fills as many of the other waking moments as possible chasing his daughters and performing with groups including his rock and roll band Ping. Jeff also freelances for the Chicago Sun-Times, and is nearly always sleep-deprived.

Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd (Mercury Studios)

1 October 2024

Viewers get a sense of Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett’s peculiar genius and the tragedy of seeing his bright spark extinguished.

Motown Series (Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Supremes) - reissues (Elemental Music/Motown)

1 October 2024

Elemental Music continues its Motown Sound series of vinyl LP reissues, offering an education in essential ‘60s and ‘70s pop.

Metallica - Soldier Field (Chicago) - August 9th, 2024

12 August 2024

The San Francisco-based metal quartet recently released their 11th studio album 72 Seasons and hit the road to promote the new material.

The Dandy Warhols – Rockmaker (Sunset Blvd.), Live at Levitation 2014 (Reverberation Appreciation Society)

19 June 2024

The Portland, Oregon alt-rock heroes return with an adventurous new studio album and a live album including old favorites.

Mitski – Auditorium Theatre (Chicago, IL) – March 22, 2023

23 March 2024

Mitski performed the second in a series of four sold-out concerts at Chicago’s storied Auditorium Theatre. The run of shows launched a new leg of touring in support of the celebrated songwriter’s seventh album, 2023’s The Land is Inhospitable and So are We.

Warren Zevon – Excitable Boy (Asylum/Mobile Fidelity)

22 January 2024

Collaborator Jackson Browne referred to Zevon’s music as “song noir.” 1978’s Excitable Boy is reissued as an audiophile’s dream by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.

The Ocean Blue – Davy Jones Locker LP (Korda)

20 January 2024
Nearing its 25th birthday, The Ocean Blue’s charming fifth album and independent debut has been newly remastered for its first vinyl LP release.

Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World (Matador)

16 January 2024

Should all bands that manage to survive four decades together make albums this good?

Little Feat - Highwire Act Live in St. Louis 2003 (Mercury Studios/UMG)

12 January 2024

Favorably compared to essential 1978 live album Waiting for Columbus, this set highlighting the post-*Lowell George* Little Feat arrive on Blu-ray for the first time.

Chico Hamilton – The Master 50th anniversary reissue (Craft)

27 December 2023

Reissued for its 50th anniversary, this album of instrumental tracks finds “cool jazz” drummer Chico Hamilton supported for a feast of swampy soul-rock and southern boogie by the members of Little Feat.

Jazz Dispensary – At the Movies (Craft)

27 December 2023

Jazz Dispensary: At the Movies is a spirited collection of familiar and obscure soul, funk, and R&B tracks used in urban cinema, blaxploitation films, and cult-classic movies released between 1969 to 1975.

Sherinian/Phillips – Live (InsideOut)

27 December 2023

Prog-fusion fixtures Simon Phillips and Derek Sherinian partner with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal and Ric Fierabracci to form a prog-rock dream team of virtuosic player’s players for this instrumental outing.

Beck, Bogert & Appice – Live In Japan 1973, Live In London 1974 4xLP box set (ATCO/Rhino)

27 November 2023

This set attests to the supergroup trio’s power and truncated potential even better than its gold-selling studio 1973 album.

The Claudettes – The Venue (Aurora, IL) – Nov 11, 2023

25 November 2023

The Claudettes returned to their suburban Chicago haunt at The Venue in Aurora, Illinois for a wide-ranging set drawn from all points of the band’s 13-year career – including songs from an upcoming EP.

Ani DiFranco – Little Plastic Castle 25th Anniversary LP (Righteous Babe)

11 November 2023

The 25th anniversary of indie folk-rocker Ani DiFranco’s top-charting album Little Plastic Castle is celebrated with its first-ever vinyl release.

Yes – Paramount Theatre (Denver) – October 26, 2023

30 October 2023

Progressive rock fans in Denver ventured through a cool and drizzling Thursday night to see genre pioneers and frontrunners Yes perform during the band’s The Classic Tales of Yes tour.

Wilco – Mission Ballroom (Denver) – October 22, 2023

27 October 2023

Wilco made a strong case for the fresh songs from Cousin and Cruel Country, interspersed with fan favorites.

Travis – The Invisible Band Live LP (Craft)

25 October 2023

This limited 2xLP Record Store Day release captures a hometown performance of Travis’ 2001 album The Invisible Band.

Riot Fest: Day 3 - Douglass Park (Chicago, IL) - September 17, 2023

20 September 2023
After a delayed start, the final day of this year’s Riot Fest moved swiftly toward its eagerly-anticipated headlining set by The Cure.

Andy Summers - North Shore Center for the Performing Arts (Skokie, IL) - September 8, 2023

16 September 2023

Legendary Police guitarist Andy Summers delighted enthusiastic superfans during an intimate evening of music, imagery and stories.

ABBA – Ring Ring 50th anniversary 2xLP (Polar)

17 June 2023

ABBA’s 1973 debut album Ring Ring was the first of the Swedish pop phenomenon’s “golden eight.” For those with a sweet tooth, it’s a crafty pop confection.

Video: "King of a Land" by Yusuf/Cat Stevens (BMG/Dark Horse)

28 April 2023

Yusuf / Cat Stevens shares his wishes and advice with England’s new monarch. “The major message of the song is, don’t forget that there’s One above you, and be careful to look out for those who are below you,” says Yusuf.

The Foreign Films - Magic Shadows (Sonic Envy)

26 April 2023

The Foreign Films’ sixth release guides the crafty Bill Majoros’ love of classic ‘60s/‘70s pop-rock toward the retro-futuristic ‘80s.

Paul McCartney and Wings – Red Rose Speedway 50th Anniversary LP (MPL/Capitol/UMe)

20 April 2023

Paul McCartney’s second album under the Wings banner arrives this week as a limited-edition vinyl LP reissue for Record Store Day, just in time to celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 30.

Zebra - The Arcada Theatre (St. Charles, IL) - April 08, 2023

9 April 2023

While performing their 1983 debut album for its 40th anniversary, New Orleans’ heavy rockers Zebra created a special one-off event for returning fans at the Arcada Theatre.

Angel - The Arcada Theatre (St. Charles, IL) - March 19, 2023

21 March 2023

The Arcada Theatre was rocking with Angel classics and songs from forthcoming album Once Upon A Time.

Frank Zappa – Waka/Wazoo Deluxe Box (UMe/Zappa Records)

21 February 2023

The box set is a treasure for Zappaphiles, and the LPs are recommended for newer disciples who want to bridge the gap between the well-known Hot Rats and Apostrophe (‘) albums.

Al DiMeola, Jean-Luc Ponty, Stanley Clarke – Rite of Strings: Live at Montreaux 1994 (Mercury Studios)

2 February 2023

This live set captures a summit meeting of iconoclastic musicians as it happened nearly 30 years ago at the famed and influential Montreaux Jazz Festival. The concert predates and foreshadows a classic album for fans of ’90s fusion.

Bull y Los Búfalos – Fury (Paramour)

28 December 2022

Spanish native and Austin, Texas transplant Diego “Bull” Avello and band offer riff-driven blues-based rock and positivity.

Video: "Ghost In The Needle / Not OK At All" by The Wayside (independent)

20 December 2022

“We never really went away, but it really feels like the Wayside is back,” says singer John J. Thompson. The Wayside brings its blend of roots-rock, alt-country and Americana to two new singles.

My Brightest Diamond at Gezelligheid – Fourth Presbyterian Church (Chicago, IL) – December 14, 2022

15 December 2022

Shara Nova performed new My Brightest Diamond material during an opening set for the fifth of seven seasonal Gezelligheid concerts by Andrew Bird. Photos by Alec Basse.

Iron Maiden – United Center (Chicago, IL) - October 5, 2022

6 October 2022

Spooky metal for Halloween! Iron Maiden brought its Legacy of the Beast tour to United Center in Chicago, IL.

The Staple Singers – Be Altitude: Respect Yourself 50th Anniversary LP (Stax/Craft)

27 September 2022

Students of the American Civil Rights movement will find this album, widely considered to be the Staples’ best fusion of Gospel fervor and pop appeal, to be a joyous component of the syllabus.

The Verlaines – Live at the Windsor Castle, 1986 (Schoolkids)

25 September 2022

Thanks to Schoolkids Records for bringing this underrated gem from the days of college rock and jangle-pop into the light.

The Tragically Hip – Live at the Roxy Los Angeles, May 3, 1991 (Universal Music Canada)

25 September 2022

Live at the Roxy documents early days when the Hip leaned heavily upon its blues-rock roots. The heady and visceral material is played with fierce commitment.

The Band – Cahoots 50th anniversary deluxe LP (Capitol/UMe)

25 September 2022

The Band’s fourth album Cahoots is celebrated with a deep dive into the quintet’s career circa 1971.

The Who – My Generation, A Quick One, The Who Sell Out, Tommy half-speed mastered LPs (UMC/Polydor)

25 September 2022

These reissues present the Who’s revered mod-era material in the best possible light within the constraints of the vinyl format.

The Police – Greatest Hits (Polydor/UMC)

25 September 2022

The Police made a high-octane run between 1978 and 1983, showing rapid development from admitted origins as calculated punk scene posers to ultimate status as world-dominating pop-rock chart-toppers.

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers – Modern Lovers 88 LP reissue (Rounder/Craft)

25 September 2022

This album’s charm hinges upon Jonathan Richman’s knack for writing songs that radiate innocence and simple fun.

Leo Nocentelli – Another Side (Light in the Attic)

24 September 2022

This compelling record from Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli is out of character in a very special way, and it also comes with an astonishing origin story.

Cloakroom – Dissolution Wave LP (Relapse)

24 September 2022

Dissolution Wave is the aural equivalent of a weighted blanket. If you’re pining for the melodic and heavy space-rock from the late 90s, Cloakroom has returned with its third album to provide the sublime but downcast shoegaze sound your spirit craves.

Brian May – Another World Deluxe LP reissue (UMe)

24 September 2022

24 years later, Another World still charts a path of imagination toward a better place.

The Rolling Stones – Licked Live in NYC (Mercury Studios/Universal)

24 September 2022

As the Rolling Stones tour in support of the band’s 60th anniversary, this concert film is being re-released from the days when the band had merely 40 years, or “licks,” to their credit. This 2003 show was captured at Madison Square Garden.

Creedence Clearwater Revival – "Travelin’ Band (live)" b/w "Who’ll Stop the Rain (live)" RSD 7” (Craft)

24 September 2022

This 7” vinyl disc features a hot CCR performance drawn from the Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall live album and documentary concert film.

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On 50th Anniversary 2xLP (Tamla/UMe)

24 September 2022

Marvin Gaye’s catalog overflows with gems, but What’s Going On is the crown jewel.

The Beach Boys – The Very Best of the Beach Boys: Sounds of Summer LP box (Capitol/UMe/Brother)

24 September 2022

Songs spanning 1962 debut album Surfin’ Safari through 1989’s Still Cruisin’ capture the pure escapism of classic surf-rock sides and expand toward Brian Wilson’s pursuit of pop perfection characterized as “teenage symphonies to God.”

Wings – Wild Life 50th anniversary LP (Capitol/UMe)

23 September 2022

After the homespun McCartney and domestic collaboration of Ram, Paul McCartney stepped back toward band work with his third post-*Beatles* album.

Riot Fest: Day 3 - Douglass Park (Chicago, IL) - September 18, 2022

19 September 2022

Despite forecasts of an inbound storm that threatened to disrupt Nine Inch Nails’ headlining set, Chicago received sunny end-of-summer weather during most of the final day at Riot Fest. Jeff Elbel’s coverage includes The Linda Lindas, Jawbox, Lunachicks, Jimmy Eat World, and Sleater-Kinney.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Travelin’ Band (live) b/w Who’ll Stop the Rain (live) 7” (Craft)

10 August 2022

This 7” platter features live performances from 1970 of two songs that would soon appear in studio versions on CCR’s Cosmo’s Factory album.