Rita Wilson brought The Sound of a Woman tour to Chicago’s City Winery, kicking off the weekend with help from Max Bartos.
As the main street outside of City Winery was shut down for the first night of Taste of Randolph (one of Chicago’s largest street festivals), it was a surprising night to have a show scheduled. However, the street closures ended just before the entrance to City Winery, so it was still accessible with a little extra navigational skill. Luckily, the musical performances outside could not be heard inside the venue.
The clock turned 7:45 PM, and Max Bartos took to the stage. He usually performs as part of Max Bartos & the Motherfolkers, but since he was joined only by Jake Kitchin, he joked he just had one motherfolker with him. At the tender ages of 23 and 24, the duo had Chicago’s City Winery in the palms of their hands. By the end of their 30-minute set, they achieved an emphatic sing-along from the audience. Max was armed with his acoustic guitar and a kick drum, and Jake accompanied on the mandolin. Add to the mix some beautiful harmonies, and they had a sound much fuller than just the two of them.
Max reflected on his younger years, telling a story about how, at 16 years old, he was set to make his Broadway debut just as production was shut down due to covid. Now, at 23 years old, he’s opening for Rita Wilson. You can’t say that is a bad turn of events. He is clearly meant to be on a stage, whether it be in a theatre or a concert hall.
They will be back in Chicago in a week to sing the National Anthem for the White Sox. Keep an eye out for these guys, we’re sure we’ll be seeing more of them.
After a short break, it was time for Rita Wilson to take to the stage. In contrast to the stripped-back duo opener, Rita was joined on stage by an ample-sized six-piece band. The band included Andrew Doolittle on guitar and taking the role of band leader, as well as Lorenza Ponce on violin, who has also shared the stage with the likes of Bon Jovi. The band’s performance was so flawless, you’d be pardoned for closing your eyes and thinking you were listening to a recording.We all know there are a number of actors who are also musicians. There are some that are clearly embarking on a passion project without the necessary skillset, and there are those whose musical abilities are equal to their acting chops. Rita definitely falls into the latter camp. Her voice is nothing short of exquisite. You couldn’t help but be captivated and drawn into her performance.
Rita recently released her sixth studio album, Sound of a Woman, on May 1. While early on in the set she introduced one of her songs as being for anyone the music spoke to, but there is a clear voice for women in the lyrics. “Your Mother” clearly touched the members of the audience as Rita acknowledged someone who was sitting in front of the stage who had become emotional with that song. “Whose Body is This?” speaks of the changes that women’s bodies go through over the years. Wilson also spoke about when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and asked her husband, Tom Hanks, to throw her a really big party if she went before him, before singing her song, “Throw Me a Party.”
Although some of the lyrics in the songs might have tugged at the emotions, the crowd left with smiles on their faces for the fun night they’d had.
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