Believing in the musical magic of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian at City Winery

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

If there was a secret to The Lovin’ Spoonful’s success as one of America’s primary responses to The British Invasion, it was to “never make a single sound like the last single,” according to the group’s lead singer and primary songwriter John Sebastian. The proclamation came in front of a full house at the acoustically fine-tuned City Winery on a mere Monday, and that statement was exactly the case throughout two-hours of his multi-faceted songwriting and witty storytelling filled with several flashbacks to Greenwich Village circa the 1960s.

John Sebastian’s stories were quite humorous, personable and remarkable, including touring with The Supremes at the peak of their powers, reconnecting with Diana Ross on an all-star gig when he played harmonica for The Staple Singers, plus encounters with Bob Dylan, The Mamas & The Papas’ Mama Cass, The Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere and tons more that were obvious or obscure.

Following bits of his bluesy roots that included the Mississippi John Hurt opener “I’m Satisfied,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and impromptu Woodstock alum turned in everything from the band’s Motown-inspired “Do You Believe In Magic?” to the jangle pop gem “You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice” and the southern-slanted session player salute “Nashville Cats.” In spite of a fairly steady singles streak, the mostly unplugged and alone headliner admitted he’s gone in and out of style at least a half-dozen times, but always managed to stay employed thanks to a varied solo career and writing for television.

Light-hearted children’s cuts such as “Easter’s Been Very Good To Me” and “Nobody Cares Like A Bear” earned giggles by fans and Sebastian himself, though “Welcome Back” was no laughing matter (as much as it put smiles on everyone’s faces) considering it broke the bank as the theme song to “Welcome Back, Kotter.” Of course, The Lovin’ Spoonful’s folk rocker “Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?” popped up nearby the whistle-along “Daydream,” while the poignant “Darling Be Home Soon” found the 75-year-old acknowledging the youthful line “a quarter of my life is almost past” with a winking nod of his head and hand.

Sebastian’s stories from that period were quite humorous, personable and remarkable, including touring with The Supremes at the peak of their powers, reconnecting with Diana Ross on an all-star gig when he played harmonica for The Staple Singers, plus encounters with Bob Dylan, The Mamas & The Papas’ Mama Cass, The Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere and tons more that were obvious or obscure. He occasionally got a little long-winded and could’ve traded a tale or two for the shocking omission of “Summer In The City,” which was unquestionably worthy of a second encore slot had the humble troubadour not been the very first to reach the lobby where he personally greeted absolutely anyone on their way to another round at the bar or simply calling it a noteworthy night.

Click here for more photos of John Sebastian at City Winery.

For additional information on John Sebastian, visit JohnBSebastian.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include Dirty Dozen Brass Band (July 9); A.J. Croce (July 10); Dave Alvin (July 11); Jackopierce (July 12); The LadyGang LadyHang (July 13); Terisa Griffin (July 13); Steve Forbert (July 14); Junior Brown (July 15); Michael Henderson (July 17); The Cosmic Honky-Tonk Revue (July 18); Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express (July 19); Mac McAnally (July 21); Jeff Bradshaw & Friends (July 22); Just Us Gals (July 23); Tortured Soul (July 24); Oleta Adams (July 25); Louis Prima Jr. & The Witnesses (July 26); Sonny Landreth (July 28); Conya Doss & Gordon Chambers (July 30) and Red Wanting Blue (July 31). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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Believing in the musical magic of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian at City Winery

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