Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The songwriter side of Karla Bonoff always seems to connect with some serious voices, from her earliest exposure on Linda Ronstadt’s “Hasten Down The Wind” project, to cuts covered by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd and many more.

She also struck soundtrack gold, penning and performing selections for the gargantuan “Footloose,” “The Wonder Years” and “8 Seconds,” in between sporadically releasing solo projects and reconnecting with fellow all-star troubadours, Andrew Gold, Kenny Edwards and Wendy Waldman, in their band Bryndle.

Her own album of re-recordings, “Carry Me Home,” came in 2019 after a considerable studio absence, followed quickly by 2020’s “Silent Night” because of a pandemic-forced pause from the road, which finally came to an end when acoustic guitar/piano playing Bonoff, accompanied by supporting guitarist Nina Gerber, made the already cozy City Winery feel like their living room.

Together, they gently sang and strummed through such folk or soft rock standouts as “Home,” “Baja Oklahoma,” “Trouble Again” and many others across 90 minutes for an attentive audience.

An earthy rendition of Jackson Browne’s “Something Fine” hearkened back to Bonoff’s younger years in a fertile California scene that simultaneously included the rise of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and the Eagles.

Of course, the Ronstadt/Aaron Neville duet “All My Life” and the equally lovely “Someone To Lay Down Beside Me” needed no introduction from the headliner, plus Gerber got her chance to skillfully solo on the Ukrainian national anthem and a bit of The Youngbloods’ “Get Together.”

Even though many of those moving moments were popularized by others, Bonoff is no stranger to the charts “Personally,” a track that warmly appeared in the encore prior to the folk standard “The Water Is Wide,” which tapped into the formative origins of someone who became a writing treasure.

For additional information on Karla Bonoff and Nina Gerber, visit KarlaBonoff.com and Nina Gerber.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include The Smithereens (Nov. 2); Mindy Smith (Nov. 3); Eddie Griffin (Nov. 4-5); Chris Smither & Tim O’Brien (Nov. 6); Ron Artis II (Nov. 7); Peter Cottontale (Nov. 8); Devotchka (Nov. 9); Mason Jennings (Nov. 10); Rachael Yamagata (Nov. 11-12); Fun Lovin’ Criminals (Nov. 13); Peter Cincotti (Nov. 15); Ryan Montbleau (Nov. 16); Glen Phillips (Nov. 17); Keke Watt (Nov. 19); Beatles Brunch (Nov. 20); Kristin Hersh (Nov. 20); Tone Stith (Nov. 21); Kindred The Family Soul (Nov. 22-23); BoDeans (Nov. 25-Nov. 27); Natasha Leggero (Nov. 28) and Robert Glasper (Nov. 29-Dec. 2). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

Related Articles

For start of sold out triple header, City Winery has a lot of faith in John Hiatt John Hiatt: “The Eclipse Sessions” Tour at City Winery Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers: “A Cure For Loneliness” Tour at City Winery J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf trades angel in the “Centerfold” for blues, bluegrass and more Graham Nash unplugs and offers the wisdom of experience for final City Winery sell out “I Love Your Smile,” “90210” singer Shanice soulful, incredible during City Winery comeback A crowded City Winery “Can’t Wait Another Minute” for revived R&B hit makers Hi-Five “Love Is The Drug” at United Center as the artful glam of Roxy Music reaches a half-century