Photos by Andy Argyrakis

As country music continues to radically stray from its roots, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives have remained a constant force when it comes to steering the compass back towards tradition.

Though their foundation is built on the bedrocks of yesteryear, the results are far from old fashioned, but rather, downright timeless thanks to an unparalleled amount of virtuosity and authenticity.

The North Shore Center For The Performing Arts’ George Van Dusen Theatre in Skokie saw firsthand why the lifelong leader is a five-time Grammy Award-winner, Country Music Hall of Famer and member of the Grand Ole Opry, in addition to staying a regular risk taker well over half a century since starting out accompanying Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash.

Alongside guitarist Kenny Vaughan, bassist/guitarist Chris Scruggs and drummer Harry Stinson, all of whom sometimes sang, the group’s latest long-player, “Space Junk,” is a actually an entirely instrumental affair, featuring an arty album cover designed by none other than Herb Alpert, the leader of wordless pioneers the Tijuana Bass, who surely informed the sounds channeled through Stuart and company’s rootsy style.

“La Tingo Tango,” the title track and “Waiting On Sundown” were amongst those that stimulated the nearly full house with surf-inspired beats, sunny rhythms, and perhaps most importantly, fantastic fretwork.

However, it was merely a fraction of the 100-minute night, which touched on Stuart’s gold-selling solo streak via “Tempted” and “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’,” plus provided a general overview of last few Superlatives projects and some future samples.

Even the covers, including Dave Dudley’s “Six Days On The Road,” The Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” and Reno & Smiley’s “Country Boy Rock ’N’ Roll,” were cast in such unique light, they could’ve very well come out of the headliner’s cannon.

Still, there was nothing like hearing the originals “Time Don’t Wait” and another “Space Junk” trifecta, any of which could be characterized by a lengthy list of Fabulous Superlatives indeed and spoke to Stuart’s status as being just as much a trailblazer today as he’s ever been.

For additional information on Marty Stuart, visit MartyStuart.net.

Upcoming shows at the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts’ George Van Dusen Theatre include “Frank” (Nov. 21); A Tribute To “The Last Waltz” (Nov. 22); One Night In Memphis (Nov. 23); Jim Brickman (Nov. 29); Music Of The Baroque: Handel’s “Messiah” (Nov. 30); Women Of Kehillah (Dec. 1); Mark O’Connor (Dec. 2); Salt Creek Ballet: “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 5-6); Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus (Dec. 7); “Annie” (Dec. 18); Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular (Jan. 15); Music Of The Baroque: Fathers & Sons (Jan. 25); BoDeans (Jan. 31); Black Violin (Feb. 10); “Piaf!” (Feb. 13); “The Suitcase” (Feb. 17); Skerryvore (Feb. 21) and Secret (Feb. 22) For additional details, visit NorthShoreCenter.org.

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