Fresh off a “Love & Conflict” reinvention, it was raining Martha Wash at the City Winery

She’s affectionately referred to as “The Queen Of Clubland” thanks to co-leading Two Tons O’ Fun/The Weather Girls and landing on a humongous list of house singles, but that’s only a fraction of the many styles Martha Wash can slay.
In fact, the veteran vocalist refuses to rest on her laurels, instead centering the “Love & Conflict” solo album around blues, jazz, gospel, rock and adult contemporary, which was on ample display in front of faithful who populated the classy City Winery.
Wash may be 71 and amongst the very First Ladies Of Disco, also the name of a rotating supergroup she leads, yet came across ageless and exceptional throughout 90 minutes, accompanied by the grooves of a four-piece band and three supporting singers.
After previously performing at Northalsted Market Days before the pandemic, this intimate affair lent itself well to the wide-range of material, including a chance to catch up on her prior project, “Something Good,” via “Alright,” “Destiny” and the title track.
From there, she went to the very beginning for a medley of “Just Us,” “I Got The Feeling” and “Earth Can Be Just Like Heaven,” plus a few others, alongside the Todd Terry tag team “Keep On Jumpin’,” Aretha Franklin’s Wash-assisted “Freeway Of Love” and Black Box’s “Everybody Everybody,” each enticing the typically seated venue to dance.
The headliner continued to captivate with current cuts “Glamour Flows,” “Like Fire,”
“Honey My Friend,” “Never Enough Money” and “Rise And Shine,” leading to further flexing of those unmistakable vocal chops and contentions for crowns normally placed upon the likes of Aretha or Tina Turner.
Wash is truly in a similar league and there was perhaps no greater indication of her longevity or legacy than “It’s Raining Men,” which in this instance even featured a cameo from fellow disco first lady Linda Clifford and made for such a fabulous finale, the entire City Winery couldn’t contain its recurring screams of “Hallelujah!”
For additional information on Martha Wash, visit MarthaWash.com.
Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include Lissie (May 3); Drag Me To Brunch (May 4); Tyler Hilton and Kate Voegele (May 4); Damon Williams (May 5); Deacon Blues (May 6); Bad Momz Of Comedy (May 7); Jackopierce (May 8); Mother’s Day In Motown (May 9): Soul Brunch: Tribute To Marvin Gaye (May 10); J. Howell (May 10-11); Lynne Jordan & The Shivers (May 11); Lalah Hathaway (May 12-14); Dan Rodriguez (May 15); Asher Roth (May 16); A Classic Album Tribute Brunch: Prince’s “Purple Rain” (May 17); Ramirez And His Flawless Immaculates (May 17); Girl Named Tom (May 18); Fly Guy Byrd (May 19); Marc Roberge (May 20); SIMRIT (May 21); Dave Hollister (May 22-23); Stevie Wonder’s 75th Birthday Celebration: “Songs In The Key Of Life,” A Tribute (May 25); The Garcia Project (May 26); Nikka Costa (May 27); The Klezmatics (May 28); Two Jews Comedy (May 29) and Bob Schneider (May 31). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.