Checking out the music scene: Late Breaking News sparkles at The Celtic Knot
Evanston has two huge suppliers of quality music. We have SPACE for jazz, rock, country, blues and soul. We have Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music for classical and more jazz. I have had a tendency to forget about what I call “neighborhood music” — restaurants and drinking establishments that occasionally invite musicians to perform in their spaces. I headed out Friday night to catch the weekly concert series hosted by Patrick and Liz Breslin at their delightful Irish pub, The Celtic Knot on Central Street.
Late Breaking News is one of our local musical groups. This Americana ensemble is led by John Manos on acoustic guitar and vocals. Manos is a longtime Evanston resident — he arrived in 1978. He lives at the corner of Pioneer Road and Lincoln Street, a short walk away from the new location of the Celtic Knot. Late Breaking News plays many gigs on Central Avenue. They have frequented the Fat Shallot’s patio, Ten Mile House and American Legion Post 42.
“That’s because I’m lazy,” Manos said. Geographic proximity to his home is a factor in his booking criteria.
Manos’ bandmates are talented musicians. John Weeks played both violin and viola. His rich tone and impeccable pitch added sparkle to his ensemble work and solo excursions. Weeks was born and raised in Evanston; he moved to Mokena in Will County for career reasons but returns to his hometown often to play with Late Breaking News and The Country Doctors. Electric guitarist Dan Gordon had many interesting musical ideas and produced nimble, twangy solos; he is also a fine singer. Bassist Jim Fujimoto was solid and provided the rhythmic foundation that every band needs; he also had the classic stoic demeanor of the professional bass guitarist. Percussionist Jim Halston banged away on a unique rig — an amplified Meinl “slaptop” cajon arranged in a column that allowed Halston to play while standing.
The set
Late Breaking News kicked off their set at 9 p.m. with Justin Townes Earle’s 2010 tune Harlem River Blues, a dark song about suicide delivered in a cheerful, up-tempo country music package. For those unfamiliar with Justin Townes Earle, he was the son of Steve Earle. His promising career was cut short by an accidental overdose of fentanyl-laced cocaine in 2020.
Late Breaking News is a cover band, but they make each song their own with their unique instrumentation and interpretations of the original material. I especially liked their version of Walk of Life by Dire Straits and Bruce Springsteen’s I’m On Fire. The band covers several genres mostly within a 25-year era — from 1972 through 1997. Paul Simon’s Mother and Child Reunion, Sweet Virginia by the Rolling Stones, John Prine’s Speed of the Sound of Loneliness, and Deal by the Grateful Dead were part of the Friday night set. This was smile-inducing music, and I enjoyed sipping my Guinness and taking in the sound of Late Breaking News.
Speaking of sound, the band had the right volume level for the small space at the Celtic Knot. This is a critically important part of a good performance. Too much volume drives people out of the establishment, which doesn’t please the owners of the venue. I did feel that the vocals were too low in the sound mix. At times, I couldn’t make out the lyrics that Manos and Gordon were singing. Since their set consisted of works by some of America’s top songwriters, this reduced the impact of their music.
Patrick and Liz Breslin are performing an act of community musical service by hosting these free concerts on Friday nights. They know that a good Irish pub should have live music and they book great local talent. The Celtic Knot is one of the most welcoming establishments in Evanston and might be the best place to be on a Friday night. Check out some of the Celtic Knot’s upcoming shows here.
