UltimateJonMcLaughlin: TOUR SPOTLIGHT: Jon McLaughlin

Here's a concert review of Jon's recent performance at Chicago's House of Blues by CMC (Christian Music Central).

02-23-2009
by Andy Argyrakis
Tour Spotlight: Jon McLaughlin
“OK Now Tour”
House of Blues/Chicago, IL
Friday, February 20, 2009

Between an Oscar nomination for the single “So Close” (from the Disney movie Enchanted) to tours with Kelly Clarkson, O.A.R., Sister Hazel and Paolo Nutini, it’s easy to assume Jon McLaughlin is entirely concentrated on the mainstream market. However, the Island Records artist has made a point to do a reverse crossover of sorts, signing in the secular scene, but making sure subsequent CDs are available in Christian bookstores, making himself available to faith-based media and peppering statements of faith into several songs.

Considering such a solid foothold on both sides of the fence (alongside the mega hit in-the-making “Beating My Heart” from his second national release OK Now), the Indiana native had no trouble selling out Chicago’s House of Blues. Though it’s impossible to gauge what the audience believed from a spiritual perspective, they were overwhelmingly supportive of McLaughlin’s music, participating in a 90-minute sing-a-long that found the piano popper with modern rock backers covering all the major bases of his career and cover songs that shaped those very steps.

The show opened with the punchy piano ditty “Industry,” an honest look at the music business that found the troubadour stripping away the mask of pretense to promote genuine artistry and integrity. The ultra-infectious “Beating My Heart” followed, placed surprisingly early in the set given its endless radio play these days, but nonetheless a worthwhile decision that involved the entire crowd from the onset. “Perfect” played out as an affirming anthem of marriage with McLaughlin showing off his “Amy” tattoo during blissful lines like: “Cause I found someone to walk me through this life/The brightest sun has opened up my eyes.”

By “You Can Never Go Back,” the headliner traded in his spot in front of the keyboard for an electric guitar, in turn, kicking up the vibe to a grittier feel. Though that transition would continue a couple more times throughout the night, McLaughlin seemed most at home tickling the ivories, even dismissing the band at one point to perform a solo rendition of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” explaining that very artist and song got him started on his own musical path.

In reality, McLaughlin’s style in the studio runs closer to an Abercrombie & Fitch version of Ben Folds, though he shed most of the preppiness on stage to interject some rough-necked blues into the original “Why I’m Talking To You,” along with a psychedelic side throughout The Beatles’ “Come Together.” The urge to remake another oldie came during the encore, thanks to a true to form jangle rock cover of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” though going to the cover well a third time seemed a bit excessive, especially for someone with two full-length albums and a slew of indie projects.

Nonetheless, the show still left room for plenty of fan favorites, including the self-esteem driven “Beautiful Disaster,” the six-string strummer “Always On My Mind” and the through provoking ballad “Human,” which as the title implies, was a heart on sleeve assessment of human nature. “Four Years” provided the most impact on both sonic and semi-spiritual planes, expanding beyond the recorded version into an extended jam that emphasized the fleeting time frame of a student’s high school experience: “Next time you’re walking through your school/Take a look at who’s surrounding you/Or hounding you/Cause it’s all just castles in the sand.” Between those positive sentiments and vibrant musical expressions, McLaughlin remains a steady force in today’s pop climate that can simultaneously entertain and enlighten.

Also check out these great pictures taken at the concert: