To the editors:
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Perhaps Bill Wyman was correct in his August 27 prereview of the Chris Isaak show at the Chicago Theatre. Maybe Chris Isaak is “a real dumb man’s Elvis . . . waiting expectantly for the multiplatinum seller. . .” And he has definitely pursued that hit record in the most ass-backwards manner. After all, a smart musician looking for a hit in 1993 would have given up the Roy Orbison song stylings in favor of something more Eddie Vedderesque. A smart musician would have ditched the sleek design of pompadour and sharkskin suits for the more proper and with-it overalls and dreadlocks of Arrested Development. But not dumb old Chris. He’s still wearing the same damn clothes, playing the same damn Gretsch guitar, and writing and singing the same kind of songs that made his debut disc, Silvertone, such a moody killer back in 1985!!!
Admittedly, Chris Isaak is no guitar-bashing, sociopolitical prophet of disaffected youth. I don’t think he ever set out to be one. He’s just a fairly good-looking guy who manages to shave and comb his hair off his face before the picture is taken. Being the pleasant and humorous interview subject that he is just might be the necessary grease for the publicity machines too.
