Zo

By Dave Miller

The first song showed that marriage must be working for Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby. Standing side by side, they sang Jackie DeShannon’s “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” in a gentle but resolute manner. It wasn’t a tossed-off cover. It was a testimonial to the power of love.

The veteran punk and mod housewife expanded on the point by playing Tom Petty’s “Walls.” After the song finished, Rigby expressed admiration for her husband and his 100 mph driving which got them on time to the early show Friday at Schubas after playing the night before in Memphis. If your relationship can make it through a long road trip then odds are good that it’s going to make it.

The previous two shows that Wreckless Eric, whose real name is Eric Goulden, and Rigby played in town were always interesting and sometimes great, but they occasionally lacked focus and cohesion due in part to Goulden’s penchant for long and winding chatter. Not this time. The duo had its act together from start to finish as it heads into the homestretch of a monthlong tour of the states before returning home to France. They showed terrific chemistry on material from their self-titled album and their new one, “Two-Way Family Favourites,” a collection of covers. In addition to the opening two songs from the album, they visited P.F. Sloan’s “I Get Out of Breath,” Roger McGuinn’s “Ballad of Easy Rider” and Pete Townshend’s “Endless Wire.” They also complemented each other’s material. Goulden gave a kick to his wife’s “Like Rasputin” with his bass, while Rigby provided tasty keyboards on her husband’s ”Reconnez Cherie.”

Goulden likes to talk and tell entertaining stories between songs, but he also kept the show moving, which helped keep the spotlight on the music and Rigby’s contributions. He did take time to tell some rude fans to “shut the fuck up” and go outside if they wanted to continue talking. “You just wanted me to do that, didn’t you,” he said with knowing humor.

Rigby has been a regular visitor to Chicago since her classic concept album “Diary of a Mod Housewife” came out in 1996. She’s put out an amazing run of albums since then. How many other songwriters have been so consistently strong? Her fans may long for the days to hear shows full of her solo stuff again, but for now they’ll have to settle for great duets such as “Here Comes My Ship,” a highlight of the couple’s collaboration. “Teflon Wok” and “Bobblehead Doll,” recently released as a double A-side, 7-inch single, were played back-to-back. The former featured a music journey with Goulden’s guitar and Rigby’s keys, while the latter saw nifty guitar interplay.

Early in the show, Rigby dedicated a heartfelt “Please Be Nice to Her” to her musician daughter, Hazel, who returned to live in Chicago after sampling New Orleans. Late in the show, Rigby’s “Do You Remember That?” related how husband and wife came together. Part of that story includes Goulden’s “(I’d Go The) Whole Wide World,” which Rigby used to cover before they met. The striking song even commanded the attention of the talkers in the back of the room.

"Round" closed the set. It's a song Goulden and Rigby wrote together. Look for more of those to come. Word has it they’re looking to buy a place in the states.

The setlist:

Put a Little Love in Your Heart
Walls
Another Drive-In Saturday
Please Be Nice to Her
Like Rasputin
I Get Out of Breath
Reconnez Cherie
Here Comes My Ship
Men In Sandals
Ballad of Easy Rider
Endless Wire
Teflon Wok
Bobblehead Doll
Do You Remember That?
(I'd Go The) Whole Wide World
Round

Start: 7:42 p.m./Finish: 9:05 p.m.
Totals: 16 songs, one hour and 23 minutes

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