Saddam Hussein arrived in our mailbox a couple of weeks ago. His face, with a red slash through it, was on a color postcard delivered to our (wrong) address by a fill-in mail carrier. Beneath his mustachioed face were the words, “JUST SAY NO…” and on the flip side, next to a small icon of […]
David Potorti
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Rich Adlin & Mark Appleford
Like the snake oil bottle of “jaundice bitters” on the cover of their CD, Rich Adlin and Mark Appleford concoct a gritty brew of acoustic music that is wonderfully out of step with the century just begun. Although it was released in 2002, Jaundice Bitters’ intentions seem to come from another era, a time before […]
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Plenty of Something
If Wal-Mart’s still standing in spite of your boycott, the IMF is still screwing developing countries in spite of your protests, and CEOs are still denying their role in raiding your retirement account, here’s a better idea: Keep your money where you can see it. Know the people you’re doing business with. And keep your […]
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Alive and Lickin’
At age 60, Dan Hicks may be the most under-appreciated singer-songwriter to come out of San Francisco’s summer of love, but it’s not for talent or want of trying. The guitarist can swing like Django and scat like Ella, but his arch sense of humor informs a cast of hipster characters worthy of Tom Waits. […]
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Last Man on Earth
To understand what’s on Loudon Wainwright’s mind, you need look no further than the titles of his albums: History, Therapy, I’m Alright, More Love Songs, Unrequited, Career Moves, Grown Man, Fame and Wealth, Last Man on Earth. Wry and witty, a skilled tunesmith with an arch sense of humor and a keen eye for the […]
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The Times They Aren’t a Changin’
Just a few more countries we’ve got to invade Because a few more dollars have got to be made Labor, big business, Congress agree Just like they did in Germany. At first hearing, you might think folk singer Peggy Seeger is commenting on foreign affairs, circa 2002. But the song, “Hitler Ain’t Dead” (he’s only […]
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Get Bent
“Don’t take it serious, it’s too mysterious!” Veteran old-time musician Paul Brown is quoting his grandmother, Louise, after being asked about the operating principle behind the Bent Mountain Band, touring again for the first time in 20 years. Band member Mike Seeger makes a similar observation: “It’s one of those mysteries of chemistry, as far […]
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Mappamundi
There’s a lot to love about Mappamundi’s first CD release: powerful vocal harmonies, complex musical arrangements and exotic acoustic instruments played with great relish. And they’re all rendered with pristine clarity, courtesy of Jerry Brown’s studio and Skylark Studios in Chapel Hill. Mappamundi translates as “map of the world,” and the selections take us on […]
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Hark, the Herald Angels Slide
In the good old days, the Firestone tire store was the place you got your holiday music. The display of vinyl albums sat on the counter, next to the road flares. Bing Crosby might be beaming out from the cover, wearing a red stocking cap. Or you might find a collection of classic holiday tunes […]
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Patriot Act
Country musicians Charlie and Ira Louvin had fresh memories of World War II and the Korean conflict when they recorded “Weapon of Prayer” in 1962. But they probably wouldn’t have been surprised to hear it dusted off and played by members of the Triangle old-time group Big Medicine, following the events of Sept. 11. Only […]