I have always had a love-hate relationship with music from the mountains and the country. I have wide-ranging tastes in music, even though I make it a point to state how I have a strong dislike for most country music. Even though I prefer to think of myself as anything but a redneck, I have long had a fondness for tunes with a touch of twang in them. While I abhor modern country-and-western music, it’s impossible to ignore the brilliance of artists such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Woody Guthrie. We can get into arguing the difference between folk and country music, but I don’t see the point in arguing semantics. Let’s agree that it doesn’t matter what you call it–there’s a certain breed of music that features a lot of pickin’ and strummin’ and nasal twang and even a bit of yodellin’.
There’s one clear reason why I have such a problem with the good ol’ boy culture; I equate it with the South and racism. Yes, that makes me a bigot of a different sort, but I do not deny the charge. So, if I am willing to get past the self-assigned stigma of enjoying country music, I can also admit that for many years I have been a self-hating white boy. Call it whatever you like. But it is time to put that aside and open up my mind.
When it comes to music from the South, most of what I enjoy is the work of the legendary black blues artists. Could I be any more of cliché? I suppose I could. But let’s try to retrieve me from that fate.
The Two Man Gentlemen Band
This is my long-winded of saying thanking you to The Two Man Gentlemen Band for their music and wonderful live shows, and also for introducing me to the music of Andru Bemis and Paul Curreri. I caught a recent Two Man show at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn. Andru Bemis opened for them, and I almost missed his set. Bemis is a lanky fellow with a voice to match. When he reaches for certain notes, you can hear sinew stretching and cartilage popping. By the time he sang “Home to Me,” I knew this man was the genuine article.
Andru Bemis
Before the Two Man Gentlemen Band played their set at The Baggot Inn in Greenwich Village on May 3, Paul Curreri sat with his guitar and performed an electric set.
Paul Curreri
I will leave it to you to go discover their music. Below, you’ll find links. Start clicking.
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