In a seemingly incongruous
pairing, Paul Curreri, the folk musician and Andy Friedman, the artist, have
hit upon what may be the coolest, if not most interesting show to come around
in a long time. Officially called "The Make A Living Tour," the duo,
who also happen to be best friends, are traveling across the nation bringing
the show to truck stops, taverns, bars and barns. Here's the lowdown, if there
is such a thing for this show: Former staffer to the New Yorker magazine and
cartoonist who goes by the name "Larry Hat," Friedman has made what
he wants us to call an album, which is really a collection of drawings, polaroids
and a longish poem called "Drawings & Other Failures." Friedman
gives a slideshow of these works. Get slideshow and its lackluster connotations
out of sight and mind. Instead, think smart, funny banter accompanied by great
drawings and photographs. And if you can wrap your skull around the idea that
this is visual music, so much the better. Curreri, on the other hand, is a country
blues, folk songwriter who knows how to embroider beautiful melody from a six-string
while singing songs that would send Peter Case busking into the woods. Whatever
you call it, both artist and musician, and the combination of both are blissful
discoveries.