GOOD TIMES (Santa Cruz, CA)
January 30-February 5, 2003
by Bruce Willey

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.