Dynamic duo

The freewheelin' Folk Support Group

by Michael Caito

Folk Support Group

"Jesus Doesn't 'Kleck' No Tax, Wassail," the scuffling opener on Folk Support Group's Slowly Rollin' (Secret Mission Records) wasn't meant as a Christmas ditty -- the "Wassail" bit was a late add. The duo of Ed McGuirl and Mike Fischman had first toasted Folk Support Group logic decades ago, though as a band FSG hadn't recorded, except said opening track. After that tune was picked up for a Yule compilation CD, perhaps the need to record became more urgent, but whatever the reason they released Slowly Rollin' early on this winter.

McGuirl's stylish bottleneck licks on the FSG's harmonica-fueled tribute to Robert Johnson -- deservedly dubbed nexus of the blues by Ed and Mike -- follows the ebullient "Wassail." "Land of Plenty" is picked acoustic guitar over Dr. John lyric delivery, a homelessness portraiture which envelops. "Remember Me"'s vocal harmonies seem kindred spirits to rollicking Fischman riffs, which don't quite overcome the disc's lone instance of sappiness. The woodwind of "Lonely Fisherman" haunts, and the ensuing "Martin the Pirate" finds Fischman switching to Irish percussionist on bodhran. "Model A Ford" covers an old New Lost City Ramblers tune; banjo/fiddle go flat-out 'til a nice finish. "Raining In Rhode Island" reminds me of the Escape Road in Galilee right after a storm when the clouds slink away. I've caught more than one rainbow on that road away from Pt. Judith. It's arightfully treasured spot, and a reminder of the Folk Support Group's elemental, brine-and-quahog authenticity. They stake the coast, patrol the coast, protect the coast of the Ocean State. As we all should, harkening to the poisoning of the planet's waterways. I mean, if you're gonna call your band Folk Support group, questions of ecology are necessarily long fast friends to the music.

For most of the way through the record it's obvious that the bounce and vigor is matched by instrumental ability. Folk Support Group can plaaaay. So even if the next two tracks wane a bit (a cover of "The Cuckoo" and one of McGuirl's personal chestnuts, "The Fields Are Alive") they bring the spirit back into perfect focus with the anthemic closing title track. Throughout Slowly Rollin' their free-wheeling confidence is never overly virtuosic (look at me! look at me!), though some of their tempos -- "Model A Ford" being a thrilling example -- do smoke. You may already recognize DJ Fischman from WRIU's Folk Department (and as a member of the Fourth Street String Band), but a chance to hear this duo operate should not be missed.

The Push Kings: Blowin' Up! (Sealed Fate vinyl 45)

Cambridge label unleashes hi-octane pop romp from the aw-shucks Beantown quartet who get better and better. Abso-tively gleaming pair o' tunes, produced by erstwhile guitarist Eric Masunaga, who himself knows a thing or thirty about pop melody and hooks. Instant good mood? Right here. They make the Archies sound like Pro Pain. Sunshine all day long, and thanks to WRIU's Queen of Twee Jen Towers for the skinny on these lads a while ago. Push Kings rule, single's ace. Git it.

BYTESWIMMIN'. Without asking anyone's opinion there's another emerging standard vehicle for downloaded online music purchases, they're calling it Liquid Music, they're aligning with notable indie labels (Razor & Tie, Pop Mafia, 911) and freaking out retailers left and right. Retailers can't be thrilled that many artists -- like the talented Formerly Known As short purple Minneapolitan -- are bypassing record stores altogether with singles and entire albums available "exclusively" through the Internet. This may mean more democratization, which may then prove worrisome vis-a-vis actual artistic expression. But you know if all majors bite on the same software -- in this instance MusicPlayer 3.0, which shipped a fortnight ago -- retailers may freak anew. One analyst dweeb, discussing the MusicPlayer standard and its effect on retail, was quoted saying "This is going to undermine the entire current record distribution system." (Of course, inflammatory statements keep idiotic savant analysts in new Calloways.)

Who knows? Overall prices may plummet; artist publishing rights may have to undergo a revamp at least. Musicians may actually benefit. Doesn't that sound suspicious? Masticate this:some ninny ultra-conservative with 19 law degrees or one with a large slice o' Hollywood sewn up or some faraway trillionaire may elect to buy everything -- and everyone -- in one software company transaction. An extremely pungent aspect of this scenario is, it may happen overnight before anyone can react.

One industry, under thrall, indivisible. Small comfort, that. Hope the anti-trust regulators (and musician unions?) are rapt, assigning attention to this, ahem, development. Who wants Bill Gates with their Coltrane? Gee, you never know, a guy like Gates (slash-Rupert Murdoch-slash-Spielberg-slash-the Emir of Yerbouti) may do a great job . . . on everybody's specially-equipped shiny new blue box. Not to mention Radio Free Nada. Where have you gone, FCC?

Such liberal twaddle. You farted.

QAZ and Indigo Jazz Ensemble finally have a custom-made jazz room downtown, and it's not even known for jazz per se. So hearing a trio and quartet go toe-to-toe with a torrent of mostly original tunes is a special event for the still-new-fangled Century Lounge. Flugelhornist Buzz and bassist Kenny Carpenter will have a new look with German drummer Peter Gresch. QAZ (pronounced "QAZ") head into Celebration Sound on May the first for their first-ever CD, produced by the bandand engineered by Chris DiFonzo who, according to Buzzerio, has heard the band "a hundred times." How psyched is Buzz to finally be recording? Bring high expectations -- you know QAZ will be right on point Friday. The Indigos are a relatively new quartet featuring, for all you rock-and-roll fans, former Boss Fuel bassist Theo Regan, who's been with this Ensemble since the demise of that great band coupla years back. Friday at the Century, and it's such a short hippy hippy shake over to the Itchies in the Green Room, where Story Lewis plays her final show. Also, their new drummer Jennifer Yakes (Lungmustard) replaces Alley Sway's Jay Capaldi, with bassist Ty Jesso assuming vocals for the time being, and Brian Dardeen (Bruins fan) taking care of business with Steven Prouty on guitars. At AS220 Friday there's a too-rare glimpse of the funny, enigmatic and sometimes bizarre performance troupe Frodus, and The Agents wrap up Fools Ball week there Saturday. Same night finds Atwater-Donnelly in their annual stop at Stone Soup, or up the hill a few paces the Philharmonic welcome guest conductor Alfred Savia and celebrated pianist Leon Fleisher. Sunday Chan's hosts hot young Irish band Nomos. Egg Roll and Cork. Peace.