Eden and John’s East River String Band are white city folk — singer/ukulele player Eden Brower and singer-guitarist John Heneghan from New York’s East Village — who cover black country blues from the 78-rpm era with crisp fervor on Some Cold Rainy Day (East River). They don’t strain for authenticity, but they address songs such as Willie Brown’s “Future Blues” and Skip James’ “Crow Jane” with a natural flair that suggests loving study and a respect for the hard lives and fight for joy on the original records.

[From Issue 1065 — November 13, 2008]

Related Stories:

• More from Issue 1065

• Fricke’s Picks: Suicide’s Birthday Party

• Fricke’s Picks: A Punk-Jazz Ruckus