Harried Potter

Honest as an old barn, sincere and sweet as strawberry rhubarb pie, the MacArthur Family's new CD, "Branches on the Family Tree" is a beautiful and warmly personal collection of songs that are rarely heard but should be - especially by those of us who share in their appreciation of life in this neck of the woods.

"Branches on the Family Tree" is to be treasured both for what it isn't and for what it is. What is isn't is a CD like much of what is being produced today. Completely unpretentious, the CD is performed and produced with a simplicity and immediacy that serve the songs well and give you the feeling of being with Gary, Dan and Megan MacArthur as they perform around the kitchen table or campfire. This collection of 12 songs, culled from their experience listening to and singing with their mother, musician and folklorist Margaret MacArthur, and from their own musical lives, "Branches on the Family Tree," is exactly what our times need -- artistry with integrity, devoid of hollow mass culture stylings.

And the songs themselves are a tonic for our times. Traditional tunes and more modern classics written by masters like Pete Seeger, Si Kahn, Rev. Gary Davis, Hazel Dickens and Steve Gillette, the songs fit together to deliver a pleasing homily on what's really important - family, tradition, the land, a deep connection to the natural world, hope. Each song stands on its own, but also makes up something like a chapter in a book that gently shows us a better way to be.

And you can accept what they say because of the integrity of the performers and the way they deliver the songs. The MacArthurs have planted deep roots, still living on the family land they grew up on in Marlboro, so when they sing of these things, they know. And the way the album is produced complements this sense of integrity. The voices, blending well, are up front, the instrumentals -- on guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bass -- are simple; there's no pretension of virtuosity. None needed.

These songs have a transportive quality. Listening to them brings you out of where you are back in time to a simpler time -- or simply up a country road for a little home cooking and good times with friends.

Gary, Dan and Megan MacArthur are performing this Sunday, July 19, at 7 p.m., at The Church in downtown Brattleboro. Tickets are $5 at the door, and I couldn't think of a better value for the money.

I had the pleasure to spend part of my Sunday on the Rock River Artists Studio Tour, and it was a wonderful and uplifting experience in more ways than one.

First, it is always great to meet artists in their studios, see works-in-progress and come into contact with these people as people -- as friends and neighbors who live and work among us. My 4-year-old daughter was with us, and I got a kick out of thinking that over time, she will be exposed to these artists in our community and see that they are real people, doing their work. I don't want to project any future for my daughter, but I do think it's a healthy thing for her to see these people who have pursued their passions and made art their life's work.

The other uplifting aspect was that the artists I saw reported decent crowds and strong sales from this weekend's tour, which encompassed artists living and working in Williamsville, South Newfane and Dover. Many had private fears going in that the economic woes would mean poor sales for them. Those fears, at least for some, appear to have been groundless.

It's hard to speculate why. For some people, I think this is a time to vote wisely with our limited dollars and to invest in our communities and in objects which have a lot of integrity and meaning. It's akin to the Localvore movement among foodies -- people are buying what is made among them, investing in their communities. But a lot of the visitors on the Rock River Artists Studio Tour are from out of state -- in one artist's studio, I glanced at the other entries on the guest book page I had just signed and saw people from Illinois, Florida and Massachusetts (I was the only Vermonter). Perhaps, they're sinking their cash into art; perhaps they're salving some hurt spots within them with art. Perhaps, those who still have money simply like the work being done by area artists and want to collect it. All of the above; none of the above?

Whatever was going on, the weather was perfect, the day was an adventure, the moods were friendly, and the studios were busy. I'll cling to that as good news, no matter what else is going on.

I just finished reading an advance copy of Archer Mayor's upcoming Joe Gunther novel, "The Price of Malice," and I must say I really liked it.

Mayor picks up threads he left off in his last novel, "The Catch," and adds many new twists, starting with a murder scene with a strange set of clues in the opening chapter. As the book goes on, Mayor adds an unnerving look into Brattleboro's underbelly, the aspects of our town that those of us who are smug about living here tend to forget. He also subjects his main character, Joe Gunther, to a moral and professional dilemma that takes him into new territory. In "The Price of Malice," Gunther isn't quite the rock of stability he has been in the past, and the result is a book of unusual depth and earthiness.

I'm not the expert in Mayor's work that his true fans are, but I have read five or six of the 20 Joe Gunther mysteries he's written. I'm willing to say this is my favorite.

"The Price of Malice" is due out in October. I'd love to know what you think of it when you read it.

Brattleboro a cappella fans - and there many - will remember the Groove Barbers, who graced the Latchis Theatre stage in 2007 to serve as musical emcees and special guests at the annual college a cappella concert.

Comprised of former college a cappella singers, the Groove Barbers were formed by three former members and co-founders of Rockapella, and they showed the crowd in Brattleboro a good time.

Last Saturday night, they were in Pittsfield, Mass., at the beautiful Colonial Theatre, and dazzled a near-capacity crowd with a crowd-pleasing two-hour set. The group of Sean Altman, Steve Keyes, Charlie Evett and Kevin Weist was touring in support of a new CD, "Guts." I picked up a copy, and it's damned good.

With 16 songs, "Guts" mixes old a cappella stand-bys with lesser-known stuff, new songs and originals and is really fun to listen to. My particular favorites are "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," done in a new arrangement and new tempo that really breathe new life into the song; a nice arrangement of the Beach Boys' "Surfer Girl"; "My Home" and unequvically the best version of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" I've ever heard. My wife is fond of "Workin' on a Coalmine" and my 4-year-old pretty much likes it all, especially "Zombee Jamboree."

At the concert, the Groove Barbers unveiled a new side project - taking opera arias and backing them with doo-wop accompaniment - with hilarious results. Inna Dukach, who happens to be married to Altman, was the soprano soloist, and she has serious opera chops, an amazing voice with stunning control. The two doo-opera numbers (I prefer the name "opera cappella") went over well, and one of them appears on the CD. It's an example of a group always on a quest to bring something new to a cappella, a noble trait, don't you think.

All in all a great show - the group member sang until they had literally lost their voices - and a CD that's definitely a worthy addition to your collection.

For more information, visit www.groovebarbers.com.