By: Jim McGuire
Dulono's, just off Lake and Lyndale in South Minneapolis, has some of the best pizza in town. If you arrive, as I did, at about 8:00 on a Saturday night you'll quickly see evidence that this is no secret. As always, the place was packed. I did manage to find a table in the back, about as far from the stage as you can get. That's because the regulars know what I know – as good as the pizza is, the real reason to come on a weekend evening is for the live bluegrass and old time music.
On this particular night, we were treated to Cousin Dad, an award winning local combo that's been playing together long enough (17+ years) to be very tight on stage, while still loose enough that it’s clear they play for the pure joy of it. Some longtime members of the Twin Cities scene will recognize three of Cousin Dad’s members from the legendary Twin Cities folk/rock band Farm Accident.
Billed as an “eclectic string band,” Cousin Dad easily flows (sometimes all in one medley) from the well-crafted bluegrass you'd expect to Latin music, pop tunes and original songs without missing a beat. Their style is so varied that they may be the best band for your introduction to the experience that is Dulono's. If you're not sure you like bluegrass, Cousin Dad gives a taste of it while still playing songs that are familiar. For example, I heard Dylan's “Bucket of Rain,” Van Morrison's “Into the Mystic,” and the Violent Femmes “Blister in the Sun” as part of a medley that moved into “La Bamba,” off to a tune I didn't recognize, back to “Blister in the Sun” and for no reason I can fathom, closed with a single line of “You Light up my Life.”
If you go see Cousin Dad, expect the unexpected, but expect it with a booming bass, incredible solos on fiddle and mandolin, smooth guitar licks, crafty percussion and four-part harmonies.
Photo by Timmy Ramone.
Location Info:
Dulono's Pizza
Artist Info: Cousin Dad
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