I like Sheyes sliding rule, it's my new standard. About "Bands" I love these guys. They're doing what we like to do,in many cases exceptionally well, but you youngsters needn't be poor, pitiful, ignorant sorts anymore (insert that winky emoticon thing here). The Smithsonian is slowly releasing the old folkways collections, and if you look hard you can still find old folkways l.ps'. (What's an l.p? You are young). Folkways was one of the greatest musical projects ever in the history of recorded music. Moses Ash (wasn't that his name) deserves a star on the American flag. Also library of congress recordings are appearing on c.d. In some cases these songs are recordings of people so old they don't remember all the words, or their voices are so worn that they don't sing very well, but they're honest songs sung without artifice and they are what the bands are elaborating on. Nothing beats making music with good company, but listening to recordings is pretty damn nice.

Frank I.T.S.