Alliteration is the sincerest form of flattery.

Last night, I braved the crowds and smoke of the Mermaid Tavern to hear Full Frontal Folk, a fabulous female foursome who, if there is any justice in this world, are fated for Festival fame. The participants-- Jen Schoenwald, Courtney Malley, Thea Shoulson and Wendy Fuer--sounded even better than they looked and they are enormously attractive.

Their repitore is an olio of traditional and quasi-pop, served in pristine a capella complexity: haunting, exciting, unforgettable. I was mesmerized by their arrangement of "Katie Cruel". That old lament never sounded truly dissipated and forlorn before FFF got their hands on it.

When the ladies choose to accompany themselves, they don't lose a step. I particularly liked the lead violin Wendy wielded. Her playing is skilled, accurate and tasteful.

I am told that there is a CD in the near future. I can hardly wait.

MM for PFS