Eden & John's East River String Band

It's been a pleasure to follow the progress of this duo, not only because of their energetic interpretations of old time tunes, but because their two previous albums featured original artwork by close friend Robert Crumb. In addition to designing the cover for Be Kind to a Man When He's Down, Crumb gets more directly involved this time by contributing some accomplished mandolin playing on most of the tracks. His presence actually lends more cohesion to the sound, and when the group are fully filled out with fiddler Pat Conte and guitarist Dom Flemons (of the Carolina Chocolate Drops), they become much more than the old-time record collector vanity project the group still essentially are. Be Kind to a Man When He's Down has much to offer, and not just for Crumb fans.