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They Call Him Mister Lucas / Magic Band On The Move

Some recent incoming reviews and quotes about Gary's recent live appearances and recordings:

"Peter Stampfel, the veteran outsider folkie and holiest of the Holy Modal Rounders, teams up with downtown cracked-guitar mad genius Gary Lucas for an evening of bawdy old-time breakdowns, nervous and otherwise".
—preview of Jan. 2 Joe's Pub Du-Tels gig, Time Out New York 1/8/2004

"Gary Lucas contributes the mercurial Dream of the Wild Horses...played here on acoustic, backed by tabla, it reminds us why the guitarist was once dubbed 'The Anti-Page'."
—4 star review of Guitar Harvest Vol. One, Mojo Magazine, 1/2004

"...highlights include Gary Lucas' brilliant Dream of the Wild Horses..."
—review of Guitar Harvest Vol. One, Guitar Magazine (UK), 12/2003

Gary also reminisces about his friendship and musical involvement with the late Arthur Russell, the incredible singer/songwriter/avant-cellist/dance-trance-minimalist composer, in the current Jan. 2004 issue of The Wire. Gary was inspired to play music fulltime by Arthur's comments to him back in 1987 at a recording session involving Arthur and the rapper Mark Sinclair (now better known as the actor Vin Diesel). Gary continues to perform his own version of Arthur's classic "Let's Go Swimming" (as featured on Gary's Level the Playing Field compilation) at nearly every one of his live solo and Gods and Monsters shows since 1994, in homage to his sadly departed friend (in fact, Gary dedicated his album "Gods and Monsters" to the memory of Arthur Russell).

Also in the new issue of The Wire—The Magic Band's "Back to the Front" album on the ATP label (which features Gary, John French, Mark Boston, and Denny Walley) is listed as one of the Best albums of Avant Rock in 2003!

Next up—The Magic Band rocks London's Royal Festival Hall on Jan. 23rd and Edinburgh's Liquid Rooms on Jan. 24th.