Mixed reception for the Spinal Tap of Folk Music

Vivienne DuBourdieu on Mighty Wind - currently showing at the Watermans

Although the �mockumentary� by Christopher Guest about the folk music industry left me feeling slightly squeamish - as though I�d trodden on a large slug - it kept most of the audience rolling in the aisles with laughter.

With Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Catherine O�Hara in key roles, the film tells the fictional story of late composer, Irving Steinbloom, who provided popular material for three well-known folk groups during the 50s and 60s. You can see A Mighty Wind at Watermans until Thursday, 4th March.

Steinbloom�s tone-deaf son organises a memorial concert in New York City for the three groups, which means difficulties, embarrassments, and some surprising revelations of the way �it really was back then� as they rehearse for the big show.

The Folksmen are an all-male trio who rehearse casually in the kitchen while reflecting on bygone days, and provide many of the genuinely funny moments in the film. Fake archival photos of the band performing hit songs like Hitchin', Singin', Ramblin', Wishin', and Pickin' generate wonderfully wry and witty jokes.

In contrast, Mitch and Mickey, a once popular duo and �folk love story,� go down the lanes into Woody Allen territory but without being nearly as droll during their emotional torments. Last, and most bizarre, are The New Main Street Singers, a group of nine performers who wear appalling matching outfits, and sing upbeat songs with a bit of help from their resident witch. She looks like a commercial for corn-coloured margarine, and finds a phallus in every vertical object.

The contrived juxtaposition of artificial camaraderie, maudlin moments, and below the belt observations simply didn�t gel together easily. But of course the final concert is a roaring success and, whatever you think about the storyline, you can�t help admiring the professional polish Americans bring to anything musical.

March 1, 2004