I keep forgetting to congratulate the winners of this year’s State Fair Talent Showcase, which was announced a few weeks ago by the New Mexico Music Commission. That makes me a hot dog. But it’s our Best of Burque Restaurants issue, so now seems like as good a time as any to sound the trumpets—with relish! (Sorry.) More than $7,000 in prizes, including band merchandise, gear and recording time, was awarded to the local winners. Why wasn’t your band competing, again? (Looks like I’m not the only hot dog here.) Without further ado, here are the victorious bands of 2007. Cheers to them all!
Best Country/Folk/Singer-Songwriter:
Boris and The Saltlicks www.borismccutcheon.comThat’s Boris McCutcheon, Frogville recording artist and local Americana mogul (he’s taken the reins from Nels Andrews). In his music, Boris is suspended in a constant state of wonderment about the world. Buddy, the feeling is mutual.Best Traditional/World/Ethnic:
The Next Chapter www.myspace.com/thenextchapterabqThis Albuquerque four-piece plays Celtic acoustic bluegrass with tight harmonic arrangements and especially spry mandolin and hammer dulcimer parts. Their 2007 "The Celtic Collection" CD is what your holiday playlist is missing. Seriously.Best Blues/Jazz/Gospel:
Le Chat Lunatique www.lechatlunatique.comYou voted them "Best Jazz Act" in the last Best of Burque poll. Now they’re officially the best in the state. Johnny, Muni, Jared and Fernando are among the hardest-working cats in Albuquerque, especially with their Django Fest cresting the horizon (pick up next week’s Alibi for more on that).Best Hip-Hop/Rap:
The 2Bers www.2bers.comA gleaming performance and the addition of a funky, multi-piece band (provided by members of One Foundation) put The 2Bers over the top. I propose "hippy-hop" as a new genre just for these guys. The whole affair was even more special because Brian Hardgroove, bassist of Public Enemy, and Dizzy from Ugly Duckling were special guest judges on the panel. Once in a lifetime stuff.Best Rock/Alternative/Indie:
The Big Spank www.thebigspank.comWe always knew The Big Spank could compete with the best of them—now it’s gone and beat them. Original ska-rock arrangements, crazy acrobatics on stage, Spanglish lyrics and greetings of "We’re the Big Spank from the South Valley" make this band fresh and unmistakably Burque-fied.Omission
Last week’s “Spotlight” on the Oscillation Electronic Music Festival did not include credit for the photographs we printed. The pictures were taken by Keith Alexander. Visit www.efesar.com for more examples of his work.
