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Music Friday: 81 is the new 18 and other musings


by Manuel Mendoza 25 Apr 2008 1:08 PM

Fresh off last night’s triumphant Tony Bennett concert, I stumbled across another emotive pop singer at the opposite end of the age spectrum, Dan Hunter of Fort Worth, who performs under the moniker PlayRadioPlay! While performers like Bennett are making the case for my headline, citizen journalists like the Pegasus News community member who reviewed […]

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Fresh off last night’s triumphant Tony Bennett concert, I stumbled across another emotive pop singer at the opposite end of the age spectrum, Dan Hunter of Fort Worth, who performs under the moniker PlayRadioPlay!

While performers like Bennett are making the case for my headline, citizen journalists like the Pegasus News community member who reviewed PRP’s new album, Texas, are threatening to become as legitimate as paid scribes. She persuaded me to check out this Island Records act I hadn’t even heard of two hours ago, and I was pleasantly surprised.


The lyrics to Hunter’s silly love song, “Madi Don’t Leave,” are plain-spoken desperate/hilarious, delivered without a wink. (“Baby, let’s run away to the East Coast or Seattle, Corpus or San Marcos. I’ve got a credit card and a reliable car. Let’s drive to Pennsylvania.”) Sporting a slight British accent, a bit of a Smiths feel, a sharp album cover and heaps of hooks, his intentions are beside the point. Check out his record collection, see him at noon Sunday on the third stage at Edgefest 17 and report back.

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Do the same with Bennett next time he’s in town. Two notes that didn’t make my review: He mentioned that a recording made at Bass Hall years ago sounds so good, it’s what he uses to relearn his set after long layoffs. Also, my date noticed the way Bennett opens his arms at the end of every song, as if to invite the audience to love him. It wasn’t a problem.

Local synergy: Dallas soulster Bobby Patterson and instrumental rock band Shibboleth are collaborating. Read all about it.

Can you keep a secret? Should you? Speaking of Quick!, did anyone catch last night’s “Big Thing?” This guy did, and so did this gal.

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