Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

The DVD of much admired gospel blues man Kaiser and harmonica maestro Filisko's performance at the 2012 Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, Illinois is, like their music, a no frills affair. What we get is simply the duo's 43 minute set shot from a couple of camera angles which, thanks to the rough and ready nature of the footage, gives the feel of those ramshackle films of yesteryear festivals such as Woodstock and Isle of Wight which nicely ties in with the pair's equally ramshackle stage presence. Kaiser shuffles on to a predominantly darkened stage in T shirt and baggies to plug in a homemade cigar box guitar on "Live Your Life For A Change" and, whilst more close ups would have been useful for any budding DIY guitar makers out there, the man's ability to make a one-stringed instrument sing is more than impressive. Harmonica fans will be interested in Filisko's various techniques ranging from using a tumbler, mic and hand cupping whilst the camaraderie between both performers is plain to see. In fact, so relaxed is the performance that, during the old Kaiser/Mansfield number "In The Light Of The Morning Star", Kaiser performs some guitar maintenance without ever missing a beat. Disappointingly, there are no special features and, given that both men will have stories to tell in relation to their many years in the music business, a couple of short interviews would not have gone amiss.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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