The Holy Modal Rounders: Bound to Lose
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The main menu has a great photograph of Peter and Steve while one of their songs called Euphoria plays in its entirety. I listened to this many times and for my money's worth it is the perfect representation of their music. Humorous lyrics with Peter singing a high harmony part to Steve's lead vocal with Steve on guitar and Peter on fiddle. But it's HOW they sing it. Steve with a very sort of sarcastic delivery and Peter with an indescribable almost cartoon-like comic voice. It's quite a trademark. Other things I liked in this documentary were the telling of how they were once part of The Fugs and extensive filming at both men's present day homes-Peter with his wife and 2 daughters in New York and Steve living out in the Pennsylvania countryside with his mother in a delapedated farm house. There are lots of scenes of Peter, Steve and the rest of the Modal Rounders rehearsing and performing for their 2000 reunion. One irritating appearance is made by journalistic know-it-all Robert Cristgau who over the course of his assessment of Peter and Steve deems Joan Baez "P U!" letting his mouth hang open. Charming. But that aside, I came away from this film with a love and respect for Peter and his good natured personality and unique singing style and wonderful performing. And a nagging urgency to collect some H.M.R.'s records to listen to. There is an excellent chapter on the group in the book "Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll" by Richie Unterberger which I pulled off of my shelf and tore into upon completion of viewing of this documentary. 12/9/08
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