BEST MUSIC POLL
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PROVIDENCE
Best Blues/R&B Act in Providence
Eric French
We may need to break our budget and hand over an additional BiMPy to 2011 Blues/R&B victor Eric French, who decided to cut a double-LP debut as Eric French & Mr. Hyde ($10 at ericfrench.com), with one disc of nice acoustic folk and blues numbers and a second disc (the Mr. Hyde side) of feisty barroom blues, crunchy rock, and some Texas doo-wop. But French is at his best with the lights cut low, and "Ain't No Fury" from the acoustic disc is a steely tale of scorn and revenge. He's booked through the summer from here to Maine; check his website for dates.
Runners-up
2. Paul Geremia
3. Roomful of Blues
4. Chris Monti
by PHOENIX STAFF
