Best Local Traditional/World Band/Artist

Before any purists cry “Foul!” and claim that Cajun and zydeco don’t count as “world music,” last time I checked my atlas, Louisiana was part of the world. Led by Whit Connah and Barbara Panter-Connah, HAIR OF THE DOG has been making asses shake and feet glide for almost 30 years. The musical spirit has stayed on course as the group celebrates the culture and sounds of the ragin’ ’coon ass. But this band isn’t limited to one trick, and on any given night it may rip through a stack of classic country tunes, or a perfect Delta blues riff. With a repertoire like that, how can it not be “world music”?
www.couchslug.com/HairofTheDog/default.htm.

Lead vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Keith Johnston might let his arena-isms and Bono/Peter Gabriel fixation get the best of him, but JANAH ‘s innovative percussion and exquisite vocal harmonies evoke the windswept Egyptian deserts and pungent Middle Eastern atmosphere better than any other local rock band. On stage, the incense, candles, exotic instruments, colorful attire and (hubba hubba) belly dancers add to the experience.

“www.janah.org.”