But we also love the music as art, and to that end we spent a fun afternoon last weekend in Phoenicia, N. Y. After downing the great pancakes at Sweet Sue’s on Main Street, we crossed the macadam and ended up at the Mystery Spot—truly one of upstate New York’s great finds.
The Mystery Spot is a gallimaufry of inherently luminous cast-offs owned and operated by Laura Levine, who does striking outsider art–like paintings of early rock figures and venerable country artists. These paintings have been published, along with informative words from Holly George-Warren, in two terrific books: Shake, Rattle & Roll and Honky-Tonk Heroes and Hillbilly Angels.
Both books are highly recommended—Laura’s paintings capture, in their forceful colors, deep-rooted innocence, and devil-may-care whimsy, much of the essential mystery that makes early rock and country music so powerful; and if you hie yourself to the Mystery Spot, Laura will autograph each book personally for you.We recommend you check out Laura Levine's website and support not simply musical fiction but also musical art.
