March 20, 2007

Review of The Berlin Blues

Commercial exploitation rides herd in 'Berlin Blues'The way of the Ojibway detours into German theme-park territory in "The Berlin Blues," part of the Native Voices at the Autry series at Autry National Center. Drew Hayden Taylor's wacky slap at globalization is nothing if not good-natured in its broadly resolute shenanigans.

Intended as comic cautionary about commercial exploitation of indigenous cultures, "The Berlin Blues" draws its riffs with a blunt-tipped felt marker. Welcome to Otter Lake, home to an Ojibway Reserve in Eastern Ontario, where expert blues guitarist Bernie Pearl supplies atmosphere at one side of the stage.

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