Multimedia presentation by Annie O'Neill
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Blues musicians Paul Rishell and Annie Raines were the conduit for good vibrations last Sunday during an intimate performance at a house concert in the East End of Pitsburgh.

Their audience of 30 people was in sharp contrast to the previous night, when they played at the Carnegie Lecture Hall before several hundred fans. Both concerts were sponsored by Calliope, the Pittsburgh folk music society. Sunday's performance was at the Shadyside home of Phil and Slu Smith.

In the Smith's living room, Calliope board president Ray Werner said the evening wouldn't include passing a hat for contributions. Instead, he said the artists were looking to "pass the vibe" of the folk and roots music the organization seeks to preserve.

For an hour, the Boston-area musicians entertained and educated the group about pre-war acoustic blues music -- she with her harmonicas and mandolin, and he with a steel guitar.

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Pictures and more audio from the concert may be found in the Feb. 27, 2006 daily photo journal.