Mulebone
The Ear Inn326 Spring Street, New York 10013
Mulebone brings its two-person traditional-blues setup to The Ear Inn for a late set. The duo pairs New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Hugh Pool on lead vocals, National Steel, electric, cigar-box and acoustic guitars, harmonica and boot-board with John Ragusa on harmony vocals and a striking range of wind and mouth-played instruments: flutes, fifes, tin whistles, cornet, conch shell and Jew's harp among them. Their approach leaves room for risk and quick turns, with a dense mesh of rhythm, texture and groove built by two players.
Mulebone is the collaboration of Pool and virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Ragusa. Pool's singing and guitar work form the group's blues foundation, while Ragusa expands the sound with instruments drawn from across folk and brass traditions. Don Wilcox, a W.C. Handy-winning author, wrote that Mulebone “takes old blues and folk music into space as well as anyone since Led Zeppelin covered Sonny Boy Williamson.” The description fits a band whose material begins in traditional blues but refuses a museum-piece treatment, putting the emphasis on technique, invention and the interplay between Pool's lead and Ragusa's harmonies.
The Ear Inn offers a unique evening where live music fills a room that feels like stepping into a storied Lower Manhattan bar with a rich past. The space features a bar and a dinner menu, inviting guests to enjoy food and drinks while listening. Shows often run late into the night, with sets starting around 11 PM and continuing until 2 AM, creating a relaxed yet focused listening environment where the music takes center attention. The venue hosts a range of artists, from roots blues to jazz, with performances that feel personal and engaging, drawing you close to the musicians. The room’s walls and layout reflect its long history, making it a place where the past and present of New York’s music scene meet. Expect an evening of attentive listening, good company, and a well-curated musical experience.