Songwriter and guitarist Paul Margolis and accordionist John Shock have been playing music together for almost 30 years now. Starting with Shock’s band Two Legs, then The Polkats, and now with The Stone Hill All-Stars, they have been at the helm of some of the best roots-rock bands in Baltimore. Their blend of cajun-flavored polka lies somewhere between Ry Cooder, Los Lobos, and The Pogues—plus polka. They swashbuckled through a dozen different kinds of traditional music all while retaining a distinct Baltimore flavor. The Stone Hill All-Stars, Margolis’ and Shock’s most recent band, is the most Baltimore Baltimore band I know of, and Margolis is without a doubt one of the city’s smartest songwriters, and probably the funniest. Think Mis Amigos Crujientes and order the taglierini al astice (lobster ragu).

This is what it's all about: great songs, inventive arrangements, and timeless kick-ass roots-rock by guys who can really play. I loved it. I'll bet Les Paul would have loved to sit in with the Stone Hill All-Stars. Tasty licks up the wazoo! Find out what these guys are smokin' and get some! --Greg Kihn KUFX-FM, San Jose, California