Tony Scherman awarded the Kropotkins' eponymous debut album a B+ grade, describing it as "funky and listenable." David Krasnow reviewed their May 2001 performance at
Joe's Pub favorably, writing that "This is reality music, man, and we need more of it.". writes "Named after the Russian anarchist prince
Peter Kropotkin, this New York City and Memphis-based sextet was created in 1994 by singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and neuroscientist
Dave Soldier along with adroit percussionist
Jonathan Kane after they were exposed to the homemade abandon of North Mississippi rhythm ‘n’ blues and fife and drum music. Soldier also acknowledges both
Bill Monroe (a bouncy vision of his instrumental gem “Stoney Lonesome” is here) and
Howlin’ Wolf as influences along with some unreleased hill country tapes recorded by folklorist
Alan Lomax and cassettes of
Junior Kimbrough,
R.L. Burnside and
Othar Turner that venerated journalist
Robert Palmer gave him." The New Yorker writes "The Kropotkins, a long-standing avant-blues group based in New York and Memphis, début new material for a forthcoming record called “Union Square.” The group’s musical passions encompass both classical icons like Charles Ives and bluesmen like Mississippi Fred McDowell, and this new record will continue in that catholic vein, featuring covers of Gershwin and Bill Monroe tunes."; ==Discography==