At least so say the rabid and dedicated fans of the Felice Brothers, a band they follow everywhere, and which performs at the Mauch Chunk Opera House on June 17.

Quite the accolades for a group that got its start busking in New York City subway stations in 2006. OK, so they had my attention - after all, that sort of praise is usually uttered reverentially about groups like the Stones or Springsteen and the E-Street Band.

Maureen McGrath, one of the DJs at WXLV 90.3 at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Shnecksville, had often said that if we did happen to book the Felice Brothers, to please let her know, please please.

Then some neighbors said the same thing - both Dad and daughter. That told me something. Universal, timeless appeal. Main thing is, from the promoter's point of view, the band has fans that follow their shows and see them again and again.

During the research process, I saw quickly that every major magazine and daily had written some sort of review, with Esquire Magazine rating them one of the nine shows ya just gotta see.

So we were able to book them to the Mauch Chunk Opera House for Friday, June 17.

I can hear an obvious Dylan-and-The-Band Basement Tapes sound. You could reasonably compare their sound to Bruce Springsteen. But clearly this is a band doing its own unique thing. And doing it all-out.

So for the first time, I've reserved some seats up front for myself. Really gotta see this band.

Tickets available at the Mauch Chunk Opera House on 570-325-0249, their website and facebook page.