My lady and I took a trip down to NOLA for Jazz Fest 2011. This was my third time down to New Orleans in a couple years. We were luck enough to visit for an extended stay with Hotels & Highways. Its become one of few cities that I could really see myself living in.
As always, one of the first stops is Cafe Du Monde for Beignets and Coffee. When I finished, I looked like I'd been to an all-night coke party. Powdered sugar was everywhere, but much like all-night coke parties, I was feeling quite pleased with myself.
We went straight from there to the open market where I heard an incredible band playing in an outdoor cafe. The group included no member younger than fifty and without any apparent strain or effort they still supplied more soul to Randy Newman's song Louisiana 1927 than I've ever heard before. I shouldn't have been surprised in NOLA, but it took me off guard to hear such sweet sounds from the lunch hour cover band.
Even after Mint Juleps, Abita Beers and wonderful food, nothing could get that song out of my head so I decided that night to learn the song the second I got home. We played it on Saturday night (5/14/11) at Rockwood Music Hall and then Matt Aronoff and I decided to record a little video for y'all.
I would be a fool not to pass along some of my faves from Jazz Fest. In the Marginy we caught a very late night set from Eric Lindell at a great bar called DBA. I loved his playing voice and stage presence, but the rhythm section blew me away. The drummer had such a heavy foot (in a good way) and he locked in so well with the bass player that you would think they were twins.
At the fest itself, we caught sets from Ellis Marsalis, Rebirth Brass Band, Michael Franti and many more. Sadly, Kid Rock (who I've heard puts on a good show, but JAZZ FEST???) was making a ton of noise on the main stage and was killing a little of the Big Easy mood. The last two acts we watched were Robert Randolph and the Neville Bros.
I have always wanted to see Robert Randolph. My old band PTT used to listen to his live CD in the van all the time. Every picture I ever saw, he had a huge smile on his face, and I was happy to walk away with my expectations met. He played an amazing version of Purple Haze with Sonny Landreth . My mind was blown! The day closed out with Aaron Neville and his brothers singing Sam Cooke's, "A Change is Gonna Come." Couldn't of asked for anything more touching to end our day. Not that I'm an old geezer, but it blows me away that I can find the performance on youtube.
Finally, I must mention the biggest surprise of Jazz Fest. The food! This is real N'Awlins food lined up right next to each other. If just the food booth went on tour, I would attend every summer in New York. Catfish Almondine!!!!!!
I'm hoping to be adding some more of these videos and blogs to the page. Hopefully, future videos will be of better quality than this one, but you gotta start somewhere. As we said in the video, if you have a state themed cover or any request, just send it my way. patrickthomasmusic@gmail.com
If you just want to download the mp3, feel free to click here. Louisiana 1927 (I hope to get this link working asap!!! In the meantime, email me and I'll email you the mp3. Deal?)
