Jazzfest starts in less than two weeks, but there are some fine events taking place in the Northeast to help us get in shape (musically that is). Last night we were treated to a smokin' zydeco show by JJ Callier and the Zydeco Knockouts, at the German Club in Pawtucket. This was my first time seeing them and I was impressed by the way he alternated between different styles of zydeco and more, deftly switching between three accordions (single row, triple, and full-size piano key). The rubboard player and drummer kept a great groove going, reminding me a little of Beau Jocque on some songs ... heard later that the drummer used to play with Beau. Then the bass player (a Broussard) took a turn on accordion and he kicked it up even more. The dance floor was hopping all night.
Next Thursday 4/17, Marcia Ball will be at the Narrows Center for the Arts, and Saturday 4/19 CJ Chenier returns to the German Club.
After the fest there is a month long run of festivals featuring Lousiana Music:
The Bayou and Boogie Fest by Sals Productions on Memorial Day weekend brings a couple of Louisiana zydeco bands back to RI: Curley Taylor, Leroy Thomas , plus Dennis Stroughmatt, and local favorites Magnolia and Li'l Anne.
Later that week, Bonerama and Tab Benoit play at Chan's in Woonsocket, just before appearing at Mike Arnone's Crawfish Fest in NJ, 5/30 - 6/1, which again features a stellar jazz-fest like lineup, including Alan Toussaint, Rosie Ledet, Little Freddy King, the Radiators, and so much more. Check it out at http://www.crawfishfest.com/
The following weekend 6/5 - 6/8 is the Blast from the Bayou at Strawberry park, featuring Beausoleil, Steve Riley, Geno Delafose (to name just a few) , followed by the Cajun / Zydeco fest at Sunrise resort in Moodus CT. with its annual visits from Brian Jack, Dora and the zydeco Bad Boys, Pine Leaf boys and more.
If you're a fan of Louisiana music but favor more of the New Orleans styles, the Radiators and Henry Butler will be at the Narrows around that time too..... as well as lots of other excellent shows. There may be some I've left out, but I am not trying to give a comprehensive listing here- I am just amazed at the wealth of Lousiana music that will seemingly be following us up north after Jazz Fest. This may make it a little easier to leave the promised land of New Orleans and head home to New England, knowing that we will still be dancing and grooving our way into summer with some of our favorite bands. And that is just in June!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
On Line Raffle to Benefit New Orleans Music
New Orleans Jazzfest is only about a month away and I CAN'T WAIT! A highlight of my trip to Jazzfest for the past several years has been festing and and partying with other Jazzfest fanatics from all over the US, Canada and overseas that I've met through the Jazzfest message board. This forum is a great way to keep up with all the news and tips on stuff to do in New Orleans before, during and after Jazzfest. Due to the somewhat addictive nature of the board, and the fact that topics are called "threads", those of us who read and post there have come to be called Threadheads.
In 2008, for the third year in a row, some of the Threadheads have organized an online raffle to benefit New Orleans Musicians Clinic, which provides access to health and social welfare services for the local music community. A new beneficiary this year is a charity called Fest4Kids, which partners with Silence is Violence in a program to give New Orleans youth an opportunity to learn and play music, mentored by some of the talented local musicians, and to send kids to fest that might not otherwise be able to afford it.
There are over 100 items being raffled off this year, in so many categories - collectibles, music, art, travel and more. The way the raffle works, is you buy tickets for specific items on the website, threadheadraffle.org using Paypal. You can buy several tickets for one item, or one ticket for each of several items. Some of the prizes are for use in New Orleans, like tickets to night shows and restaurant certificates, but there are lots of other fun items that can be enjoyed anywhere, like t-shirts, posters, one-of-a-kind hand made artwork, jewelry, wine, and so much more. In the Travel category, there is a trip to Disney World being offered, as well as a weekend in New Orleans. And in the category of "Other", there's even an animatronic parrot - Squawkers McCaw - who loves to go to festivals! 
The Threadhead Raffle will be held on 4/28, the Monday between Jazzfest weekends in New Orleans, but you need not be present to win. Prizes not picked up in New Orleans will be shipped to the winner, who will be notified by email. A list of the winners will also be posted on the messageboard. You can read more about the Threadheads, the raffle, and other related projects here. But to jump in and buy some tickets for any of these fun items, please click the link below:
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Mardi Gras - RI Style
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A fine time was had by all last night at the RI Mardi Gras Ball (yeah, I know Mardi Gras was a few weeks ago, but it's RI and we do it our way)
The Mardi Gras Ball was like a really great night in the dance tent at Rhythm and Roots, only with a much more spacious and comfortable dance floor. The Hot Tamale Brass band kicked things off, playing for early arrivals, and also between sets, during the costume parade to make it extra festive. The Red Stick Ramblers were joined by Jesse Lege on accordion, then Steve Riley and the Mamou playboys took the stage. What made it seem more like the festival was the jam at the end of the set, when Tara Nevins of Donna the Buffalo joined them on rubboard, plus Kevin Wimmer of the Red Stick Ramblers also returned to the stage, with Brad Frank on drums, for an extended "Oh Mam" jam then a bluesy "All Night Long".
Then Tara and Kevin also played with Keith Frank. This is like the half way point between the last Rhythm and and Roots and the next one, so it is a good opportunity to reunite with many of our festival-loving friends, looking forward to another season of festive living.
Here is some video of the costume parade - lots of good ones, including some Roman soldiers, pirates, Marie Antoinette, and a jambalaya pot. The grand prize winners were a pair of colorful Mardi Gras Peacocks. I think one of the prizes this year was a tattoo or body piercing - glad I didn't go nuts putting together a costume for this one! My favorite was a gent dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, who can be seen dancing around. He didn't win, but I think he should have won something for most gutsy.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Jammin' at Joe Val
The Joe Val Bluegrass festival is held at a 6-story Sheraton hotel that resembles a castle.
Upon entering this bluegrass kingdom, you are in for an experience that may at first seem more like a conference or convention than a festival because of its indoor setting, but as soon as you arrive, you realize this is no ordinary hotel experience. The entire hotel is filled with bluegrass musicians and fans, and there is usually a jam or two taking place right in the main lobby.
When one thinks of elevator music, it usually brings to mind some bland, boring background music meant to relax, but invariably having the opposite effect (at least to me). But at the festival this past weekend in Framingham, MA , the term "elevator music" took on a whole new meaning. As you ride the elevator between floors, you can hear the sounds of banjos and mandolins getting closer and closer and then surprise! The doors slide open to a pickin' party. Don't care for that rendition of "Old Home Place"? Step back in, go up or down a floor and find another group playing "Foggy Mountain Breakdown". This is what turns a 3-day concert into a real bluegrass festival, since bluegrass is a type of music where a high percentage of the audience are musicians themselves. You can just travel between floors listening to or taking part in endless jams all weekend.
Of course, these spontaneous jams are just one part of the 3 day event, the main focus of which is to present high quality bluegrass music from a wealth of national and regional bands. This year's festival seemed to be skewed more to the traditional side of bluegrass. On Friday night, Miller's Crossing, from NY, sang about a Cabin in the Pines and other such classic bluegrass subjects, and Mike Cleveland's aptly named band Flamekeeper closed out the night with their hard-driving music to a very enthusiastic crowd. Even though that was his only official set on the main stage, he joined several others the next day. It is such a joy to watch Michael play fiddle. After that I was in no mood to settle in for the night so I went wandering the halls in search of more music, and it was easy to find. Just step into aforementioned elevator, press the button and see what happens.
The next day, after a visit to the fitness center, I decided to try a yodeling workshop, and apparently I wasn't the only one intrigued by this, as it was standing room only in one of the conference rooms on the lower level. Have you ever heard of harmony yodeling? I wasn't sure I had, but it sounded very nice when Alan Kaufman and his partner demonstrated it, and all of us weekend cowpokes were eager to try it as well. Yodel-lay-ee-hoo!
After that I went to hear Frank Wakefield Band upstairs in the main room - he has a unique style, and is quite entertaining to watch, impishly playing his mandolin in his band-mates' ears while they are trying to take a break. He seemed to be having a great time up there, but I was pretty far back during that set, and got to appreciate his antics from a closer angle at a workshop later on. I also went downstairs to the vendor's area to hear some bands on the showcase stage. The whole lower level of the hotel has been renovated, so it is less maze-like and more open, so it was easier to listen to the bands on the showcase stage. Representatives from Grey Fox bluegrass festival had a table set up there, with pictures and info on the new site for that festival, and most people stopping by seemed receptive to and excited about the new digs in Greene County, NY.
My favorite band on Saturday was the Steeldrivers, a band with a traditional sort of name, but one of the less "bluegrassy" sounds, even though the instrumentation was traditional string band. The guitarist/lead vocalist had a bluesy, outlaw-country style, and harmonized beautifully with the female fiddle player. Looking forward to seeing them at other festivals this summer.
Audie Blaylock and Redline, then the Steep Canyon Rangers, got things back on the hard-driving bluegrass track. Veterans Seldom Scene closed out the night on the main stage. I enjoyed another night of jam-hopping, though I was not inspired to join in with my bluegrass accordion, since some of my usual cohorts were missing. One sign of the festival's success is that the hotel sells out so quickly, months in advance, so not everyone that would like to attend can make it. Sure there are other hotels in the area, but if you want to participate in the after hours jams, it is best to stay on site.
Sunday was a mad scramble to get everything packed up and ready to go -then downstairs for more music. My favorite band on Sunday was a family group called the Abrams Brothers, 14 and 16 year old brothers from Canada, with a cousin on bass and father on guitar, plus Bob Burtch on Mandolin and Brandon Green on banjo. They were amazing instrumentalists and did a varied set of bluegrass, gospel, progressive instrumentals, and some covers of Arlo Guthrie and Bob Dylan songs from their upoming recording.
Reminiscent of the time the Grascals filled in for someone due to illness a few years ago, the
surprise set of the afternoon was a last minute substitution. The band Dailey and Vincent were snowed in somewhere and couldn't make it, so James King and Audie Blaylock's bands joined forces for a rousing set of double-barreled bluegrass in the style of Jimmy Martin, the Stanley Brothers, and other classic material. It was a great unplanned set. Here's a little snippet of them doing "How Mountain Girls can Love":
Blue Highway wound things up for the weekend, with their dobro accented bluegrass and thoughtful country songwriting. And speaking of Stanley Bros, they augmented their set with some very funny Ralph Stanlely impressions, including a mock rendition of Led Zeppelin's Black Dog. As usual the weekend went by much too fast, so we're Goin' Down the Road feelin' Bad, like this guy:
But thanks to the magic of digital photography and youtube we can already start reliving it! Some of my other photos of the 2008 Joe Val festival can be viewed here. And it won't be long now til festival season is in full swing. Next weekend there is more festive living on tap at the RI Mardi Gras Ball. See, winter's not so bad!
Upon entering this bluegrass kingdom, you are in for an experience that may at first seem more like a conference or convention than a festival because of its indoor setting, but as soon as you arrive, you realize this is no ordinary hotel experience. The entire hotel is filled with bluegrass musicians and fans, and there is usually a jam or two taking place right in the main lobby.
When one thinks of elevator music, it usually brings to mind some bland, boring background music meant to relax, but invariably having the opposite effect (at least to me). But at the festival this past weekend in Framingham, MA , the term "elevator music" took on a whole new meaning. As you ride the elevator between floors, you can hear the sounds of banjos and mandolins getting closer and closer and then surprise! The doors slide open to a pickin' party. Don't care for that rendition of "Old Home Place"? Step back in, go up or down a floor and find another group playing "Foggy Mountain Breakdown". This is what turns a 3-day concert into a real bluegrass festival, since bluegrass is a type of music where a high percentage of the audience are musicians themselves. You can just travel between floors listening to or taking part in endless jams all weekend.Of course, these spontaneous jams are just one part of the 3 day event, the main focus of which is to present high quality bluegrass music from a wealth of national and regional bands. This year's festival seemed to be skewed more to the traditional side of bluegrass. On Friday night, Miller's Crossing, from NY, sang about a Cabin in the Pines and other such classic bluegrass subjects, and Mike Cleveland's aptly named band Flamekeeper closed out the night with their hard-driving music to a very enthusiastic crowd. Even though that was his only official set on the main stage, he joined several others the next day. It is such a joy to watch Michael play fiddle. After that I was in no mood to settle in for the night so I went wandering the halls in search of more music, and it was easy to find. Just step into aforementioned elevator, press the button and see what happens.
The next day, after a visit to the fitness center, I decided to try a yodeling workshop, and apparently I wasn't the only one intrigued by this, as it was standing room only in one of the conference rooms on the lower level. Have you ever heard of harmony yodeling? I wasn't sure I had, but it sounded very nice when Alan Kaufman and his partner demonstrated it, and all of us weekend cowpokes were eager to try it as well. Yodel-lay-ee-hoo!
After that I went to hear Frank Wakefield Band upstairs in the main room - he has a unique style, and is quite entertaining to watch, impishly playing his mandolin in his band-mates' ears while they are trying to take a break. He seemed to be having a great time up there, but I was pretty far back during that set, and got to appreciate his antics from a closer angle at a workshop later on. I also went downstairs to the vendor's area to hear some bands on the showcase stage. The whole lower level of the hotel has been renovated, so it is less maze-like and more open, so it was easier to listen to the bands on the showcase stage. Representatives from Grey Fox bluegrass festival had a table set up there, with pictures and info on the new site for that festival, and most people stopping by seemed receptive to and excited about the new digs in Greene County, NY.
My favorite band on Saturday was the Steeldrivers, a band with a traditional sort of name, but one of the less "bluegrassy" sounds, even though the instrumentation was traditional string band. The guitarist/lead vocalist had a bluesy, outlaw-country style, and harmonized beautifully with the female fiddle player. Looking forward to seeing them at other festivals this summer.
 |  |
| Steeldrivers | Steep Canyon Rangers |
Audie Blaylock and Redline, then the Steep Canyon Rangers, got things back on the hard-driving bluegrass track. Veterans Seldom Scene closed out the night on the main stage. I enjoyed another night of jam-hopping, though I was not inspired to join in with my bluegrass accordion, since some of my usual cohorts were missing. One sign of the festival's success is that the hotel sells out so quickly, months in advance, so not everyone that would like to attend can make it. Sure there are other hotels in the area, but if you want to participate in the after hours jams, it is best to stay on site.
Sunday was a mad scramble to get everything packed up and ready to go -then downstairs for more music. My favorite band on Sunday was a family group called the Abrams Brothers, 14 and 16 year old brothers from Canada, with a cousin on bass and father on guitar, plus Bob Burtch on Mandolin and Brandon Green on banjo. They were amazing instrumentalists and did a varied set of bluegrass, gospel, progressive instrumentals, and some covers of Arlo Guthrie and Bob Dylan songs from their upoming recording.
Reminiscent of the time the Grascals filled in for someone due to illness a few years ago, the
surprise set of the afternoon was a last minute substitution. The band Dailey and Vincent were snowed in somewhere and couldn't make it, so James King and Audie Blaylock's bands joined forces for a rousing set of double-barreled bluegrass in the style of Jimmy Martin, the Stanley Brothers, and other classic material. It was a great unplanned set. Here's a little snippet of them doing "How Mountain Girls can Love":
Blue Highway wound things up for the weekend, with their dobro accented bluegrass and thoughtful country songwriting. And speaking of Stanley Bros, they augmented their set with some very funny Ralph Stanlely impressions, including a mock rendition of Led Zeppelin's Black Dog. As usual the weekend went by much too fast, so we're Goin' Down the Road feelin' Bad, like this guy:
But thanks to the magic of digital photography and youtube we can already start reliving it! Some of my other photos of the 2008 Joe Val festival can be viewed here. And it won't be long now til festival season is in full swing. Next weekend there is more festive living on tap at the RI Mardi Gras Ball. See, winter's not so bad!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Grey Fox finds a Home
Uncertainty has been in the air the past few months, ever since the news came out in December that the Rothvoss Farm in Ancramdale, NY, was to be sold. Where would our beloved Greyfox Bluegrass festival, which has taken place at that same location every July for the past 30+ years, be moved to? After much rumor and speculation, an official announcement was made today on the Greyfox website, naming Walsh Farm in nearby Greene County, NY as the successor to the Rothvoss Farm. This should ease any doubts in the minds of some potential festival goers who may have been on the fence about making plans without knowing where we would end up. The new location, with its camping described as being "on the level" sounds promising. While I will miss the beautiful sunsets and overall atmosphere of the old location, I will not miss many of the challenges of festing on a hillside - walking on a slant all weekend, constantly trying to keep things in camp from rolling away, digging the tires in, worrying about people parking their cars the wrong way, getting stuck up top or down below when the road is closed due to r**n. It is still in the mountains of upstate NY, in the Hudson Valley, an area known for its natural beauty and laid back atmosphere - home to Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. An article in a local newspaper, the Independent, says it is "right off the Thruway (I-87), ... and also comes with a stream for wading", which will be great for those hot July days. I am looking forward to finding out more about the new site in the coming months, and possibly at next weekend's Joe Val Festival, where there will undoubtedly be some more info to be shared. Move it on over!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
New Orleans Jazz Fest Schedule Releasead
The performer list for the 2008 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was released earlier this week. For Jazzfest enthusiasts, the release of the daily schedules, or "the Dailies", is like Christmas Morning - the only day greeted with more anticipation is the release of the "Cubes", which list in grid format who is playing when on each of the 11 stages. Because we've had our fest plans set for some months now (after coming across an unbeatable hotel deal in the fall) we are already set for first weekend and a few days after, so the schedule doesn't really factor into our plans. This year's "Big Name Acts" or BNA's include Robert Plant & Alison Krause, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Buffet, Tim McGraw, Santana, Steel Pulse, Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint, Randy Newman and O.A.R. (apparently a Big Name but unknown to me). Those are some of the names I will likely toss around when people unfamiliar with New Orleans ask me who's playing the fest this year, and while I plan to check out some of them, I am most excited about just being there and taking in the full atmosphere, racing from stage to stage in an attempt to experience as much as possible, making new musical discoveries, enjoying old favorites, (especially the only-in-New Orleans bands that don't come up this way too often), stopping to sample delectable food offerings, parade a little bit, and chat with friends along the way. When I saw the schedule I simultaneously thought, "So glad we're going first weekend!", and "aww too bad we're not going second weekend." Especially now that they've added the second Thursday back, providing a seventh full day of festing, and the Neville brothers are scheduled to close out the fest in their first New Orleans appearance since 2005. Unless you plan to stay for 2 weeks, there's no way around it, whichever weekend you pick you're bound to miss something, but must console yourself with the thought of all the great music, food and friends you will get to experience- any time at Jazzfest is better than none at all. Plus, even when you are at the fest, you will miss something no matter what. Since I've had a little time to study the list, here's a short list of who I plan to see at this year's fest:
"BNA's":
Robert Plant & Alison Krause - I've always liked Led Zeppelin, have seen Robert Plant once solo, and have followed the music of Alison Krause and Union Station since she first starting appearing at the RI Cajun & Bluegrass festival when she was about 15 years old. People have been buzzing about a Jazzfest appearance by these two ever since the duet album, produced by T. Bone Burnett, came out last year. I have listened to it, and while much of it sounds dreamy and slow (not usually something I usually look forward to at a Jazzfest performance), it will be interesting to see these two together, plus maybe T Bone and other guests will join them.
Billy Joel - I have not always been a Billy Joel fan, (too "top 40" for me...) but have grown to appreciate him more in recent years. He is one of those artists who has an incredible catalog of hits, and it is sure to be a performance with a lot of audience participation and familiarity. Because it will be at the New Orleans Jazzfest, and he is the Piano Man, I am hoping he includes some guest appearances by other New Orleans piano greats, like Dr. John or Allen Toussaint.
I am most looking forward to the following acts, some of which are only-at-fest type of collaborations: Leo Nocentelli’s “Rare Gathering” feat. Bernie Worrell, Doug Wimbish & Will Calhoun; Doyle Bramhall with C.C. Adcock & the Lafayette Marquis; Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars; Ponderossa Stomp Revue feat. Tammy Lynn, Archie Bell, Roy Head, and Dennis Binder, Big Jay McNeely, Warren Storm w/ Willie Tee & the Cypress Band; Twangorama
And a whole host of real New Orleans bands that I know and love- Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Davell Crawford, Walter Wolfman Washington, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Trombone Shorty, and Shamarr Allen, who sings in Meet me on Frenchmen Street, "they got jazz bands and trad bands, funk bands, and brass bands - whatever your heart desires", Mardi Gras Indians and others we don't usually get to enjoy so often around these parts - too many to list here. Every time I look at this list, I see more to love, and just wait 'til the grids come out! (I'm trying not to look at second weekend, but you can...) A couple more months to make elaborate plans, which usually get laid to waste as soon as we walk through the gates and decide to follow a parade instead of camping out at the big stage- that's the way it goes at Jazzfest. The common question is "who did you miss to see who you saw?" So I don't feel too bad about being there for only one weekend, I can only be at one place at any one time anyway!
"BNA's":
Robert Plant & Alison Krause - I've always liked Led Zeppelin, have seen Robert Plant once solo, and have followed the music of Alison Krause and Union Station since she first starting appearing at the RI Cajun & Bluegrass festival when she was about 15 years old. People have been buzzing about a Jazzfest appearance by these two ever since the duet album, produced by T. Bone Burnett, came out last year. I have listened to it, and while much of it sounds dreamy and slow (not usually something I usually look forward to at a Jazzfest performance), it will be interesting to see these two together, plus maybe T Bone and other guests will join them.
Billy Joel - I have not always been a Billy Joel fan, (too "top 40" for me...) but have grown to appreciate him more in recent years. He is one of those artists who has an incredible catalog of hits, and it is sure to be a performance with a lot of audience participation and familiarity. Because it will be at the New Orleans Jazzfest, and he is the Piano Man, I am hoping he includes some guest appearances by other New Orleans piano greats, like Dr. John or Allen Toussaint.
I am most looking forward to the following acts, some of which are only-at-fest type of collaborations: Leo Nocentelli’s “Rare Gathering” feat. Bernie Worrell, Doug Wimbish & Will Calhoun; Doyle Bramhall with C.C. Adcock & the Lafayette Marquis; Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars; Ponderossa Stomp Revue feat. Tammy Lynn, Archie Bell, Roy Head, and Dennis Binder, Big Jay McNeely, Warren Storm w/ Willie Tee & the Cypress Band; Twangorama
And a whole host of real New Orleans bands that I know and love- Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Davell Crawford, Walter Wolfman Washington, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Trombone Shorty, and Shamarr Allen, who sings in Meet me on Frenchmen Street, "they got jazz bands and trad bands, funk bands, and brass bands - whatever your heart desires", Mardi Gras Indians and others we don't usually get to enjoy so often around these parts - too many to list here. Every time I look at this list, I see more to love, and just wait 'til the grids come out! (I'm trying not to look at second weekend, but you can...) A couple more months to make elaborate plans, which usually get laid to waste as soon as we walk through the gates and decide to follow a parade instead of camping out at the big stage- that's the way it goes at Jazzfest. The common question is "who did you miss to see who you saw?" So I don't feel too bad about being there for only one weekend, I can only be at one place at any one time anyway!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
First Night with Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Cha's
First Night Boston is an arts celebration that takes place in many different venues around the city. I have been to similar events in Providence and Newport, but this was my first visit to the original one, in Boston. It is rather spread out, but there are clusters of venues, like churches and hotels. What attracted me to this year's celebration was Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Cha's, but since this is a festival of many different kinds of arts we decided to sample a few other acts to round out the night. One was Birdsongs of the Mesozoic with baritone Oral Moses. They did some avant garde spirituals in a church, and the vocals /arrangements were interesting, but it was a little too serious for my mood. We only stayed for a few, then out to the parade (which looks better on TV than in real life, as it is difficult to get a good viewing spot). But it was fun to be out amongst all the revelers, who were getting ready for the early fireworks on Boston Common. Nathan was scheduled to start the first of 3 sets at 8pm, and shortly before that, the line was snaking all down the block, so we decided to check out some of Valerie Smith, a singer who tries to recreate Nina Simone. It was sweltering in the hotel conference room where she was performing, and she had to keep wiping sweat off her face that was getting in her eyes. She was a good, soulful singer, but not very convincing when she had to read the words of a Bessie Smith song. Out of there and across the street, they were already lined up for Nathan's 2nd set. It was in a huge cavernous space that used to be an armory. Apparently many of the people from the first set just filed right out and got in line for set #2. (They do that at First Night to give everyone a chance to get in.) At first,the audience was tentative, and most people were seated - all the chairs were taken and some were sitting on the floor. But with each song more and more people got up to dance. It's always so much fun to see people's reaction to zydeco music, when they aren't really familiar with it. I kind of take it for granted, but it is a new discovery for many people, especially in this part of the country. The sound was pretty bad in the drafty, high ceilinged armory. But Nathan's spirit was unstoppable, and the band's music is so infectious it is hard to sit still. 
I was interested in seeing a piano player back at the church a few blocks away, but we knew Nathan was a good bet so we went outside a few minutes before it ended to get back in line for the 3rd set. At the time there was no one else lined up so it felt kind of foolish but as soon as the set ended, more and more people who had been inside went out and re-joined the line. This made it look very desirable to passersby, so even more were attracted. The break was only about 10 minutes and the 2nd time in we got a better seat, which I wasn't in for very long anyway. This time even more people were dancing - some as couples, and others more free spirited moving and shaking, just reacting to the music more than trying to do the prescribed dance steps. As Nathan said towards the end, "If you don't shake a leg at a Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Cha's show, call the undertaker, 'cause you must be dead!" And as he so often says in his shows, when he gets a warm reception, "I'm from Louisiana, but I feel like I'm home". When there's a first-rate zydeco band from Louisiana at a First Night celebration, I feel like I'm home too. I mean, puppet shows and poets are ok, but when it comes to celebrations, there's nothing more upbeat than some good down-home zydeco, and what better way to welcome in the New Year.
Here's a little video plus a link to some photos of the evening's festivities.
Happy 2008 and here's to another year of festive living!
I was interested in seeing a piano player back at the church a few blocks away, but we knew Nathan was a good bet so we went outside a few minutes before it ended to get back in line for the 3rd set. At the time there was no one else lined up so it felt kind of foolish but as soon as the set ended, more and more people who had been inside went out and re-joined the line. This made it look very desirable to passersby, so even more were attracted. The break was only about 10 minutes and the 2nd time in we got a better seat, which I wasn't in for very long anyway. This time even more people were dancing - some as couples, and others more free spirited moving and shaking, just reacting to the music more than trying to do the prescribed dance steps. As Nathan said towards the end, "If you don't shake a leg at a Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Cha's show, call the undertaker, 'cause you must be dead!" And as he so often says in his shows, when he gets a warm reception, "I'm from Louisiana, but I feel like I'm home". When there's a first-rate zydeco band from Louisiana at a First Night celebration, I feel like I'm home too. I mean, puppet shows and poets are ok, but when it comes to celebrations, there's nothing more upbeat than some good down-home zydeco, and what better way to welcome in the New Year.Here's a little video plus a link to some photos of the evening's festivities.
Happy 2008 and here's to another year of festive living!
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