Sunday, May 14, 2006
Back From Disney
We got back last night around nine. It was a ten hour trip. Today was a day of trying to get caught up on things, like getting food back in the house and picking up the Wonder Dog. Don't worry, I'm not going to give you a blow by blow of the trip. I'll just hit some high points and show a lot of pics. I took a lot of pics. I took a lot of pics with the characters. It became something of a mission, for us to see how many characters we could find and get our pictures with. I know, such behavior from grown men...well, I've never claimed to be too grown. So be prepared to see me with a lot of Disney characters over the next few days as I get the pictures downloaded from my camera.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Jazz Fest 2006 Day Four
Wow, a whole week has gone by and it's time for the final weekend of Jazz Fest. If this post isn't that long or in depth as some of the previous ones I apologize, but it's late and I'm tired and I still have to get things ready for my trip to Disney that I leave for in two days. Am I crazy or what?
Hopefully I'll make up for any shortage in words with pictures.
First up was the Pine Leaf Boys. They are a local group from Lafayette. They sing traditional cajun music. These guys were a bunch of college kids just a year ago. Now they're a really good sounding musical group. Nothing like that ever happened to me when I was in college.
Next up was Kim Carson. She's another local singer that's been around forever. She reminds me a little of Lucinda Williams.
After Kim I tried to make my way back to the Southern Comfort stage where Larry already was. I got into the crowd, even close enough to see Larry and our chairs by the front of the stage but the crowd was so packed I gave up. Marcia Ball was coming on so I figured I'd just stand where I was and watch the show.
And what a show! After Springsteen I think this was my favorite show of the Fest so far. She did a new song called "Bucktown" about the area in Kenner called Bucktown and of course Katrina. She also did a version of Randy Newman's Louisiana 1927 that was killer. This was an awesome show.
Marva Wright was on after Marcia. Marva is a local blues singer. She was visibly moved by the crowd, she came out, grabbed her mike and started crying. She wiped away the tears and started to sing. Wow, can this woman sing! She is a real blues singer.
After Marve was Tab Benoit, another local blues singer. Another good show.
The final act was KoKo Taylor, a legendary blues singer. She got her start from Willie Dixon back in the 40s. She only did an hour show, even that got to her, she had to sit down after she would sing a few lyrics and get her breath back. But she was a trooper.
All in all another great day of Jazz Fest and a great start to the final weekend. The weather again was great, overcast so the sun did not come out and bake us and the rain held off.
Hopefully I'll make up for any shortage in words with pictures.
First up was the Pine Leaf Boys. They are a local group from Lafayette. They sing traditional cajun music. These guys were a bunch of college kids just a year ago. Now they're a really good sounding musical group. Nothing like that ever happened to me when I was in college.
Next up was Kim Carson. She's another local singer that's been around forever. She reminds me a little of Lucinda Williams.
After Kim I tried to make my way back to the Southern Comfort stage where Larry already was. I got into the crowd, even close enough to see Larry and our chairs by the front of the stage but the crowd was so packed I gave up. Marcia Ball was coming on so I figured I'd just stand where I was and watch the show.
And what a show! After Springsteen I think this was my favorite show of the Fest so far. She did a new song called "Bucktown" about the area in Kenner called Bucktown and of course Katrina. She also did a version of Randy Newman's Louisiana 1927 that was killer. This was an awesome show.
Marva Wright was on after Marcia. Marva is a local blues singer. She was visibly moved by the crowd, she came out, grabbed her mike and started crying. She wiped away the tears and started to sing. Wow, can this woman sing! She is a real blues singer.
After Marve was Tab Benoit, another local blues singer. Another good show.
The final act was KoKo Taylor, a legendary blues singer. She got her start from Willie Dixon back in the 40s. She only did an hour show, even that got to her, she had to sit down after she would sing a few lyrics and get her breath back. But she was a trooper.
All in all another great day of Jazz Fest and a great start to the final weekend. The weather again was great, overcast so the sun did not come out and bake us and the rain held off.
Jazz Fest 2006 Day Three
Well, the end of this day was the Springsteen concert where I talk about in its own post. But the rest of this day was good too. I managed to sell my extra ticket so I started off happy.
The first act was John Mooney, a modern day blues singer. He was born in New Jersey but now lives in New Orleans.
After Mooney came Sonny Landreth. I saw Sonny last year at the Jazz Fest. Sonny is a master of the slide guitar.
And finally before the Springsteen show came Allen Toussiant and Elvis Costello. Allen performed a lot of his old hits and than brought Elvis out. They have a new cd coming out in June, The River In Reverse, and yes it is about Katrina and its aftermath. They did the title song and it was very good. Allen ended with a song, calling out to various aspects of New Orleans and its areas, saying we'll be back.
After this came Springsteen but I talk about him in another post.
The first act was John Mooney, a modern day blues singer. He was born in New Jersey but now lives in New Orleans.
After Mooney came Sonny Landreth. I saw Sonny last year at the Jazz Fest. Sonny is a master of the slide guitar.
And finally before the Springsteen show came Allen Toussiant and Elvis Costello. Allen performed a lot of his old hits and than brought Elvis out. They have a new cd coming out in June, The River In Reverse, and yes it is about Katrina and its aftermath. They did the title song and it was very good. Allen ended with a song, calling out to various aspects of New Orleans and its areas, saying we'll be back.
After this came Springsteen but I talk about him in another post.
Springsteen
It's been almost a week since the end of last week's Jazz Fest. I'm sure most of you have heard about Springsteen's appearance at the Fest. In Springsteen lore there are tales of his legendary concerts: the appearance at Bottom Line where Jan Landau came up with the future of rock and roll quote, his first London show, and others. These are the shows that his fans talk and write about, the ones that every Springsteen fan wishes he had been present at. Now you can add another one to that list.
I've seen Springsteen a few times over the years and he always gives a good concert. He puts on a good show, he knows how to play to the crowd. He doesn't stint on his time, he puts it all out there for his fans to see. But no show by Springsteen that I've seen comes close to this show. In fact I'm trying real hard to think of any show that I've seen that can compare to this one.
I talked in a previous post about the importance of this Jazz Fest to the city of New Orleans. In this one concert Springsteen shows he understands what is important and delivers on it. I'm not a religious person and I have never gotten what such a person gets from going to church, until this show. This might be the closest I have come to finding my religion. I've always thought music was the closest I've come to following a religion and today I was in church.
Springsteen opened with a rocking version of "Mary, Don't You Weep" and continued with his versions of the songs off his newest cd "The Seeger Sessions." He added "What's A Poor Man To Do", a song originally wrote in 1929 after the crash of the banks that eventually lead to the Depression. He kept the first verse, but wrote his own second and third verses to fit the destruction and aftermath of Katrina. And he dedicated it to President Bystander.
But the most moving moment came during his own song, "City in Ruins." This song started with him alone on his guitar. As he sang the lyrics it was obvious that this song could have been written for New Orleans after Katrina. And than when the band kicked in with the chorus of "Rise UP!" Hands went in the air, waving back and forth. But many of these hands kept returning to faces, to wipe away the tears. I don't know if I've ever been moved to tears at a concert, but I found myself wiping my own eyes.
Springsteen ended with his version of "When the Saints Come Marching Home." He sang it almost as a hymn. It was one of the most beautiful versions of the song I have ever heard.
This concert went from joy to despair, from laughter to tears. Springsteen made the truth of the importance of the Jazz Fest on this day.
I've seen Springsteen a few times over the years and he always gives a good concert. He puts on a good show, he knows how to play to the crowd. He doesn't stint on his time, he puts it all out there for his fans to see. But no show by Springsteen that I've seen comes close to this show. In fact I'm trying real hard to think of any show that I've seen that can compare to this one.
I talked in a previous post about the importance of this Jazz Fest to the city of New Orleans. In this one concert Springsteen shows he understands what is important and delivers on it. I'm not a religious person and I have never gotten what such a person gets from going to church, until this show. This might be the closest I have come to finding my religion. I've always thought music was the closest I've come to following a religion and today I was in church.
Springsteen opened with a rocking version of "Mary, Don't You Weep" and continued with his versions of the songs off his newest cd "The Seeger Sessions." He added "What's A Poor Man To Do", a song originally wrote in 1929 after the crash of the banks that eventually lead to the Depression. He kept the first verse, but wrote his own second and third verses to fit the destruction and aftermath of Katrina. And he dedicated it to President Bystander.
But the most moving moment came during his own song, "City in Ruins." This song started with him alone on his guitar. As he sang the lyrics it was obvious that this song could have been written for New Orleans after Katrina. And than when the band kicked in with the chorus of "Rise UP!" Hands went in the air, waving back and forth. But many of these hands kept returning to faces, to wipe away the tears. I don't know if I've ever been moved to tears at a concert, but I found myself wiping my own eyes.
Springsteen ended with his version of "When the Saints Come Marching Home." He sang it almost as a hymn. It was one of the most beautiful versions of the song I have ever heard.
This concert went from joy to despair, from laughter to tears. Springsteen made the truth of the importance of the Jazz Fest on this day.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
How Cool Is Jazz Fest?
This is the cubes for day three of Jazz Fest. Look at all the acts on there and that's just one day! Isn't Jazz Fest so cool?
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live
HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE©
Live Apr 2006 version
Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his face all bright
And he says "in a little while you'll be alright"
All he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a great big bill
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
"Me and my old school pals had some mighty high times down here
And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just ain't fair"
He took a look around, gave a little pep talk, said "I'm with you" then he took a little walk
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to Hell
Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells
Them who's got got out of town and them who ain't got left to drown
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
Go ahead!
Got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore
Yeah and I ain't got no home in this world no more
Gonna be a judgment that's a fact, a righteous train rollin' down this track
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally written by Blind Alfred Reed who recorded it on 04 Dec 1929 in New York City and released as RCA VICTOR Vi V-40236. It had Blind Alfred Reed on fiddle and vocals and his son, Arville Reed, on guitar. Check out Blind Alfred Reed's versio
Live Apr 2006 version
Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his face all bright
And he says "in a little while you'll be alright"
All he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a great big bill
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
"Me and my old school pals had some mighty high times down here
And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just ain't fair"
He took a look around, gave a little pep talk, said "I'm with you" then he took a little walk
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to Hell
Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells
Them who's got got out of town and them who ain't got left to drown
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
Go ahead!
Got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore
Yeah and I ain't got no home in this world no more
Gonna be a judgment that's a fact, a righteous train rollin' down this track
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally written by Blind Alfred Reed who recorded it on 04 Dec 1929 in New York City and released as RCA VICTOR Vi V-40236. It had Blind Alfred Reed on fiddle and vocals and his son, Arville Reed, on guitar. Check out Blind Alfred Reed's versio
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