Offbeat Cover for December, 2005

December 2005 Contents

Cover Story

Katrina Blues

BackTalk

John Blancher Rocks Back

Alt NO

Enjoying Depression

Bayou Boogie

The Little Easy

Reviews

Blind Arvella Gray, The Singing Drifter (Conuroo Records)

Bob French’s Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, Live at New Orleans Jazz Fest 2004 (Tuxedo Records)

Bobby Purify, Better To Have It (Proper American)

Casey Hayes, The Iron Year (Perennial Records)

Charivari, A Trip to the Holiday Lounge (Rounder Records)

Creole Zydeco Farmers, My Big Foot Woman (Sound of New Orleans)

David Fontenot & Cajun Express, La Couleur de Notre Song (Acadiana Records)

Davis Rogan, The Once and Future DJ (Independent)

Delbert McClinton, Cost of Living (New West Records)

Dizzy Gillespie/Charlie Parker, Town Hall, New York City, June 22 1945 (Uptown Records)

Frederick Sheppard, Blessed (Independent)

Jesse Moore, More Than Life Itself (Heartfelt Music)

Jive Train, Jonesin’ (Independent)

Kenny Neal, A Tribute to Slim Harpo and Raful Neal (True Life Entertainment)

Kevin Danzig, Kevin Danzig (KEDA Records)

Lafayette Rhythm Devils, Runnin’ (Z’Affaire Records)

Magic Slim & the Teardrops, Anything Can Happen (Blind Pig)

Mari Watanabe, Old Friends (Independent)

Maria Muldaur, Sweet Lovin’ Of Soul (Stony Plain Music)

Mingus Big Band, I Am Three (Confluences/Sunnyside)

Ronnie Mathews and Throwdown, Just Me and the Bottle (Acadiana Records)

Seth Guidry & Louisiana Nights, Les Larmes Dans Tes Yeux-The Tears in Your Eyes (Acadiana Records)

Smoky Greenwell, Smokin’ Classics (Greenwell Records)

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Dominos (Rounder)

The Susie Arioli Ban feat. Jordan Officer, That’s for Me (Justin Time)

Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane, At Carnegie Hall (Blue Note Records)

Various Artists, A Celebration of New Orleans Music (Rounder)

Various Artists, Louisiana Blues DVD, A Musical Film by Jean-Pierre Bruneau and Jose Reynes

Various Artists, The !!!Beat; Volumes 1-6 (Bear Family Records DVD)

Various Artists, Voo Doo (Mambito Records)

Vince Anthony, Just Because I Care (Midnight Gold Music)

Mojo Mouth

Make Levees, Not War

Live Wire

James Burton Guitar Festival, Shreveport

The Ultimate Test, Snug Harbor

Voodoo Fest: Exuding Faith in New Orleans

Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Maple Leaf

Letters

Letters December 2005