Issue Articles
Blue Sky: Allman-Betts Band messing with tradition
The very name of the Allman-Betts Band is steeped in music history. And so’s the band itself, led by Duane Betts and Devon Allman, the sons of Dickey Betts and Gregg Allman. If any band ever seemed cosmically destined to play hard-driving, Southern-styled blues-rock, it would be this one.
A Hell of a Ride: Mac McAnally of the Coral Reefer Band
Singer and guitarist Mac McAnally isn’t about to forget the last time he saw his longtime friend and musical partner Jimmy Buffett. “It was 24 hours before he passed, and I was there with [Coral Reefer Band] keyboardist Mike Utley. ‘Keep the party going’ was exactly what he said to us—and then he put his hand on his heart and said, ‘What a hell of a ride.’ Those were the last things we ever heard him say. And what I saw on his face was that big smile, the one you always saw from him, whether he was onstage or at the grocery store, or the smile that you could just feel when you were hearing him sing. And he took that smile with him to the next place.”
Farewell Tour: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Jazz Fest debut
When you’ve been a band for 58 years and played a key role in country-rock history, you’re entitled to a long goodbye. So it is that the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is playing Jazz Fest toward the start of its farewell tour, but they don’t intend to wrap it up right away.
A Whole Lot of Funk: Tower of Power returns to Jazz Fest
Fifty-six years makes for a whole lot of funk. And in Tower of Power’s case, a whole lot of people as well. More than 60 bandmembers have passed through the ranks in that time, but the soulful essence of the band has been consistent.
Kevin Ray Clark talks about Al Hirt “Jumbo”
By all rights Al Hirt should be remembered as one of the New Orleans musical giants. He had the trifecta of serious jazz chops, mainstream pop success, and a larger-than-life personality.
Lights On: Kristin Diable always had a pulse in the real world
“I cannot believe it’s been nine years,” Kristin Diable says with a sigh and a laugh. “Honestly, after being in the business of music this long, and even teaching the craft and business of songwriting at Loyola, it’s as mysterious to me as it ever was. But that’s all right, I’m all for the long game.”
Cyril Neville Preserves Neighborhood Culture
If you see Cyril Neville perform this year, you’ll probably hear a song called “Don’t Wait ’Till I’m Gone.” It’s a typically fiery bit of funk, with lyrics that say what a lot of well-traveled musicians are probably thinking: “Give me my flowers while I can still smell them, hear my stories while I can still tell them. Give me my medals while I can still wear them. Don’t wait till I’m gone!”
Father Ron & Friends: Forever the Seasons (Louisiana Red Hot Records)
Father Ron Clingenpeel is both a genuine clergyman (a retired Episcopal priest) and a genuine scholar of folk music; he hosts a folk show on WWOZ and here presents an album of original and borrowed songs steeped in the classic influences of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.
Let’s Go Smoke Some Pot: 4/20 With Dash Rip Rock
In boggles the mind that a city that celebrates everything else would not have a music festival on 4/20. Dash Rip Rock leader Bill Davis noticed that as well and put together a bash at NOLA Brewing last year. The mini-fest, now dubbed “Everybody Solo,” returns to the venue this year—on April 20 of course.
New World Rising: After two decades Brian Stoltz is back!
This may come as a shock to anyone who’s ever seen him play, but Brian Stoltz doesn’t think of himself as a hotshot guitar player. There’s no doubt that Stoltz can solo with the best of them—and he literally did solo with the best of them, as a longtime Neville Brothers and funky Meters member, and as a studio player for Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt and others. But for him, the real action happens when you sit down and put pen to paper.
