February 1999
BackTalk
- Donald Harrison, Jr.
Donald Harrison, Jr., is one of the most influential modern jazz players of his generation, yet he remains inextricably tied to…
Bayou Beat
- Angelique Kidjo at Festival International de Louisiane, Frigg A-Go-Go & A Batch of Local Releases
The Festival International de Louisiane--the annual, free, week-long April event that transforms Downtown Lafayette into a multi-cultural, multi-sensual orgy--has announced that…
Bluesworthy
- Mem Shannon Spends Some Time with Me & Andy J. Forest
When singer/songwriter/guitarist/taxi driver Mem Shannon released his debut CD A Cab Driver's Blues in 1995, it marked the arrival of a…
Bookmark
- Hip Hop America by Nelson George
Last Fall, Charles Aaron wrote, "What the White Boy Means When He Says Yo" for the pierceder-than-thou Spin, The piece was…
Chassez De Faim
- Let the Good Menus Roll During Mardi Gras
Food is more important than sleep during New Orleans' most active holiday. Mardi Gras 1999 provides an opportunity for a number…
Cover Story
- Funky Four: The Neville Brothers Do Mardi Gras on Valence St.
"We're the brothers/We're the funky four/funk to the Valence/from the Calliope/like to sing and dance/in the neighborhood/we're bad as lightning/and we're…
Dis 'n' Dat
- Essence in New Orleans Until 2001, Changes at Louisiana Jukebox, Polynesian Joe's, New Music Distribution & More
Essence Communications Inc., along with Festival Productions Inc., announced last month that the Essence Music Festival, the three-day musical and cultural…
Features
- Iris May Tango Is On A Mission, Y'all
"Humberto and Iris May Tango," read the headline, referring to two hurricanes about to collide. And a band was born. Thing… - 100: The 100 Essential Louisiana CDs, Part 5
From the sounds of Jelly Roll Morton to Clifton Chenier to Fats Domino and the Neville Brothers, Louisiana music has consistently…
Feedback
- Favorite Local Releases of 1998, Gas Tank Orchestra & More
Last month in this space, I ran a list of my 10 favorite records of the year (in which I somehow…
Film & Video Bits
- The Thin Red Line, A Civil Action & da Bomb! On WB38
During the 1970’s, writer/director Terrence Malick wrote and directed two small arty films, Badlands starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, and…
Grapevine
- The Story at Tipitina's, Results Of Loyola's Music Survey & More
Just a few Carnival seasons ago, Tipitina's was playing up The Big Room in the Warehouse District as a premier venue…
Letters
- Letters February 1999
Bookmark Misses the Mark According to Fox I read your column ["Bookmark" by Alex Rawls] monthly and normally respect your opinions.…
Mojo Mouth
- Best of the Beat Rules; Help For Teedy: Tip's Expands
I wish you could have all come to OffBeat's Best of The Beat Awards. It was absolutely the best ever, with…
Pass A Good Time
- February Means Mardi Gras & More
February in New Orleans means Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras enthusiasts run the gamut from those who spastically try attending every parade…
Straight, No Chaser
- Michael Foster Project and 1999 Jazz King Competition
It's Mardi Gras time. Are you ready to "Kick Some Brass?" On Friday, February 12, Donna's club hosts the record release…
Talkin' 'bout New Orleans
- Mardi Gras with the St. Augustine High School Marching 100
Chances are that if you are going to one or more Mardi Gras parades this season, at some point, you'll be…
Reviews
- Strawberry Presents, Strawberry Presents (Nocturnal)
Since guitarist and vocalist Christopher Strawberry (whose adopted surname was bestowed on him by Willie Dixon. Really.) hooked up with drummer… - Chip Wilson, Chip Wilson and a Jumpin' Somethin' (Independent)
Just released in January, guitarist Chip Wilson's Chip Wilson and A Jumpin' Somethin' is a showcase of small combo 30s and… - Guardians of the Flame, New Way Pocky Way (First Tribe)
“This is the New Way Pocky Way for the New Day." - Victoria Harrison, Age 7. So opens this intriguing and… - Juice, Fortified (Independent)
Juice is the newest addition to the healthy New Orleans funk scene, dominated most recently by Galactic. Hoping for some of… - Donald Harrison, Free To Be (Impulse!)
Free To Be is the natural successor to Harrison's 1997 release, Nouveau Swing, which won some attention for the alto saxophonist's… - Various Artists, Medicine Show Live at Grant St. Dancehall (Acadian Art Council)
Here's a pure slice of the vibrant southwest Louisiana cultural scene that has given rise to, among others, the Grammy-winning Cajun… - Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy, The Odyssey of Funk & Popular Music, Vol. 1 (Atlantic)
Trickster or saint? Ever since the '60s, trumpeter Lester Bowie has plied the art of the avant-garde, trying to get us… - Coolbone, Brass Vibes (Jenjaz)
Coolbone may have lost its major label deal with Hollywood Records, which produced 1997's Brass-Hop and offered the surreal hope that… - Mahalia Jackson, In My Home Over There (Peacock Gospel Classics)
It’s easy enough to forget about the root of all roots music. As Cyril Neville reminds us on his Uptown Allstars… - Marva Wright, Bluesiana Mama (Aim)
This album from “The Blues Queen of New Orleans,” was recorded in Switzerland in 1994, and its domestic release is long… - Charmaine Neville, Queen of the Mardi Gras (Ten Birds)
Charmaine Neville has it all… a honey-sweet-molasses voice, good vocal chops, a pedigree to die for, knowledge of her musical roots,…
