February 2010

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BackTalk

Galactic's Ben Ellman and Robert Mercurio
When Galactic and Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet parted ways in 2004, there were whispers of concern about what the band would become… – Alex Rawls

Cover Story

Helen Gillet: A Good Fit
Helen Gillet steeled herself against the January chill as she stood on a bright Marigny street corner right down Dauphine Street… – John Swenson

Features

Fake Dogs, Bellies, and Big-Ass Amps
Anyone who visits New Orleans during Carnival season will have a plethora of stories to pack their bags with and bring… – Courtney Young
The Best of the Beat 2009 Winners
When Allen Toussaint’s The Bright Mississippi was released, we said, “(Producer Joe) Henry treats these recordings not as pop, jazz nor… – OffBeat Staff
Framed: Quintron and Miss Pussycat
Quintron and Miss Pussycat have been keeping New Orleans weird for years now with their respective art—Quintron as electro-musician/inventor and Panacea… – Abby Lunetta
Meet De Boys
Let’s face it, music is as much a part of Mardi Gras as Zulu, Rex and hangovers. Not surprisingly, the majority… – Jeff Hannusch

Fresh

A Family Affair
When Canadian indie rock sisters Tegan and Sara started talking about where to write their new album in 2008, New Orleans… – Kathleen McCann
Be Your Not-So-Super Self
”That first year, we had it in Blake’s living room, and everyone just had an amazing time” says Rotary Downs drummer… – Sarah Franz
Grammy Business
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards are filled with ties to New Orleans and Louisiana. From the nominations of Harry Connick, Jr.… – Juli Shipley
New Orleans Bingo! Show: A New Game
The circus is pulling out new tricks for the New Year. A new cast of new characters and a transition from… – Courtney Young

Letters

February 2010 Letters
BITTERSWEET POTLUCK Just wanted to let you know that I received the “Super Potluck” box you sent me last week, and… – OffBeat Readers

Mojo Mouth

I Hate Mardi Gras!
That got your attention, right? I don’t really, but my attitudes towards the day have sure changed over the years. Last… – Jan Ramsey

Obituaries

Obituary: Ned Theall (1937-2010)
Ned Theall, the noted saxophonist, arranger and bandleader of the Boogie Kings died in a Lafayette hospital January 8, 2010. He… – Jeff Hannusch
Obituary: Bobby Charles (1938-2010)
Louisiana lost one of the brightest jewels on its musical crown with the passing of Robert Charles Guidry a.k.a. Bobby Charles… – Jeff Hannusch

OffBeat Eats

Dining Out: Taqueria D.F.
Last month during his performance of the inaugural New Orleans’ Speaker Series, culinary bad boy Anthony Bourdain highlighted the proliferation of… – Peter Thriffiley & Rene Louapre
Anders Osborne Hits the Spot at Lebanon's Cafe
Lebanon’s Café 1500 N Carrollton St. (504) 862-6200 What are you in the mood for? The gyro plate! I’m starving, and… – Kyle Petrozza

Dining Out

Dining Out: Taqueria D.F.
Last month during his performance of the inaugural New Orleans’ Speaker Series, culinary bad boy Anthony Bourdain highlighted the proliferation of… – Peter Thriffiley & Rene Louapre

The Spot

Anders Osborne Hits the Spot at Lebanon's Cafe
Lebanon’s Café 1500 N Carrollton St. (504) 862-6200 What are you in the mood for? The gyro plate! I’m starving, and… – Kyle Petrozza

Reviews

Galactic, Ya-Ka-May (Anti- Records)
When Galactic parted ways with Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet, there was a lot of concern about what the band would become without… – Alex Rawls
Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole, L'Ésprit Créole (Valcour)
When Cedric Watson’s eponymous debut dropped in 2008, only the astute realized that this was not just a solo record by… – Dan Willging
Snooks Eaglin, Teasin' You (Hep Cat)
This Black Top Records reissue takes us back to 1991 when Snooks Eaglin was at the apex of his career. The… – Jeff Hannusch
Various Artists, Love Song to New Orleans (Independent)
How far can good intentions carry a project? What do good intentions excuse? Love Song to New Orleans invites these questions… – Alex Rawls
Boo Boo Davis, Ain't Gotta Dime (Black & Tan)
If you’re into the stripped down, North Mississippi/Fat Possum sound, then Boo Boo Davis might just be for you. Chord changes… – Jeff Hannusch
Spirit of New Orleans, Mahogany Hall Stomp (Spirit of New Orleans)
Leroy Jones joins Helsinki natives Spirit of New Orleans for some “traditional New Orleans jazz with a 21st Century flavor.” Along… – Zachary Young
Miss Sophie Lee, Tallulah Moon (Sophie Lee Music)
Tallulah Moon, the latest from singer Miss Sophie Lee, sees her accompanied by a band culled largely from members of the… – Zachary Young
High Performance, Live From Breaux Bridge, Pt. 2 (Swallow)
As promised, Live from Breaux Bridge Pt. 2 (Live from Breaux Bridge was released in March, 2009) is the second installment… – Dan Willging
Blair, Die Young (Autumn Tone)
In Die Young, Blair presents a sonorous indie-pop gem five years in the making. The New Orleans native’s first full-length album,… – Tom Macom
Soul Rebels, No Place Like Home, (Independent)
I’ll never understand live albums. They may have been cut on hot nights, but they rarely sound hot. Instead, they tell… – Alex Rawls
Don Rich, You're Mistaken (Jin)
By now it’s a safe bet that Don Rich won’t gallop into any virgin territory. With another platter of fan-favorite, heartfelt… – Dan Willging
Mark Darnell-Marquez/9 Ghosts, Lunar Year (11:11 Music)
With Lunar Year, multi-instrumentalist/composer Mark Darnell-Marquez adds singer/songwriter to his musical persona, 9 Ghosts. Previously under the moniker, Darnell-Marquez released an… – Aaron Lafont
Earl King and Roomful of Blues, Glazed (Hep Cat)
This is the return of a very good old friend as Hep Cat has reissued one of the earliest albums from… – Jeff Hannusch