October 2012
BackTalk
- BackTalk: Venerated Bluesman Elvin Bishop Stays Sharp (Interview)
In 1960 Elvin Bishop left his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma and moved to Chicago, where he learned to play the blues…
Cover Story
- A Tale of New Orleans: Spencer Bohren's Storied Blues
Verse 1: Kitchen Music Spencer Bohren and his wife Marilyn are spending a rare day at home in their cozy brick…
Features
- This Old House: Residents of Jelly Roll Morton Home Preserve History
The red house at the corner of Frenchmen and Robertson stands out among its neighbors, the most brightly colored on a… - The Ninth Wonder: Ironing Board Sam Keeps 'em Guessing
"I’m back,” Sam “Ironing Board Sam” Moore declares with happy gusto. The talented rhythm and blues vocalist and keyboardist, who thrilled… - Maria Muldaur Latches onto Lizzie "Kid" Douglas (Memphis Minnie)
Maria Muldaur remembers precisely the moment that New Orleans native Lizzie “Kid” Douglas — better known by her stage name, Memphis… - Yo Laughing Matter: Cutting Up with Comedian Mark Cesar
A week after Hurricane Isaac squatted over Southeastern Louisiana, bowel movement jokes fill a room on Tulane Avenue. A deejay drops… - Holding Court with The Band Courtbouillon
Pop quiz: How many accordion players does it take to screw in a light bulb? Three — one to screw it… - Me Being Me: Accordionist Corey Ledet Plays Zydeco His Way
Some people recognize their calling late in life, some never find their way. Corey Ledet knew early on that his career…
Fresh
- Never Records Cues Up New Orleans Exhibit
As with so many vinyl enthusiasts, New York artist Ted Riederer found his groove at a young age. “When I was… - Preservation Hall West Opens in San Francisco
Ben Jaffe sits in the rear office behind Preservation Hall. The Hall’s director — and son of Allan and Sandra Jaffe… - Don't Wash Us Away: Tab Benoit Champions Voice of the Wetlands Festival
The post mortem on Hurricane Isaac was that it was the second most devastating hurricane to hit the New Orleans area…
Letters
- October 2012 Letters to OffBeat
MAKE IT HAPPEN I have the outsider’s perspective, but still consider myself to be a “New Orleanian-in-exile.” I am a “Threadhead.”…
Mojo Mouth
- Goodbye
Just three days after this issue hits the street, we’ll see the end of an era — and the beginning of…
Obituaries
- Obituary: James "Sugar Boy" Crawford (1934-2012)
One of the pioneers of early New Orleans rhythm and blues, James “Sugar Boy” Crawford died September 15, after a brief…
OffBeat Eats
- Dining Out: The Company Burger
To borrow from Associate Justice Potter Stewart, a great burger is hard to define, but we know one when we taste… - The Stooges Brass Band's Walter Ramsey Hits the Spot at Lil Dizzy's
What do you usually get when you come here? I like to come here for breakfast, I usually get the ham…
Dining Out
- Dining Out: The Company Burger
To borrow from Associate Justice Potter Stewart, a great burger is hard to define, but we know one when we taste…
The Spot
- The Stooges Brass Band's Walter Ramsey Hits the Spot at Lil Dizzy's
What do you usually get when you come here? I like to come here for breakfast, I usually get the ham…
Reviews
- Greg Schatz, Where the River Meets the Railroad Tracks (Hot Spazz Records)
Greg Schatz is a prime example of a musician who came to New Orleans looking to be graced by the city’s… - Preservation Hall Jazz Band, St. Peter and 57th Street (Rounder Records)
It’s a bit strange that the Preservation Hall Jazz Band would go out of town to throw their own birthday party,… - The New Orleans Suspects, The New Orleans Suspects (Independent)
If there’s any doubt the New Orleans Suspects are the best kind of throwback, check the funky, jubilant version of the… - Au Ras Au Ras, The Great Nothing (Independent)
Au Ras Au Ras’ second album The Great Nothing has an appropriate amount of white space in its songs, giving Tess… - Eric Lindell, I Still Love You (Sparco Records)
Eric Lindell has never been someone to stay in one place for very long. The R&B singer/guitarist has seen his share… - Mainline Brass Band, Mainline Brass Band (Independent)
It’s unexpected that an album by a New Orleans ensemble named the Mainline Brass Band would open with a guitar solo… - Dave Ferrato, Later, On Decatur (Independent)
Dave Ferrato is a Quarter Rat with an eye for storytelling detail and an ear for the classic currents of New… - Various Artists, En Français: Cajun ’n’ Creole Rock ’n’ Roll Vol. 2 (Bayou Teche Brewing Co)
Readers who may have missed the first volume of En Français: Cajun ’n’ Creole Rock ’n’ Roll are in for a… - New Orleans Helsinki Connection, Paradise on Earth (Spirit of New Orleans Productions)
Sweetness and light abound on the latest release from New Orleans Helsinki Connection. Led by the inimitable Leroy Jones and buffeted… - Travis Matte and the Kingpins, Let’s Party (Mhat Productions)
It’s hard to believe that Travis Matte and his motley Kingpins crew have been at it for eight years now, releasing… - Johnny Angel, More (Deuce Records)
It’s Johnny Angel’s name on the marquee, but the stars of More are really the backing band, particularly Jeff Greenberg’s impeccability… - Bob Dylan, Tempest (Columbia Records)
The saga starts with a man on a train passing through Carbondale, Illinois, riding home on the City of New Orleans.… - Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Bad Boy (Blind Pig Records)
Besides being a human blues jukebox, Chicago’s Magic Slim has made himself into a guitar-playing cottage industry when it comes to… - Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Preservation Hall 50th Anniversary Collection (Sony Legacy)
Ever since taking the reins of operating Preservation Hall — New Orleans’ shrine to the sources of music that coalesced into… - Chris Thomas King, Bona Fide (21st Century Blues)
Bona Fide offers a glimpse of Chris Thomas King in full stride propelled by mid-career confidence, a genuinely inventive and compelling… - Doug Belote, Magazine St (Independent)
Why isn’t New Orleans music accorded a greater presence in contemporary jazz? The city’s isolation from the musical mainstream is due…
