Tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday, a digitally restored version of Stevenson Palfi‘s documentary Piano Players Rarely Play Together will show at the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center (1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.) at 7:30 p.m. Also on the bill will be Palfi’s final finished work, the short The World According to Ernie K-Doe. $40,000 were spent restoring [...]
Tag Archives: Allen Toussaint
Ponderosa Stomp Focus: An Interview with William Bell
September 16, 2011 – 7:10 pm
Today, renowned soulman William Bell has come to be known as one of the principal architects of the Stax sound, a sound that defined R&B and soul music from the early sixties through mid-seventies. In his own words, Bell describes the Stax sound as “hybrid sound, rooted in gospel that was a mixture of blues, [...]
Steve Earle, I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive (New West Records)
August 1, 2011 – 12:54 am
After 25 years of running and rebelling, Steve Earle’s 14th album, I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive, renders a sobering conclusion: “Doesn’t matter / ’cause there ain’t no way I’m ever gonna leave this town.” Fans of HBO’s Treme will recognize these lyrics as those of street musician Harley Watt, the character portrayed [...]
Ponderosa Stomp on Sale, on the Road
July 26, 2011 – 1:23 pm
The 10th anniversary of The Ponderosa Stomp takes place September 16-17, and it just got cheaper for New Orleanians. While supplies last, the festival is offering discounted tickets to New Orleans residents at Euclid Records and Louisiana Music Factory starting Wednesday. Single day tickets are priced at $45, two-day tickets are $85. The festival is [...]
Obituary: Benny Spellman (1931-2011)
July 1, 2011 – 12:12 am
Benny Spellman, who accounted for the wonderful two-sided 1962 national hit “Lipstick Traces” b/w “Fortune Teller,” and supplied the baritone interjections on Ernie K-Doe’s number one hit “Mother- In-Law,” died June 3 at an assisted living facility in Pensacola, Florida, of respiratory failure. He was 79. “Benny was a great entertainer,” confirms Irma Thomas, who [...]
Treme Wrap-Up: Worlds vs. Worlds
June 20, 2011 – 9:33 am
[Spoiler Alert] This season, Treme has pitted the characters’ little worlds – whether physical or mental – against the real world of conflicting priorities and values that returned in 2006, and the results haven’t been pretty. LaDonna has spent this season dealing with the consequences of having her little world, GiGi’s, no longer feel like [...]
YouTube du Jour: Bonnaroo by Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Del McCoury Band
June 8, 2011 – 12:47 pm
On the eve of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, kicking off tomorrow in Manchester, Tennessee, festival organizers Superfly Productions announced an “official” theme song, “Bonnaroo (Feel the Magic),” newly and jointly written by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Del McCoury Band. The announcement comes on a good day for Preservation Hall, celebrating [...]
Jazz Fest: Day 1 – Get Cosmic
April 30, 2011 – 9:51 am
A beautiful day, and the topic of conversation was what a beautiful day it was. Here are the notes: First great thing eaten: the fried crabcake – crusty outside, moist inside, and with enough flavor to stand up to the sauce and a sauce worth using. News: Jon Cleary announced that his new album will [...]
Obituary: Herman Ernest (1951-2011)
April 1, 2011 – 12:09 am
[Updated] During the recording of Dr. John’s Tribal album, James Demaria videotaped Herman Ernest overdubbing rhythm tracks. “This is the updated version of New Orleans funk,” he explained, adding a pattern on a cowbell. “This separates the men from the sidemen.” He was partially talking trash for the camera, but he was also someone [...]
