WHERE’S WWOZ’S NEW STUDIO?
I was disappointed to discover that Jan Ramsey had missed an excellent opportunity to educate OffBeat readers. In her June bit about developing Armstrong Park, she wrote: “Where is WWOZ’s new studio? Surely they’ve raised the money by now to start construction on their new studio. What’s the holdup?”
Instead of picking up the telephone to find out the information, she chose to criticize based on conjecture. Instead of educating OffBeat readers on the status of the capital campaign and providing another opportunity to support the fundraising goal, she chose to chastise the effort.
As an avid WWOZ listener, supporter and volunteer, as well as a local OffBeat subscriber, I was sorry to see the publicity opportunity pass. I also found it ironic that every month she calls people on the carpet for not doing more to better the local music industry, but this time, her lack of effort made her part of the problem.
However, I am certain that in the future Ms. Ramsey will bring a little more journalistic integrity to her otherwise interesting and informative editorials.
—Adele Dauphin, New Orleans, LA
We have contacted the management of WWOZ concerning the construction of the station’s new studio and thus far, have not received a response.—Ed.
SEXPLOITATIVE TENDENCIES
In response to your tolerance of, and disgraceful cooperation with, the unnecessary personal droolings of Lou Avrami’s June 2003 “letter”:
Dirty Mouth would like to express our deepest disgust over your continued sexploitative tendencies, which raze [sic] you to the lowest common denominator, and showcase offensive, degrading, tabloid-style images of certain local unnamed female talent.
Besides, you know Irene Sage would be better in bed than Theresa Andersson.
—David James (Dirty Mouth), New Orleans, LA
BOO HOO, BEATLE BOB
Beyond the folk-art-pole-wavers, the communal-blanket-squatters, and the frat-boy-shouters, the thing that has continued to annoy me most about Jazz Fest is this “Beatle Bob” character. At first I thought he was just a local eccentric, then I see him in the V.I.P. sections, and now I realize he’s not just any geek… he’s a music-critic-geek… FROM MISSOURI!
Not only is his front row “air-conducting” a total distraction for the audience, consider his effect on the musicians (the ones who don’t know they’re supposed to kiss his ass). I’ll never forget the look in Jody Williams’ eyes when Bob started doing his thing at the first Ponderosa Stomp. (“Is this guy armed? Or just dangerous?”) Now, in the pages of OffBeat, he’s got the nerve to complain about not getting free tickets! Hey, Bob! Get hip to yourself… the music is not about YOU. Stay home with your trendy rocker pals and may the powers that be continue to relegate you to the pit (just don’t get close to me, pal).
—Bill Bowman, New Orleans, LA
WHERE’S THE ROCK?
Beatle Bob (a legend in his own mind!) Hey Bob, get a job to pay for those expensive (joke) Jazz Fest tickets. Stop being a freeloader (then again, you could be from New Orleans since that’s the norm here) and looking for those free comp tickets! Change your nickname (you have nothing in common with the Fab Four like, let’s say, greatness!) And, get some dance lessons, bra! Now, the guy who wrote about Louisiana Jukebox (June issue) was dead on…the host looks like Buckwheat’s sister and the Eminem wannabe co-host has got to go. Get some Hooter’s girls to do it. They don’t need any special talent. None of the music acts that get on the show have any talent. (One exception: Amanda Shaw. You go girl!) Why in the year 2003 that the two most talked-about ROCK bands from New Orleans are still Cowboy Mouth (who never made it on a national level and is nothing more than a college party band) and Zebra? Does rock ‘n’ roll music not fit into the right style of so-called local music? OffBeat and the other local magazines all seem to be the same publication. You cover very little of the rock music scene. That’s why bands leave New Orleans or break up. On Louisiana Jukebox you might see one rock band every four or five shows. New Orleans really only has three great people who actually made it: Fats Domino, Dr. John, and Harry Connick, Jr. What’s wrong with this picture? (Hint: no rock bands!) Now the Shim Sham Club is gone. New Orleans has such good luck!
—Rick Williams, New Orleans, LA
THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Ask and ye shall receive!” I understand where you come from on your suggestions. Being one of your “avid readers in every state in the U.S. and 40 foreign countries” (you guess which category Alabama falls in), I wonder why OffBeat does not do a better job of “getting our act together here.” Back home away from New Orleans music, we can get all the hype we want about Ornette Coleman, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, etc. What we can’t get is press on those absolutely fantastic acts like John Fohl, Jambalaya Cajun Band, John Boutté, Ingrid Lucia, Otra, Sunpie Barnes, and Johnny Sansone (best set of Jazz Fest 2003.) If OffBeat wants to help promote the city as a music center, the music must be seen and heard outside the city. If some of the staff of your magazine would write reviews about the great sets by your local artists, those of us back home can show it to our festival promoters, our entertainment writers, and local disc jockeys. As an example, I believe that color picture of Theresa Andersson will help me “sell” her act locally. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!) We can’t afford Fats, Dylan, Ornette Coleman, etc. What we could afford is some of that great “local” New Orleans music. We realize that you can’t review every act, every year; but, if you claim to be the Jazz Fest Bible, make the New Testament a reference to the greatest musical city in the universe.
—Sonny Barksdale, Montgomery, AL
SOMETHING MISSING
Thank you for reviewing my CD Piety Street Sessions. The review was very fair and accurate in my humble opinion and I am encouraged to continue the craft of songwriting with the hope of one day writing a hit song. The fact that your magazine was willing to review the work of an aspiring songwriter speaks volumes about your commitment to help continue to foster the growth of the local music industry. Keep up the good work!
Editorial Comment: I believe there was a missing “n” in the word describing the song “Something Missing”. I don’t mean to be picky but I just didn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression. Thanks again for the review and the great magazine.
—Buck Provosty, New Orleans, LA
We’re not sure but perhaps reviewer Robert Fontenot actually meant “fuck-rock,” instead of “funk-rock.” Neither is an unpleasant appellation.—Ed.