Billie Davies
Billie Davies and her team of jazztronauts lace together a bittersweet story of adventure on the boulevard of broken dreams that is as much dripping in nostalgia as it is taking the listener to new auditory places never before visited—all while wrapping you up in its very sexy sound and style. The whole album [February 2017 Reviews; A Nu Experience: On Hollywood Boulevard] puts me in a unique mood as if the nostalgia I am feeling were my own! Love it!
—Raphaelle O’Neil, New Orleans, Louisiana
Rarely Heard in Germany
My name is Gerhard Rack from Mönchengladbach, Germany. I am 76 years old. After the war in the years 1960 through 1985 I heard British and American jazz by the British forces that were stationed here—particularly the jazz from New Orleans. Unfortunately today it is rarely heard in Germany. Surely I never will come to New Orleans, I am too old. But today I can enjoy the bands on YouTube. The Loose Marbles and Tuba Skinny are wonderful jazz, I love them.
And now I have a big request. I have heard a few recordings under YouTube, but no titles are given. Could you please send me the titles per e-mail? Attached are my references. I would be very happy if you could help me.
—Gerhard Rack, Mönchengladbach, Germany
Jason Jurzak, tuba player for Tuba Skinny and Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, and formerly with the Loose Marbles, responds:
The Loose Marbles: “Bill Bailey, Won’t you Please Come Home” youtube.com/watch?v=uKU7pKePTAo&index=15&list=RDzX99Mdsq8b4
Loose Marbles with Chance & Amy: “Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya” youtube.com/watch?v=bqEov92ZOOM&index=13&list=PLCC19795A6306843B
Loose Marbles: (a very fast) “Canal St. Blues” youtube.com/watch?v=EAIe7IQYXgc
Loose Marbles: “Shake It and Break It (Weary Blues)” youtube.com/watch?v=yTrFhOLlRg8&list=RDyTrFhOLlRg8
Loose Marbles: “Sobbin’ Blues” youtube.com/watch?v=nMYDj5vyuWQ&list=RDnMYDj5vyuWQ
The Loose Marbles with Meschiya Lake: “When I Get Low, I Get High” youtube.com/watch?v=hUeI4Q9ePEg&index=1&list=PLCC19795A6306843B
I’m glad bro enjoys these!
Removing Confederate Monuments
The following letters are in response to Jan Ramsey’s blog post, “Buh-Bye General Lee?” about the removal of Confederate monuments.
I was poisoned throughout my childhood by these disgusting statues glorifying the heroes of slavery and racism. New Orleans and its creolized population never deserved this humiliation. So I am delighted they will finally be removed. And I’d like to see them replaced not just but musicians but by the real heroes who fought slavery and racism like San Malo, the black troops who fought for their freedom, and Roudanez. And the black and white heroes and martyrs of Reconstruction. Yes, I support Medicare for all too.
—Gwendolyn Midlo Hall, Guanajuato City, Mexico
This is outrageous. Political correctness rears its ugly head. These men were so much more to the history of the South than a war and deserve better. We had planned a trip later this year but I think we need to find something else.
—Gene M. Maynor, Dunlap, Tennessee
If this were a statue commemorating a slave uprising where hundreds of white men, women and children were slaughtered, would you feel the same way about removing it? Would you bring your children there? Would you be capable of explaining the symbolism? Now imagine that you’re black.
—Gene Marks, Cleveland, Ohio
Pretty Lights
Beautiful writing. Pretty Lights live is far more than music, it’s a bridge that spans through all of our energy and shoots through the air into light. It’s so addicting and has such a strong gravitational pull—you’ll never be the same again. Congrats to the posse for their achievements, and congrats to the big man for creating something so alive that it will always live within me. Much love!
—Sean Hardani, Tulsa, Oklahoma
OffBeat welcomes letters from its readers—both comments and criticisms. To be considered for publication, all letters must be signed and contain the current address and phone number of the writer. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for length or content deemed
objectionable to OffBeat readers. Please send letters to Editor, OffBeat Publications, 421 Frenchmen St., Suite 200, New Orleans, LA 70116.
