TIM GREEN
I first heard Tim Green play with Anders Osborne, where he added a dimension to the music which made it world-class rather than “merely” (tongue in cheek here) New Orleans great. I was struck by his serious, all-out, take-no-prisoners approach, like his soul was hanging on every note, commanding your attention. The man had gravitas, duende—whatever you want to call it—and though I didn’t know or follow him closely, I am saddened and will miss him.
—Steve Rauworth, Durango, Colorado
The last time I heard [TIm Green], he was in some hybrid band and I immediately smiled seeing that he was there, knowing the music would be lifted to a higher place.
—Michael Bruns, Saint Paul, Minnesota
NEW MUSIC
This is in response to Jan Ramsey’s blog post, “Information Geek Finds New Music Where?” where she asks, “Where do you find new music?”
I listen to WWOZ. The variety of shows and the song selections by the DJs are amazing. Friday nights in Canada have gotten better since I discovered Black Mold. Fact is, the entire stable of DJs rock! I also use the Songza playlists.
One other music-mining technique I use is to go into the YouTube uploaders site and sample their collection. Chances are pretty good that if you like a person’s upload, there may be more in the collection to hear.
—Mickey Hart, Brantford, Ontario
TRAD JAZZ
This is in response to Jan Ramsey’s blog post, “Survey Says Trad Jazz,” where she asks, “If you had one night to experience music in New Orleans, what kind of music would you go listen to?”
I’m from the U.K. and have been watching some great videos of some of the street bands and they are excellent. I’ve seen five bands—Tube Skinny, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Shotgun Jazz Band, Hokum High Rollers and Yes Ma’am—that are really terrific. Like [Ramsey] says, there’s something new and refreshing about the way these bands are exploring the old music. It’s more than just pastiche. I’ve started saving up my pennies so I can afford a trip out their way just to see them play.
—Michael Keating, London, England
TUBA SKINNY
The following are in response to the September feature story “Keeping Character Intact.”
Shaye [Cohn] is my niece. A small correction is in order. Al Cohn is her grandfather. They share the same birth date. I am certain he would be most proud of how her career has developed. Her finding the Louis Armstrong of the “Hot Fives” is not so fortuitous. Al had three musical heroes: Duke Ellington, Lester Young and Mr. Armstrong, particularly on those “Hot Five” sessions. That music is in the family’s DNA. Her father, Joe, continues to be an active musician, contrary to the article.
—Christopher Sjöholm, Beacon, New York
Excellent article, except for the sloppy omission of Robin Rapuzzi. He’s been the band’s washboard player since at least 2010, and yet he’s glossed over “… and a variety of guitar, banjo, fiddle and washboard players came and went.” It’s true that many musicians have come and gone, but Rapuzzi is an integral part of the band’s sound and has been for years.
—Francis LeCroc, New Orleans, Louisiana
Can’t get enough of Tuba Skinny. I hope to see them live someday.
—Homer Frank Willis, III, Cleveland, Ohio
BUFFA’S
WTF? Buffa’s has gone above and beyond to accommodate the challenge. Can I be on the jury to laugh Sydney Torres out of court? Who moves next to a music club and complains about the noise? Can we require an IQ test for our neighbors? Soundproofing and acoustic isolation of the stage? How about a hot-air standard for politicians?
—Mark Winter, New Orleans, Louisiana
CORRECTION
The photo credit for the portrait of Lost Bayou Ramblers in our October issue goes to Zack Smith.
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.
