Issue Articles
Playlist: 5 Songs You Probably Didn’t Know Louis Armstrong Recorded
Louis Armstrong recorded a vast amount of material between the mid-’20s and the dawn of the ’70s, and much of that material stands as a cornerstone of American music. But […]
My Music: Sarah McCoy
“I started at the piano with classical music, but it was Fiona Apple that set me singing—I’ve sung ‘Criminal’ so many times by now. That may be why my voice […]
OffBeat’s Big Night at 2013 New Orleans Press Club Awards
It was a big night for OffBeat at the Press Club of New Orleans awards, held July 20 at the Harrah’s Theater. OffBeat and its staff received 15 awards, including […]
Hurray for the Riff Raff Sings to ATO Records
The much admired alternative-country act Hurray for the Riff Raff may make its national breakthrough sooner than later. This month, the band—which consists of singer/songwriter Alynda Lee Segarra as the […]
Essence Night #3: Beyonce Brings Glitz, But Janelle Monae Takes The Night
On the last night of Essence Fest I fell in love…but no, not with Beyonce. That’s who the sold-out crowd was there for, but to these ears it was Janelle […]
Essence Night #2:
Uncle Charlie and Bad-Boy Bobby
Since the Essence Festival tends to run like a tightly scripted, expensively produced TV show, it’s a mild shock when someone delivers a set that’s a little loose and a […]
Essence Night #1: Jill Scott Triumphs, Maxwell Stays Cool
Friday’s Essence festivities kicked off at the Convention Center with a series of panels dubbed the “Empowerment Experience.” Since the target audience was female, black and upwardly mobile, I came […]
Preservation Hall Jazz Band, That’s It! (Sony Legacy)
Ever since they covered a Kinks song (granted, a Kinks song already steeped in New Orleans jazz) on ’07s Hurricane Sessions collection, it’s been clear that the Preservation Hall Jazz […]
Settly & the Disappointments: Part of a Moment (Independent)
My eyes went up when I saw this band’s bio namechecks Glenn Tilbrook and Peter Holsapple, to these ears two of pop songwriting’s all-stars (frontman Settly has done production work […]
Harry Connick Jr., Every Man Should Know (Columbia)
Harry Connick Jr. promises that his latest is a “no rules, no limits” album—that quote’s in his liner notes, and it’s the hub of the ad campaign as well. This […]
