February 2021

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BackTalk

Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes Talks Back
The world knows Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes as the singing, accordion-playing front man for Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots. On Mardi Gras… – John Wirt

Cover Story

A Different Kind of Mardi Gras Story: How the Krewe of Red Beans Founder Devin De Wulf became a Covid relief superspreader
It all started with a Halloween bean suit. In 2007, newly arrived New Orleans transplant Devin De Wulf (née Meyers) was… – Cree McCree

Features

Obituary: Irving "Sully" Banister Sr. (1933 – 2020)
Irving Banister, the prolific and talented New Orleans guitarist, died December 15. He was 87. Born February 16, 1933, Banister was… – Jeff Hannusch
A Burning Light: Tavasco 504 will not let the “plan-demic” stop them
In these coronavirus times, Tavasco 504 is another example of making lemonade from lemons. A soul, funk and rhythm and blues… – John Wirt
Living the Blues: Alabama Slim and cousin Little Freddie King cozy up in The Parlor
Along with his upcoming 82nd birthday, New Orleans blues artist Milton Frazier has something else to celebrate. Frazier—the singer, guitarist and… – John Wirt
Have Moicy! Holy Modal Rounders’ Peter Stampfel joins with Louisiana musicians for his take on the best songs of the 20th century
Peter Stampfel is not a Louisiana musician. Yet his new album, Peter Stampfel’s 20th Century, is a thoroughly Louisiana album. Stampfel’s… – John Swenson
The Silent Tambourine—Will this be the first Mardi Gras in memory without Indians?
Perhaps more than any city, New Orleans is about mystique. The hidden treat around the next corner has always been its… – John Swenson

Fresh

The Soul of New Orleans: Hurricane Katrina-inspired 'Our New Orleans' reissued on vinyl
Recorded in the chaotic weeks after Hurricane Katrina, the all-star Our New Orleans album raised $1.5 million for Gulf Coast hurricane… – John Wirt

Letters

February 2021 Letters to the Editor
Religious worship and public safety I have followed you and OffBeat for decades and have always supported your support and promotion… – OffBeat Staff

OffBeat Eats

Creamy and Delicious! It’s Mardi Gras, time for red beans and rice
Red beans and rice have long been lauded as a New Orleans food staple. Maybe it’s for its simplicity—first and foremost,… – Marielle Songy

Reviews

Irma Thomas, Love Is the Foundation (Newvelle Records)
It’s a good moment for Irma Thomas records. Last year Craft Records released a vinyl-only 2-LP remaster of Thomas’ iconic After… – John Swenson
Little Freddie King, Going Upstairs (Newvelle Records)
King is well known on the club circuit, especially in the Marigny and the Ninth Ward where he often plays until… – John Swenson
Jon Cleary, So Swell (Newvelle Records)
Cleary is the outlier in this group, an artist in his prime with a recent Grammy and presumably the opportunity to… – John Swenson
Ellis Marsalis with Jason Marsalis, For All We Know (Newvelle Records)
If Newvelle’s intent is to make albums that are stand-alone works of art, this is a masterpiece. Once more the black… – John Swenson
Corey Ledet, Corey Ledet Zydeco (Nouveau Electric Records)
The title of Corey Ledet’s 2004 debut 3 Years 2 Late was his way of saying it was already three years… – Dan Willging
Future Cowboys, Life on Mars! (Independent)
The big bass sound and treated vocals greeting the listener at the beginning of the Future Cowboys’ second release Life on… – Jay Mazza
Max and the Martians, Stay at Home Demos (Independent)
When it comes to songwriting, Covid-19 has really been the elephant in the room; even the Swifts and McCartneys who’ve made… – Brett Milano
Ghalia Volt, One Woman Band (Ruf Records)
A Belgian firecracker recently based in New Orleans, Ghalia Volt idiosyncratically embraces the American South’s indigenous blues. Her intentionally raw third… – John Wirt
Smoking Time Jazz Club, Mean Tones and High Notes (Independent)
As the new generation of traditional jazz bands in New Orleans matures, many of the musicians are exploring the deep roots… – Jay Mazza
Randal Despommier, Dio C’è (Outside in Music)
Alto saxophonist Randal Despommier grew up outside New Orleans, where exposure to a rich gumbo of musical styles fueled his thirst… – Ken Franckling
Wayne Ewing, The Outsiders of New Orleans (Loujon Press)
One of the first things that come to mind when Charles Bukowski is brought up in conversation is, at least for… – Bill Arceneaux