July 2022
Cover Story
- Feeling the Darkness: Shawn Williams is country-based with a New Orleans flair
Let’s get the obvious question out of the way: Is Shawn Williams really the person in her songs, the one with…
BackTalk
- Howie Kaplan Talks Back
In 2017, OffBeat’s Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Jan Ramsey wrote a feature in Mojo Mouth urging New Orleans to consider establishing a new “cabinet…
Features
- Jo-El Sonnier's career in Cajun music spans seven decades
The son of poor, French-speaking sharecroppers, Cajun musician Jo-El Sonnier has been a survivor of hardship his entire life. His mettle… - My Music with Rickie Monie
Born in 1952, pianist Rickie Monie was raised in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward. Monie’s father began teaching him at the age… - New Orleans Best-Kept Secret: Producer and hip-hop artist Kr3wcial has a powerful influence
New Orleans hip hop artist Kr3wcial performed a headlining show at Gasa Gasa on May 19. Over 200 people were there,…
Fresh
- The New Generation: Backstreet Cultural Museum moves to a historic Treme address
Standing in front of the door at the corner of St. Philip Street and North Robertson one might imagine all of… - Mari Watanabe releases 'Old Rockin' Chair' in loving memory of Lucien Barbarin and Tuba Fats
Pianist Mari Watanabe has been a fixture on the traditional jazz scene since she moved to New Orleans in 1985 after… - It's a good time to be Joy Clark
The lifelong West Bank native is having something of a “moment,” if such a thing exists in indie-Americana anymore. Joy Clark… - Vintage vinyl treasures are out there for the scoring (Episode 16)
There are places where we go to see our favorite musicians perform that we hold close to our hearts. For me,… - Tales of the Cocktail celebrates 20th anniversary
We’re heading into an exciting time of year. Festivals are returning and social events are back in full swing for the…
Bookmark
- Making Tracks: Producer Scott Billington's memoir focuses on the artists
During his more than 40 years as a record producer, Massachusetts native Scott Billington guided sessions for dozens of great roots…
Reviews
- PJ Morton, Watch the Sun (Morton Records)
PJ Morton—multi-Grammy Award-winning vocalist, keyboardist, composer and producer—displays his talents for collaborating with an array of diverse artists on his latest… - Kenny Neal, Straight from the Heart (Ruf Records)
In this 35th anniversary year of his recording debut, Baton Rouge’s Kenny Neal follows his Grammy-nominated 2016 album, Bloodline, with Straight… - James Singleton, Malabar (Sinking City Records)
One can often expect the unexpected from master bassist James Singleton—although wherever his many musical explorations might take him and whoever… - Alfred Banks, The Range 2 (Independent)
“It’s Nuckin’ Futs,” says Pell as part of a goofy intro track to Banks’ new LP The Range 2. And like… - Saturn Quartet, Synchronicities (Independent)
Of the four musicians that make up the Saturn Quartet, saxophonist Ricardo Pascal is the best known since he is a… - Gregg Hill, Born Liar (Independent)
Born Liar is Gregg Hill’s fifth release and his first since relocating to the Crescent City four years ago. Though the… - Charlie Musselwhite, Mississippi Son (Alligator Records)
Mississippi native Charlie Musselwhite travels an often-hard road in Mississippi Son, the latest of his nearly 40 albums. A singer, guitarist… - Randal Despommier, A Midsummer Odyssey (Sunnyside)
Swedish baritone saxophonist and composer Lars Gullin (1928-1976) never stepped foot on American soil, where his music remains rather obscure some… - Hey Thanks!, Start/Living (Iodine Recordings)
Through the backing of legacy punk label Iodine Recordings, Hey Thanks! has released their most complete and well-produced album to date… - Sweet Magnolia Brass Band, Glitter in the Bathtub (Independent)
It was bound to happen—a brass band that is really a pop band rather than a horn-driven funk and soul machine.… - George Winston, Night (Dancing Cat)
A musician who describes himself as a creature of the night, pianist George Winston charts a nocturnal journey with Night. His… - Steven Bernstein & The Hot 9, Manifesto of Henryisms (Royal Potato Family)
Manifesto of Henryisms is trumpeter Steven Bernstein’s third in a series of four “Community Music” releases. All four are an attempt… - The Fruit Machines, Goodbye, Lost City (Strange Daisy Records)
Indie rock band The Fruit Machines has developed their electronic sound into something more nostalgic, fusing ’80s synth-pop with ’90s grunge.… - Don Paul and Rivers Answer Moons, Love Over War (Irresistible)
On an average day at the Offbeat office, without fail we get a knock on the door. Either it's a local… - Roger Lewis, Alright! (Irresistible/Revolutionary Records)
Alright! is the debut album for Roger Lewis, a musician who has had a long history in New Orleans as well…
