Best of the Beat coverage in The Advocate of Baton RougeBy John Wirt, Music Critic, The Advocate, 1/18/08 N.O.’s beloved Quezergue honored at Beat Awards
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans music magazine OffBeat staged its annual Best of the Beat Awards Saturday at the House of Blues. The evening’s highlights included a performance by lifetime achievement award winner Wardell Quezergue and his New Orleans Rhythm and Blues Revue featuring guest stars Jean Knight, Dorothy Moore and Shannon McNally. Quezergue arranged such 1960s and ’70s classics as Knight’s “Mr. Big Stuff,” Moore’s “Misty Blue,” Professor Longhair’s “Big Chief,” the Dixie Cups’ “Iko Iko,” Robert Parker’s “Barefootin’,” Earl King’s “Trick Bag,” King Floyd’s “Groove Me” and dozens more. His more recent work includes the concert film, Deacon John’s Jump Blues. The 77-year-old, legally blind Quezergue was celebrated on stage and in a short film by Henry Griffin and Aaron Walker. The film features comments from the arranger, composer and conductor and his musical peers, including Deacon John Moore, drummer Smokey Johnson and recording studio owner Cosimo Matassa. Offbeat publisher Jan Ramsey presented Quezergue his pyramid-shaped, pink-glass award. “Wardell has been instrumental in the entire catalog of New Orleans R&B,” she said. “I’d like to dedicate this concert to all the organizations that helped victims of the storm,” the modest maestro said. “And don’t forget that we have some wonderful young musicians coming up. When I’m long gone, they will carry on.” Quezergue led his Rhythm and Blues Revue through newly completed arrangements of songs he’s long been identified with. The group opened with “It Ain’t My Fault,” the Smokey Johnson instrumental that’s become Quezergue’s theme music. Vocalist Tony Owens joined the band for another funk classic, the irresistible “Groove Me.” Shannon McNally sang the Dixie Cups’ “Chapel of Love” and a surprise rendition of Phil Phillips’ swamp-pop standard, “Sea of Love.” Quezergue and two of the artists he helped make famous were reunited when Jean Knight joined him for the ever-funky “Mr. Big Stuff” and Dorothy Moore sang her beautiful soul ballad, “Misty Blue.” Also receiving lifetime achievement awards were New Orleans music educator Wilbert Rollins Jr. and Roy Shaw of Gonzales Music Wholesale. Shaw gave credit to surviving mom-and-pop stores. “We, along with them, encourage you guys to buy only legitimate music,” he said.
Determined by online voting, other winners include Baton Rouge rock band the Eames Era, recipient of the best emerging artist award; Mem Shannon for best blues band or performer; Troy Andrews and Orleans Avenue for best R&B/funk band or performer; Christian Scott for best contemporary jazz band or performer; and best traditional jazz album; BeauSoleil for best Cajun band or performer. Also, Galactic for album of the year; John Boutte for best male vocalist; Susan Cowsill for best female vocalist; and best country-folk-roots rock band or performer; and Joel Savoy’s Eunice-based Valcour Records for label of the year. Subscribe to offBeat and receive a FREE JazzFest CD! |
