MUSICIANS VALUE
I read the most recent “Mojo Mouth” [March 2007] with great interest. The fact is it is not only New Orleans that places little value on musicians. The situation is epidemic.
I am a musician (piano, accordion and vocals) who has been able to work in my chosen field all of my adult life. I recently returned from Las Vegas, where for the last six months I was unable to find one single gig. The hotels there are eliminating lounge music, and most of the shows use pre-recorded tracks. The few shows with live music are Cirque shows (they use primarily Canadian musicians), or headliners who bring their own band. People would rather pay $200 for a table at an “Ultra-Lounge” with a DJ, than see a band for the price of a drink!
Since coming back to the Gulf Coast, I have had only one job offer. And that was if I take a job cooking for the club at seven dollars an hour; they would let me play piano on my breaks. This is what it has come to—if we take the jobs nobody wants, they will let us play!
—Jeff Greenberg, Mobile, AL
MARVELOUS MARVA
My wife and I visited for the French Quarter Festival and we were blown away! What an experience! I think we will be returning next year. While there, we saw/heard the incredible Marva Wright! When she performed “I Will Survive,” it was the height of the visit! The metaphor was so appropriate and the experience along the river indescribable. Has Marva ever graced the cover of OffBeat and if so, is it available, as I would frame it along with her autographed CD? Thanks and best wishes!
—Bob Tyl, Langhorne, PA
Marva Wright appeared on OffBeat’s November 1992 cover. We’re glad Marva’s back in town and playing regularly again.—Ed.
INSULTING
Cyril Neville has turned his back on the city that gave him his mystique, and he’s done nothing to earn back our respect. I appreciate anyone doing his or her part to preserve the environment, but I’ll stay away from any event that Cyril Neville is a part of [Neville was in town for a free show Thursday, May 3 on Frenchmen Street.—Ed.] I’ll make donations without funneling it through this guy’s efforts. He’s a user, a traitor, and a fair-weather friend.
Please don’t forget these quotes: “There’s nothing there. And the situation for musicians was a joke. People thought there was a New Orleans music scene—there wasn’t. You worked two times a year: Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. The only musicians I knew who made a living playing music in New Orleans were Kermit Ruffins and Pete Fountain.
Everyone else had to have a day job or go on tour. I have worked more in two months in Austin than I worked in two years in New Orleans.”
“A lot of things about life in New Orleans were a myth.”
This is from another interview: “New Orleans is dead, man. It’s dead.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I love New Orleans. But the New Orleans I loved was gone long before the storm hit.”
“I like it here in Austin; musicians here look out for each other and people treat us the way we were supposed to be treated in New Orleans but weren’t. The good thing that’s come out of all this is I’m now in a city that actually cares about musicians.”
“My beloved New Orleans,” my ass. Cyril seems to prefer the greener pastures of Austin, at least as long he’s a novelty. Meanwhile, he’s insulted the hardworking musicians who’ve been loyal to New Orleans since the levees failed. He can pretend he’s gracing us with his presence, but we’ll stay here trying to keep it real and directly supporting the musicians who’ve sacrificed so much to be a part of our beloved New Orleans.
—Elliott Hammer, New Orleans, LA
BOBBY CHARLES
How about an article on Bonsoir, Catin, my favorite new band this year? Also, everybody wants to know more about how the “Friends of Bobby Charles” set came together at Jazz Fest.
—Bob Furem, Chicago, IL
For more on Bonsoir, Catin, check out Nick Pittman’s story “No Damsels in Distress” in the March issue. As for the Friends of Bobby Charles, everyone on the stage had recorded Bobby Charles songs, and Sonny Landreth’s band was scheduled to back Charles since they played together on Charles’ Last Train to Memphis album. It’s our understanding that Shannon McNally, Marcia Ball and Dr. John were scheduled to perform as guests.
Unfortunately, Charles has been in poor health, as we documented in Alex Rawls’ interview with Charles [“Better Days,” May 2007], and when that made it too hard for him to attend the show, the decision was made to let the show become a tribute to the songwriting legend. The show was certainly one of our Jazz Fest highlights.—Ed.
PRE-GLOSS AUTHENTICITY
After quite a bit of soul searching, I’ve decided to re-up.
I’m not a fan of the glossy look to your magazine. After visiting the car wash, my Honda may be shiny but it’s still got 250,000 miles on it, leaks oil and sports plenty of rust. Pre-gloss, OffBeat looked to have more authenticity.
It really annoys me that many of your articles contain additional content, only found on your Web site. If I’m a subscriber; I should be privileged to have all of the story at my fingertips and not a few clicks away.
Then again, I can’t get the information you provide, on the music I appreciate, anywhere else. Beside your free CD compilations are worth the cost alone. So keep it comin’.
—Thomas Haynes, Newton, NJ
NO JAZZ FEST BIBLE
I received my “Jazz Fest Bible” today, May 9, only 13 days after Jazz Fest started. Thanks?
—Chuck Smith, Lake Charles, LA
I was very disappointed to not receive my Jazz Fest bible prior to my departure to New Orleans on April 28. Not only did I not receive it before I left, it still hasn’t arrived. I think a better effort has to be made to get the Jazz Fest bible to subscriber’s homes prior to departure for Jazz Fest, even if that means sending them by first class mail to those outside of Louisiana. I know I would pay an extra $1 year to ensure the timely receipt of my bible. This issue is one of the main reasons I subscribe, so please look into a solution.
—Kerry Foster, Woodbury, NJ
Our May 2007 issue, the Jazz Fest Bible, was mailed out on Friday, April 27. Because the weight of the magazine exceeded the post office requirements to mail first class bulk, we were forced to mail it at the standard magazine rate which takes a bit longer. The post office advised 10 days and in some cases it could be longer. Unlike other publications, OffBeat mails at the more expensive first class rate. We apologize for this and will make the necessary adjustments to allow our 2008 Jazz Fest Bible to be mailed in a timely manner.—Ed.
SHE WANTS MORE!
I’d like to start a subscription to OffBeat Magazine. I’m currently getting the Weekly Beat via email but want more! I can’t wait to get my hot little hands on my first issue.
—Nancy Stafford, Woods Hole, MA
