Issue Articles — Fresh
Vintage Vinyl Treasures (Episode 27)
This month’s installment of Vintage Vinyl includes an eclectic mix of soundtracks residing in my current record collection from five memorable movies. I had this soundtrack theme in the back of my mind for some time, but it was triggered and came to fruition by a recent acquisition of the first soundtrack in queue.
What It Means To Get A Jazz Fest Gig
The crowd looks like a psychedelic wonderland of wildflowers. Sometimes clouds cast shadows over the uneven sea of vibrant caftans, gator-patterned button-down shirts, and festival hats, patches of midday sun illuminating masses of rosy faces. It’s a view familiar to generations of musicians privileged enough to stand on a festival stage—and a thrilling, if nerve-wracking, sight for New Orleans artists making their all-important Jazz Fest debuts.
Vintage Vinyl Treasures (Episode 26)
It is that time of year in the Big Easy, no doubt about it. Given another stellar line-up of Jazz Fest performers too numerous to count from all over this round world, it just does not get any better than this. This month’s installment includes five artists, both timeless and young, that you should recognize and if your stars align with tumblers clicking into place, you might just catch them at this year’s Fest for a memory to last a lifetime.
A Savvy Scribe: Walter Mosley tells the truth
The world is catching up to Walter Mosley. He came out of the gate swinging with “Devil in a Blue Dress” in 1990, introducing us to the now-beloved Easy Rawlins. Mosley has authored over 50 titles since then, including the new “Every Man a King,” the second book in the Joe King Oliver series.
Vintage Vinyl Treasures (Episode 25)
Robbie Robertson of The Band fame once called Allen Toussaint “the truth of New Orleans’ music.” I recall enjoying the moment when I first heard these kind and well-deserved words. Allen’s music, whether it be his songwriting, his own many albums and performances, or his production work with other artists, is full of pleasant surprises if you take the time to really listen and to read up on his amazing career. To that end, this month’s installment of Vintage Vinyl pays tribute to one of my heroes, the incomparable Allen Toussaint, via five artists who recorded and released his “Brickyard Blues” composition in the same year on each of these now classic albums.
Distinctly Mine: Marc Stone finds a voice of his own
Marc Stone’s spring festival season schedule is shaping up nicely. Stone, a singer, guitarist and songwriter inspired by classic blues and soul, is also relaunching the guest star-filled album he pulled from release last year. Following some sonic tweaks and market strategizing, he’s re-releasing Shining Like a Diamond on April 14, just in time for festival season.
Brass Brass Everywhere: Original New Orleans Brass Fest at Armstrong Park
New Orleans Original Brass Fest at Armstrong Park
Vintage Vinyl Treasures (Episode 24)
This time around you will find four popular but now somewhat rare releases (in excellent condition anyway) from the mid and late 1960s with the last but certainly not least selection, being a genre favorite, from 1974. Climb aboard and join me for a ride down memory lane.
