“ONE TOO MANY”

It was a delightful surprise to read your [Joseph Irrera] article, “Treigle Plaza,” in OffBeat, especially since I had always thought it primarily concerned with popular music. Your description of seeing him as Mefistofele was fascinating [November 2012, page 14].

May I offer a suggestion for the future, however? The reviews for the Covent Garden Faust really were only poor in comparison to the extreme accolades he usually received. As for him being “devastated” by them, I would say that by that point in his life he could not have cared less about what critics thought. He had bronchitis and had sprained his foot, so he was certainly not at his best. Also, as he privately admitted, the sleeping pill addiction was taking its toll. (He was less cognizant of the problems of his addictions to unfiltered Kools, scotch and the racetrack….) But the column sounds a bit like he went home and committed suicide because of a few mediocre reviews.

In my book, Strange Child of Chaos: Norman Treigle (2006), I examine his death (and include all the London reviews) and come to the conclusion that it was not deliberate, but accidental, as [coroner] Dr. Minyard said at the time. Now, was he slowly committing suicide by his lifestyle? Yes. His protégé, Michael Devlin, told me that Treigle took an “accidental overdose” every night for years by that time—that last night, he just took one too many.

—Brian Morgan, New Orleans, LA

RECALLING CASTILLE

The following is in response to the Hadley Castille obituary originally posted on offbeat.com, republished on p. 18.

He was not just an amazing musician, but one of the sweetest and honest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Playing music with him was always fresh because he’d forever get “caught up in the moment,” changing the arrangements on the spot. As Blake said, he was always developing his style by digesting any style of music and allowing it to influence his playing—even if it meant receiving criticism, like when he embraced bluegrass fiddling. I’ll miss his endless stories (a great storyteller), his caring and sweet nature, his laughter, his Cajun accent with his unique inflections, his friendship and his hugs. His spirit touched and influenced me, so will continue to be expressed every time I play music—and I’m sure through every musician who played with Mr. Hadley, especially his son and granddaughter, Blake and Sarah Jayde.

—Russ Broussard, New Orleans, LA

WHY AUSTIN?

I just finished reading an article about Gary Clark Jr. in the New York Times [Austin native who performed at the Austin City Limits Music Festival]. Here are a couple of quotes from the article: “A scene so vibrant that it can dull the incentive to set out for bigger things.” “A town that takes pride in its music culture.” I cannot understand why the mayor who grew up in that culture does not do more to promote, honor and support the musicians who make New Orleans the place every American who has any interest in music should visit—and spend their money at. The music scene in New Orleans is second to none in the world. The people that live in the French Quarter complaining about music because they think it’s noise just bewilders me! I’ve been coming to New Orleans since 1994 for Jazz Fest and lived there for about a year and a half in 2002 and 2003—the happiest time in my life. Shame on you, Mr. Mayor, for not realizing that the music of New Orleans could save the city. It would be nice if the next time there is an article about New Orleans in the New York Times it will not be about crime or corruption or floods but about how New Orleans is the cradle of modern American music.

—Steve Romick, Cleveland, OH

RESEARCHING THE PAST

Thanks so much for the wonderful selection of past issues—to say that I am enjoying them is a bit of an understatement. I have barely scratched the surface and already I feel so much wiser about the New Orleans music scene, its musical heritage and the city itself. I feel like I am doing research, really fun research.

It is fascinating to see the evolution of the magazine (and the city) from your early days in the late ’80s to the present—sad as well, when you see how many great musicians and people have passed on.

—Brendan Quinn, Clifton Park, NY

NOLA MAGIC

Trombone Shorty and Galactic were recently down in our neck of the woods, playing at the Caloundra Music Festival. There were great crowds at Caloundra—Shorty in particular had a big crowd on the main stage and had the place jumping. I was surprised at how many people seemed to know the songs for both acts—word is spreading!

I took the opportunity to take my teenage kids to get their first taste of NOLA magic, and am pleased to report they loved it. We even got to meet the Galactic guys after the show and they were good enough to sign my Saints cap. It doesn’t get much better than that!

—Marcus Woodfield, Robina, Queensland, Australia

NO PENNIES LEFT

The following is in response to Jan Ramsey’s September 19 blog post “Football Mania,” in which she asks, “Why don’t we consider putting less emphasis on sports?”

My husband puts all his extra pennies with the Eagles (yes, we’re from PA!). He goes to a game or two, goes to preseason practice, and on the weekend is dressed head to toe in green. He would give his left nut to see the Saints play in the Dome! After 31 years of marriage, I still don’t get it. Me, I put my pennies toward a trip to hear Kermit, Irvin, Shamarr or see the Soul Rebels or any Neville in Philly. This is why we have no pennies left!

—Deborah Kozior, Philadelphia, PA

25 YEARS

Congratulations on 25 years of supplying the best read on NOLA: her music and musicians, restaurants and food, clubs and festivals, history and politics. From the very first [issue], every issue of OffBeat reminds me of what it means to miss New Orleans, the only place where I feel at home. Here’s to another 25 years of OffBeat!

—Hans Ewert, Kasbach, Germany