COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT OFFBEAT
Just a coincidence I’m sure that the OffBeat email [The Weekly Beat] arrived just as I was printing out the Eric Lindell contract. He will play here in Unity, Maine on January 27, 2007.

I read my snail mail issue cover to cover and I buy albums (last month Terrance Simien and the Flaming Lips) and I book bands based on your reviews and articles. Couldn’t do it without you.

—Jean Bourg, Unity, ME

MUSIC AT ANGELI’S
I can’t tell you how jarring it is to see Apple Barrel leading off the “Music This Weekend: In the Clubs” column in the Weekly Beat! Nothing against the Apple Barrel, which is a fine club, but I’m so accustomed to seeing Angeli’s with the Jazz Vipers in the first position. Because I’m a subscriber to OffBeat, I know the score. Angeli’s must not make 51 percent of its revenue on food (which surprises me, since the food there is great), so it doesn’t qualify as a restaurant. Then, that makes it a bar. A bar can’t have music on Decatur Street.

What is the world coming to, New Orleans? Though I live in Connecticut and Boston, I’m just going to have to visit to find out. See you at the French Quarter Festival, and I’ll hope to find music when I swing by Angeli’s after some pleasant hours at Molly’s! Best wishes to you all,

—Tom Schneiter, Cambridge, MA

As Katy Reckdahl’s story “Playing Under the Radar” [OffBeat, December 2006] explains, the problem at Angeli on Decatur wasn’t the restaurant/bar distinction, but that it didn’t have a permit for live music. We’re with you, though, and have a hard time understanding codes that limit live music on Decatur Street.—Ed.

THE LONG DEPARTED
I’m not sure why I renewed my subscription as all it does is make me crazy! I lived down there for about 10 years and OD’d on the music. I live in the boonies now—beautiful, but a long way from the long departed, but greatly missed New Show Case Lounge. OffBeat gets me there vicariously, and alerts me to sounds. Thanks.

—Dave Davidson, Corinth, NY

I am a subscriber, first off. Secondly, I am a native New Orleanian. There aren’t too many magazines that I can say I read from cover to cover. OffBeat just so happens to be one of those magazines. Yeah fuhtrue!

—Robin Dorante, Bronx, NY

CHANGED FOREVER
Lots of other people have said it in so many ways and I can only add that I think you [Jan Ramsey] and Joe [Irrera, OffBeat] have done and continue to do a fantastic job in the circumstance.

I feel so sad that the city I love has been so damaged and the lives of so many people changed forever.
All being well, I will be in town for Jazz Fest 2007 and hope to be able to say hello in person.

—Ed Ievers, London, England

BUYING GUIDE
I was wondering if someone could send me the link to your list of “Best CDs of 2005”? I can’t find it on the Web site anywhere. I use your list of CDs as a buying guide but missed the article a few issues ago. Any help is appreciated!

—Greg Harwood, Raritan, NJ

Our Best CDs of 2005 are not on our Web site. You can purchase the January 2006 issue which contains the list from our Web site at OffBeat.com.