TEARS OF JOY
Maybe it’s the two glasses of wine I just drank, but Bonnie [Raitt]’s comments [Backtalk, December 2013] about Allen Toussaint making her want to be a classier woman brought tears of joy to my eyes. Bless them both.
—Gail Cowling, Los Angeles, CA
EXPOSING BOOKER
On Sunday, I was fortunate enough to attend the third sold-out London screening of Bayou Maharajah in a week.
I’m sure you will agree that it’s a remarkable film but it has also, almost single-handedly, served to enhance the profile and reputation of arguably the most talented, and perhaps the most colorful, of the many and varied characters that helped create the music that is still so important to the culture of New Orleans today.
Not only was there a rave review of the movie in a national daily newspaper, there was also a one-hour special focusing entirely on James Booker on national BBC Radio.
It’s so gratifying to see that Booker and his music are no longer merely the preserve of older musos/nerds (some might even include me in that category!) and that new generations are being exposed to it.
—Marc G. Engel, Golders Green, London, UK
FACTORY MOVES TO FRENCHMEN
The following is in response to our web post “Louisiana Music Factory Moves To Frenchmen Street”—Ed.
Great news! It was nearly impossible to park and shop at the old location. Frenchmen Street will be a game changer for them and for the whole scene. Cheers to Barry and his krewe!
—Michael Dominici, New Orleans, LA
FRENCHMEN OR BOURBON?
The following letters are in response to Jan Ramsey’s blog post “Frenchmen Street and the Changing Scenery” wherein she states, “The Frenchmen Street that was, is definitely no more.”—Ed.
I’m a frequent visitor/tourist to New Orleans who discovered Frenchmen Street about five years ago. It’s dismaying to think of Frenchmen Street morphing into Bourbon Street. Whenever I visit a city, I always seek out places the locals go—does that make me part of the problem? Am I ruining it for the locals?
—Chris Bertram, Louisville, KY
That’s the eternal New Orleans question, Chris. I just was in New Orleans (on business, honestly) for the 18th time since 1998, seventh since Katrina. My first time on Frenchmen Street was Snug Harbor (New Orleans Nightcrawlers) in 1999, so that must have been right when OffBeat was moving in. I’ve been back, mainly to Snug, many times since. The last time, I was stunned by the Bourbon-Street-like crowds and atmosphere. Did out-of-towners spoil the funky charm of Frenchmen Street? Of course they did. But they also help crowd the Maple Leaf on Tuesdays, Cochon Butcher every day, Willie Mae’s Scotch House, and on and on. As long as the economy of New Orleans depends so heavily on tourism, this pattern, though poignant for locals and those outsiders who try very hard to “get” New Orleans, is pretty much inevitable.
The obvious prediction is that the Bywater will become the new Marigny, especially if the proposed Rampart-St. Claude streetcar gets built and the riverfront park is extended around the curve.
Keep reading OffBeat, Chris, pay attention to Tom Fitzmorris’ New Orleans Menu site [nomenu.com], get out of the Quarter, and you still will find places catering to locals. If it makes you feel better, this same phenomenon has been occurring in Chicago for decades. Old Town, New Town, Maxwell Street, Pilsen, Streeterville, Near West Side—all either totally gone or de-funked and gentrified. But also humming with activity.
—Mark Eckel, Crystal Lake, IL
NEVER STOPPED SMILING
Just wanted to say that I think this month’s issue [December 2013] was one of your best ever. Can’t point to any one thing, but it took me several hours to read it and I never stopped smiling. Keep up the great work.
—Mark Hughes, Ashton, MD
Editor, OffBeat Publications
421 Frenchmen St., Suite 200
New Orleans, LA 70116
