BIG ON BIG AL
Suffering from severe depression after the election I turned to the November 2004 issue of OffBeat for some comfort. Marc Stone’s article on Big Al Carson did the trick. It was a well written insightful article that I thought captured the feel of Al and the band quite well. Since I have spent half my musical life in the French Quarter it was nice to see one of the regular Bourbon Street bands get recognized in OffBeat. The article captured the feel of the band and I hope will make locals want to go and see one of the great living blues singers in the world. One thing I would like to point out was not mentioned in the article. The owners of the Funky Pirate Pam Fortner and Earl Bernhardt deserved mentioning. They are tremendous supporters of live music in all their clubs and are fine people to work for. The stability they provide for their musicians give the musicians the security to focus on the music and not to worry if they are going to have a job tomorrow. I think they also provided the money to record Al’s CDs and that is rare for club owners.
Thanks for helping me out of my Bush funk.
—John Autin, New Orleans, LA
BABBLING, RETCHING, DROOLING
It has been pointed out to me that I recently received less than favorable notice in your periodical. I normally subscribe to the point of view that criticism is an occupational risk for the performing musician and consider responses to criticism to be ill considered moments of weakness or the result of inebriation. However I recently had the revelation that musicians do not get paid for being good, rather they are paid for being famous, and in a moment of inspiration it occurred to me that I could milk this opportunity for a few more lines of press in your magazine. Therefore I have conjured up the following responses to the disparaging description of my guitar playing.
My playing was described, as I recall, as babbling and distracting. As for the babbling comment I am somewhat discouraged as I was striving for retching and drooling. As to distracting, well of course it was distracting. I only play in a non-distracting manner when I am receiving sufficient economic recompense for my efforts.
I would also point out that occasionally one encounters vocabulary one doesn’t understand, such as when one is dealing with quantum physics or a foreign language. It is better in such cases to recognize one’s ignorance and not offer commentary. To roughly quote the great philosopher Wittgenstein, “One should not speak of what one doesn’t know.”
—Dr. James Paton “Jimbo” Walsh, New Orleans, LA
In the October 2004 issue of OffBeat, columnist Michael Patrick Welch noted his enthusiasm for the prog band the Other Planets. After praising the “complex but engaging original composition,” Matt McClimon’s vibraphone and Jeff Albert’s tuba and trombone, Welch commented that “Dr. Jimbo Walsh’s guitar is a little too babbly too often—more loud distraction than embellishment…”—Ed.
PASS THE HATCHET, PT. TWO
Just read your interesting article on Eddie Bo [February 2004].
His recollection of the recording of “Pass The Hatchet” is way off. He wasn’t there. I played the drums on that cut, along with Earl Stanley on guitar. Earl composed it on the spot along with his cousin Roger [Leon]. Hector Nieves played bass and did the goofy vocal nonsense in the background.
We “only” recorded that silliness because Roger, whom we’d never met before, wanted to record “something” (anything) and he paid us to do it. No one was more surprised than all of us when the thing got airplay. Kinda grows on ya though.
—Jay Wolfe, Jupiter, FL
Wolfe, a 1963 graduate of East Jefferson High School, drummed with many of Earl Stanley’s groups, including the Stereos, Roger and the Gypsies, the Links and Eddie Powers. He is married to the former Linda Lind, who once reigned as Miss Audubon Park.—Ed.
WEEKEND PLANNING
I have noticed that I am receiving my OffBeat late. Most scheduled functions have already taken place upon receipt. I use your publication to plan our weekends when we come to New Orleans. Please send it to me in a more timely fashion. Thanks. Oh yeah… I do enjoy reading the articles as well.
—Sterling LeJeune, Lafayette, LA
Whereas other magazines publish weeks prior to the publication month, OffBeat is published only days prior to the publication month. We do this to facilitate the accuracy of our club listings, which, as you noted, are an extensively utilized section of the magazine. Our production schedule for 2005 will make it possible for subscribers to receive the magazine by the first or second day of the month. Now if only the U.S. Postal Service would cooperate.—Ed.
A LOTTA BELLONI
I’m sure I speak for Marc Belloni as well as myself when I say “thank you” for the relatively kind remarks about Marc Belloni’s CD Indeed!
I wish to bring to your attention a clarification/correction. While I did in fact play drums on the record, Marc did not play the squealing guitars. Love it or hate it, I was the entire backing band and the producer. Ah, the marvels of digital technology!
I suppose I shouldn’t care… In any case, thank you again for the review.
—Matt Beeson, New Orleans, LA
SUBSCRIBE OR DIE!
I had the good fortune to get a year of OffBeat as a gift, and now that it’s time to renew the subscription, I’m going to take over paying for it myself. I received a renewal form in the mail, and it talks about the free CD, but it describes the 2003 CD, which I already have. Is there, or will there be, a free 2004 CD with different material on it? If so, will I receive the new one if I renew my subscription now?
—Jim Sparks, Nashville, TN
OffBeat subscribers receive a free unique compilation CD of Louisiana music for each year of their paid subscription. Subscribers always receive the most current CD. The 2004 compilation will be available in December 2004 and will be immediately sent to new and renewing subscribers.
The 2004 compilation will be like experiencing the Fair Grounds in your living room. Entitled Fun Time: Live At The 2004 Jazz Fest, the CD features sizzling (and extended) tracks from Eric Lindell, Anders Osborne, John Mooney, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Astral Project, the Radiators, Tab Benoit, Troy Andrews and Allen Toussaint.
Incidentally, Successful Meetings Magazine, a trade publication for the convention industry, and Michael Paoletta, a critic with Billboard, have named OffBeat’s Louisiana Music 2003 CD the best of the year, giving the CD a perfect “10” their highest rating.—Ed.
