WAITING FOR JESUS

I really do wish you and the rest of your staff would stop criticizing our wonderful politicians (state and local) businessmen (anyone who has anything to do with the music business that is not a musician), police department or anyone in a position of authority over us local musicians and even the local authorities of the Catholic Church (just wait until Jesus get his hands on them), not very Christian people I must say. (I am a graduate of Cor Jesu and a Catholic.)

Miss Ramsey, you say you are New Orleans “born and bred.” Well, so am I (if you cut me, I bleed purple, green and gold), and if you are, you know that New Orleans musicians are known throughout the world as THE MOST soulful players on the planet. Well, how do you think we get that way?

If it were not for these above mentioned leaders of our fine city, we would not be overtaxed, cheated, and harassed, all of which contributes to that legendary New Orleans soul.

So, Miss Ramsey, I implore you–PLEASE–stop criticizing these people–we need them–the soulfulness of our musicianship depends on them, for without them (God forbid) we might even have some success. Then where would we be?

–Harry Ravain, Rayne, LA

AN EARLY INSPIRATION

The “10 Years Ago In OffBeat” segment of the January issue came as a bit of a shock. Has it really been a decade since Jan Ramsey dispatched that long-haired novice writer, deep into his requisite Hunter S. Thompson phase, to Bourbon Street in search of The Truth? Apparently so. I’m forever grateful to Jan for giving me that opportunity to write and, eventually, get paid for it.

Thanks also to Bunny Matthews, an early inspiration. The rock ‘n’ roll scrapbook I kept in junior high contains a yellowed article torn from the pages of The Times-Picayune in the summer of 1982. The article is a post-mortem on a Blondie concert at the LSU Assembly Center in Baton Rouge–my first arena rock show. I was 14 at the time; the author of that article, a certain Bunny Matthews, was, I suspect, several years longer in the tooth. I was dazzled by the insider-knowledge and inherent hipness of this mysterious writer with the exotic first name. Who was he? How did he land such a cool job? And what’s up with that name?

Seventeen years later, and I’m still wondering…

–Keith Spera, Times-Picayune Music Writer, New Orleans, LA

P.S. Give my best to Vic and Nat’ly.

PUCKERING UP FOR A NOMINATION?

So I’m looking through the Best of the Beat ballot and I see Joy Buzzer nominated for Best “New” Band. I find this mildly amusing seeing as I played drums for them back in 1994!! They gave me the heave-ho for playing “too loud,” after which I went on moderate fame and zero fortune with the beloved Dash Rip Rock. Heartwarming, no? Either which way, I just wanted to let y’all know that Joy Buzzer isn’t even REMOTELY new although I, personally, find their nomination hilarious. No hard feelings.

P.S. Whose ass do I have to kiss to get a “best drummer” nomination?

–Kyle Melancon

Since the nominations are determined by balloting the groups and individuals listed in the Louisiana Music Directory (LMD), our suggestion is to obtain a copy of the latest LMD and pucker up!–Ed.

LIMITATIONS

I have just submitted my ballot in your best of the year contest. I was very disappointed at the limited choices from which I had to choose. I could hardly vote because I don’t feel the selections came even close to representing the true amount of local talent. In particular, I was quite amused and dismayed at the three selections for cover band. Other than the Topcats, if you people feel the other two selections truly represent the best local talent, you guys need to get out more. Where is the Luther Kent Band? Where is Brian [sic] Lee Band? Where is Blind Ambition? Where is Harvey Jesus and Fyre? Where is the newest inductee to The Louisiana Hall of Fame, the Nobles? Where is Jubilation? Or have you ever heard of any of these bands? The other two selections can only be that you don’t want them to WIN anything, you want to GIVE it to them. The real way to do this type of contest would be a write-in.

Please don’t limit the selections to your personal friends! For that is the only reason these other two could be included, it is obviously not a contest for musical ability, because if that was your reason for their being selected, you ever have really heard either of them. Believe me, as a local music aficionado, there are tens of local bands that should be considered before you would get that far down the list to see either of the two other selections, and contrary to your guys, I HAVE heard both them. In order for your contest to have real creditability, next year, you should ask for nominations, then go and actually listen, don’t just list your friends.

Your mission as a local music publication should be to promote all local music and musicians, in particular, the very best of it, these two selections sadly do not reflect anything close to that.

–Unsigned, letter postmarked New Orleans, LA

While we do not usually print or respond to unsigned letters, we would like to take this opportunity to clarify the nominating procedure for the annual “Best Of The Beat” awards. Any individual listed in the Louisiana Music Directory can make nominations. Since these individuals are Louisiana music professionals, it is our belief that they have the best “handle” on what is happening musically in Louisiana. No one is going to agree with all their choices, including the editorial staff of OffBeat.–Ed.

ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

I have just finished filling out my Best of the Beat ballot. I very much appreciate the fact that New Orleans has such a diverse musical history, and a publication that represents it quite well. My only complaint? It seems that OffBeat ignores the hard rock/metal genre of music that is part of New Orleans and continues to grow. Why is this? Bands such as Lillian Axe recently released a new album, and Zebra still plays the local circuit. And what about bands such as Crowbar, Soilent Green, Near Life Experience, Floodgate, Choke, etc. (the list is long)?? These bands all are major players in the hard rock/metal scene.

If the rock category of the Best of the Beat is any indication, the above mentioned bands don’t fit in. I urge you to include Hard Rock / Metal as a category in the Best of the Beat. There are a lot of bands, albums, clubs, and always new bands that deserve the respect that has been given to the other New Orleans artists. In fact, I remember when Rap was added to the list, and look at the New Orleans rap industry now!! It’s too bad Karen Cortello isn’t writing the “Street” column anymore. She is the only writer that did the local rap scene any justice. Maybe you need a writer (or two) that knows a little about the hard rock/metal scene. There’s a lot of albums to be reviewed, and a lot of bands with a story. Please consider this for the new year.

–Jay Pelham, Brainfreeze Entertainment, Metairie, LA

McPHATTER CHATTER

It was a big disappointment for me to read your [Mr. Rawls] review of Aaron Neville’s Soulful Christmas. I have about fifteen Christmas CDs and it is by far my favorite. I have probably bought a half dozen and have given them to friends because I liked it so much. They, too, said it was their favorite. Maybe this is a testimony to our uneducated ears, but we are who buy the CDs.

You were mistaken in writing about Elvis’s “What a Night,” it is Clyde McPhatter’s “Such a Night.” Aaron even tells us in the beginning of this song, say’s he’s going to put on a record by Clyde McPhatter.

Did you really listen to this CD?.

–Minta C. Bowers, San Ramon, CA

APOSTOLIC

My monthly issue is balm to the soul at each arrival, only bested by annual spiritual pilgrimages to Jazz Fest.

Keep more articles coming like the December interview with Jon Cleary “OffBeat Tracks,” where a veteran player reacts to ten or so CDs spun by the OffBeat writer. Many readers are semi-knowledgeable music fans who are interested in the subtleties, history and influences of various genres of Louisiana music. But probably most of us don’t have formal music training, can’t read charts, and haven’t paid studying dues to the extent that the real apostles of the faith–the full-time, professional and performing musicians–have done on our behalf.

I’d love to see this as a monthly feature. For variation, y’all could have out-of-town and out-of-country music gurus comment on lesser-known Louisiana CDs and tracks. (Ship ’em some CDs, sure they’ll talk on the phone!)

Keep up the fantastic work.

–Henry W. (Hank) Jones, III, Austin, TX

AUTHENTICITY

I receive upwards of 20 magazines a month here, but every month the Letters and “Mojo Mouth” sections of OffBeat Magazine get read the same day the magazine arrives. How else am I supposed to stay apprised of what’s going on in the Crescent City?

I’m writing in response to Dave Thurston’s letter in the January issue. Indeed, the blues scene in New Jersey is extremely healthy and there are many talented acts and now more than a dozen clubs where blues acts can play. To Mr. Thurston of Somerville, New Jersey, I can assure you that Chris Vincent, who is white, is not a “rocker turned bluesman,” as is speculated in your letter.

As he explained it to me in several interviews, Mr. Vincent learned blues from a neighbor in his native Bayonne, New Jersey. His singing and playing are as authentic and heartfelt as anything you’ll hear from our African-American brothers and sisters in the blues community.

P.S. Why no editorial response to Terry O’ Riordan’s letter in January issue asking y’all to publish a list of politicians in New Orleans and Louisiana, so that all of us supporters of New Orleans music from other locations can write to complain about the local crackdowns?

–Richard Skelly, Low-Budget Blues Program, WRSU-FM, New Brunswick, NJ

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’?

I’d like to express my gratitude to OffBeat for all the informative and entertaining articles which have been written about Louisiana musicians over the years. My favorite was the cover story on Snooks Eaglin which appeared in February of 1995. Needless to say, I still have my copy of that issue!

I am writing this letter because I will be moving from New Orleans in mid-February. I have spent the past ten years in this wonderful city. Overall, they have been the greatest years of my life. Moving away from New Orleans will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I could not possibly put into words how much I adore this city. I love everything that is New Orleans. Unfortunately, I have certain goals I’ve not been able to achieve here. I’m being drawn to California in search of my dreams…

Before I depart, I’d like to thank all the wonderful friends I have made over the years. The people of New Orleans are the most joyous, loving, generous and celebratory people in the world. I will miss you all, and will be thinking of you constantly.

I also want to thank every New Orleans musician. They have enhanced my life in so many ways. They have given me so much joy and pleasure, and have inspired many frenzied dances late into the night. The musicians are the heart and soul of New Orleans. They are truly our greatest gift, one for which I will be eternally grateful. I want to send a special thanks to papa Snooks and his wife Dee, Michael Ray and the entire Cosmic Krewe, the Dirty Dozen, the Nightcrawlers, Tipitina’s, the Louisiana Music Factory (for the awesome Saturday afternoon parties), Don, and Niji. I love you all. Take care New Orleans. I’ll see you at Jazz Fest. I can be reached by E-mail at: [email protected].

–Susan Wetzel, New Orleans, LA

NEXT TO THE BOG?

Well, New Year’s Eve day here in UK, its pissing down with rain here, flooding in biblical proportions, and windy? It’s so windy when I was staggering home from the pub last night in the village I saw something which looked like a rubber glove, but it was barking at me, guess what it was? A dog that had been blown inside out!

Well, anyway never mind here, still have my favourite OffBeats next to the bog (toilet bowl) miss New Orleans, miss all my Uptown mates, and all the sounds too, and what no Tiny Town no more?? and no more Beau Jocque, But at least Cleary is still around and the Maple Leaf Monsters. Anyway just a quick note to say high to say, Happy New Year to all of the Uptown Monsters, all the music makers, all the birds (nice women), and all who make that town something I miss so much, Happy New Year, hope this gets to you before the end of the world happens. Take care.

–Alan Bevington, Billingshurst, West Sussex, UK

HOWLIN’

Hello, I’m writing to you in reference to your survey for my favorite music clubs. I love the Mermaid best of them all but I have to admit, my favorite club was not on your list. Why? The Howlin’ Wolf is by far the best club in town. They have the best shows for the best price. Why are they not on your survey? Please take my request into consideration. Thank you for your time.

–Whitney Marie, via email

FILL HER UP

I was glad to read about Idris Muhammad in the January issue of OffBeat. A while back, I saw an interview with Aaron and Art Neville. Idris Muhammad was mentioned, but I had never heard of him. Thanks for filling me in!

—Lynda Draudt, Hamburg, NY