Disturbing Ordinary Sensibilities
I am friend of many of the people who play music in Jackson Square and in other areas of the French Quarter. Recently the Senate passed House Bill 909 restricting the right to play. The bill reads in part: “prohibits the playing of sound producing devices in a public street park or other place THAT IS LIKELY TO DISTURB PERSONS OF ORDINARY SENSIBILITIES.” In Jackson Square, the music has to stop at 8 p.m. just when it is starting to cool off. That is disturbing enough but the way the law reads now it can be used to eliminate the music altogether. We plan on putting up a web site for street musicians and performers, to help them have a voice and help in establishing resources and information. They are often the disempowered but they are a true resource to New Orleans.
Just ask any tourist recently: the French Quarter has undergone a change. There are lots more condos. I feel that some people tend to buy into an area then use their money and influence to make it like they want it instead of asking, can I fit in here? Greenwich Village in New York, for example, and Georgetown, D.C. If this happens in New Orleans it would be a tragedy affecting an important part of our culture.
I’d like know when the right to play music in the Square and in the Quarter started. I know some time has passed since Danny Barker played the streets of New Orleans as well as much other great live music, the point being that the music was there before many of these people came. If it’s disturbing, go elsewhere. New Orleans French Quarter will never resemble a suburb. It is truly not for everyone so people really should consider if it is the appropriate place before they come. I know some complainants are probably long time residents as well but I still say be nice or leave. Any information you can add or any resources you can refer us to would be appreciated. Thanks for a fine magazine.
Linda Scott, Square Rat
Hi, as requested in your article, I wrote a letter and faxed it to Governor Foster. I hope that I put everything important in it. FYI-this is what I wrote:
July 27, 1999
Dear Governor Foster:
I am a Louisiana resident, currently living in Kenner. I am presently an Internet Web Site Developer and computer consultant. I grew up in New Orleans, primarily New Orleans East. I am writing to encourage you to veto Senate Bill 909, which I believe is also called the Quiet Zone bill.
I love New Orleans, and Louisiana. I consider our musical heritage and offerings so special and of tremendous value. I never miss an opportunity to take out-of-town company to the French Quarter to soak up the sounds and flavor of the city. This place is unique and splendid. I am saddened and afraid of what it will mean to enforce this type of law on the musical performers. Another beautiful part of living here is the mellow and “laid-back” atmosphere, not the rigidity that can be found in other areas of the country. Our millions and millions of tourist dollars and tourist feedback are certainly an offer of proof of the value of our atmosphere.
I can thoroughly understand that music which is played too loud is inappropriate, but I do not understand how being sent to jail is an appropriate consequence for that crime. From what I understand, the offender was originally to be fined for the offense, and somehow this turned into a frightening threat of jail time. Something doesn’t seem quite right about this.
I would also question how the 55 decibel rule was achieved. I have purchased a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter Cat. No. 33-2050 which includes a booklet with a guide to typical sound levels. This booklet lists “conversation” at between 60 and 70 dB.
I love walking in the Quarter and hearing the sax players and the guitar players and jazz trios, etc. I also love to watch the artists painting at Jackson Square. I fear that one day our verbal exclamations of wonder and delight will be grounds for “jail time” because someone doesn’t like it.
Please veto the bill in its current form, and ask that they re-evaluate it. I would appreciate this very much.
Thank you for your interest and help.
Connie A. Zimmermann, Kenner LA
As reported in the July issue, Governor Foster signed Senate Bill 909 into law. Whether or not it is enforced remains to be seen. Several lawyers have announced that they plan to contest the law. We will keep you informed. Ed.
Sweeping Up
This is Moïse Viator, and I just wanted to write and thank you for the great article and CD review. We were so excited to see ourselves complimented so well in a highly respected magazine like OffBeat. It is so nice to see people enjoy something that you put so much time and effort into. We wanted to make a really special CD that would bring back into light all of the music of our area that has been swept under the rug and forgotten.
Thanks to y’all, we are going to have our CD put into the Louisiana Music Factory, and we are even going to do an in-store performance sometime in September.
Moïse Viator
Overlooking Blues
I am really enjoying the Bluesworthy column. Thank you OffBeat, for promoting the culture of the blues; too often overlooked!! Great site, all in all. Keep up the good work.
Carol A. Bourgeois, via email
We appreciate your kind words concerning the column now penned by Robert Fontenot. We have always believed that there was life after Scott Jordan. Ed.
Vicarious Withdrawal
I lived in New Orleans for the past four years while attending Tulane University. I’ve become addicted to the New Orleans music scene and everything that has spawned off of it. At the end of every month I would run to the PJs on campus in hopes that the new edition of OffBeat had arrived, so I could learn more about the new-to-me music and its rich history. I’ve only been gone for three months and I’m already suffering from withdrawal. One way to maintain my connection to the music that I fell in love with is to subscribe to your wonderful magazine. I look forward to vicariously getting back into the scene through OffBeat, whose articles never cease to interest and even fascinate me. Eagerly looking forward to next month’s OffBeat!
David Rosen, Tuscaloosa, AL
It’s Raining Cellophane
It’s great to see a web site like yours. It brings back many good memories. I’ve been a recording engineer for some 38 years, starting back in 1961 at Cosimo’s recording studio when he was on Gov. Nichols St. just off Decatur St. I worked with Cosimo during some of the heydays of the New Orleans music scene. I was the engineer on the AFO Executives with Tammy Lynn, Irma Thomas, Barbara George’s “I Know”, Barbara Lynn’s “If You Lose Me You’ll Lose a Good Thing,” Fats Domino, Esquerita, Ernie K-Doe, Benny Spellman, Dave Bartholomew, “New Orleans House Party” album, Frankie Ford, etc. I could go on and on. Great days!
After moving to Houston, Texas around 1966, I met and started working with country singer Mickey Gilley of “Gilley’s Club” fame in Pasadena Texas. I designed and built his recording studio next to Gilley’s Club in 1976 and worked as the manager and chief engineer of the studio until it closed around 1988.
I’m now located in Lake Charles still doing a few sessions, computer audio editing and graphic work for CD booklets and inserts. I’m working with a very old and dear friend of mine named Eddie Shuler, owner of Goldband Records, in business since 1944. He was the first person to record Dolly Parton when she was 13 years old. He recorded and owns publishing on such great songs as “Sugar Bee”, and owns part publishing on Phil Phillips’ “Sea Of Love.” He is now about 85 years old and he and his wife still run a record shop and his publishing company (TEC Publishing with over 14,000 titles) from his store here in Lake Charles.
I now run two web sites, one for me and one for Goldband Records. My site is called “Pure Cajun Products” (www. purecajun.com) and I sell Louisiana foods, drinks, spices, and posters, etc. Check out some of my music business pictures on my web site. On the home page you’ll see a small picture of me with the text, “Meet Bert Frilot, recording engineer, record producer and owner of Pure Cajun Products.” Click on that picture and you’ll get to my personal page with pictures of me with Willie Nelson, John Travolta (when we recorded some of the sound track for the “Urban Cowboy” movie at Gilley’s), Kenny Rogers, Johnny Lee, Charlie Daniels Band, Jerry Lee Lewis and several others.
The other web site is for Goldband Records (www. purecajun.com/goldband).
Here’s some trivia for you. I recorded the Irma Thomas song “It’s Raining” when I worked at Cosimo’s Studio in the early 60s. How did we get that raining sound effect on the front of that sound? We used the cellophane paper from a cigarette pack and recorded the sound as we crumbled it up in front of a microphone.
Keep up the great work.
Bert Frilot, Lake Charles, LA
Get Down Under
This is to extend my subscription for another 12 months. I am honored to note that you are using my slogan “Gumbo for the Mind” on the cover. It makes me feel even closer to New Orleans and your magazine. I’ve been to four of the last six Jazz Fests and will be making the 26-hour trip again next year. See you then!!! Keep up the good work and “laissez les bon temps rouler.” Best wishes and congratulations on one of the best music magazines in the world. P.S. I hope my re-subscription is in time to be included in the draw for the 100 CD’s. Can’t wait for the next installment in your Festival CDs for subscribers.
Trevor Dodd, South Australia, Australia
Turning On
I was hoping to be living in New Orleans by now, but since that is still a little way into the future, please find the enclosed $70 for 2 first class subscriptions-one for me and one for a friend. I enjoyed a subscription a couple years ago-a new one will help me stay excited about moving there. I hope my friend and I both get a copy of the compilation Festival CD from my former subscription. I got a CD and got turned on to Anders Osborne, Sunpie Barnes and several other artists. Keep up the good work.
Terry Moore, Richmond, VA
Nothing warms our hearts more than directing our subscribers to previously unknown (to them) musical territory. We hope you’ll discover some new gems on our “Festival ’99” CD. Ed.
Tapped Out
We at Hymel’s Seafood Restaurant would like to thank Mr. Ross [OffBeat “Chassez de Faim” July 99] for the article about us. The only thing in his piece that was inaccurate was about the Dixie on tap. Although that was a long time ago, and we still have it available in the long neck bottle, we have Bud and Miller Lite on tap now. I don’t want to take away from one of the best articles I’ve seen about us in a long time. If Mr. Ross is ever down this way again, please say hello.
Roy Hernandez, Hymel’s Seafood Restaurant
Long Island Lenny
My wife and I were standing by the Washington Artillery Monument when we heard this fabulous music coming from Jackson Square stage. It was the 1998 French Quarter Festival and Lenny McDaniel was performing. We have been hooked ever since. We enjoy a lot of different music from NOLA, but Lenny McDaniel just stands out.
FQF 1999 was approaching and we were going. We enjoyed the sights and sounds of New Orleans all week long and finished our visit with seeing Lenny McDaniel.
We have become friends with Lenny and have found out how difficult it is for NOLA musicians to break out nationally.
I decided to sell Lenny’s disc in my wine shop. That’s right-my wine shop! In two months, I sold 100 copies of the Blues Side and Tired Angels! Apparently, there’s a niche for Lenny on Long Island! Virgin and Tower, are you listening?
It would be nice to see OffBeat and Mayor Marc Morial put together their version of Austin City Limits with local musicians only, with Lenny McDaniel performing the inaugural bash!
Best wishes to NOLA and all her wonderful musicians.
Rob Stauber, Long Island, NY
While we applaud the idea of a New Orleans version of Austin City Limits, we’re busy enough putting out this magazine every month. And Mayor Morial, in between his other duties, is, as the Dixie Cups once sang, “going to the chapel.” Louisiana Jukebox may be coming to the New York area soon. Keep checking OffBeat for details. Ed.
Leroy Vinnegar R.I.P.
As a subscriber to OffBeat and an avid fan of the gift of New Orleans music I feel the need to share some sad news with you and friends in the city of New Orleans. On Tuesday August 3, Mr. Leroy Vinnegar died at the age of 71.
Leroy moved to Portland, Oregon in 1986 and was regarded by jazz fans as the center of Portland’s jazz community. He believed in and supported his fellow musicians so many ways. Recently, he humbly volunteered to serve as greeter and doorman for the weekly performances of the Carlton Jackson/Dave Mills big band. He merely hoped that by lending his name to these performances it might draw a greater audience. Leroy has been in poor health for quite a while and found it necessary to use bottled oxygen even during his performances.
In the ’50s and ’60s he lived in Los Angeles, recording and playing with Stan Getz and Chet Baker. He was a self-taught musician and gained the reputation as the “King Of The Walking Bass.”
I felt it appropriate to send this information to you since Leroy had many fans in New Orleans. Many world-renowned artists would seek out Leroy Vinnegar gigs when in Portland. You may recognize some of them Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr., George Benson, Red Mitchell, Shannon Powell. Leroy will be missed and remembered by many.
Jim Adair, Portland OR
Little Walter And Jelly Roll’s Mother
Thank you so very much for the great review and article on me in your August issue. My wife and I were thrilled by the kind words of praise from Robert Fontenot and the amount of space given by your great magazine.
I would like to say two things: 1) There will never be another Little Walter and all blues harmonica players owe him a huge debt for his incredible innovations. 2) My mother, not my aunt, lives in LaPlace, LA. She is 76 years young and still going strong.
Thanks again for keeping the Louisiana Music flame burning brightly.
Jelly Roll Johnson, Nashville, TN
