SUPERB
The piece you did [Bunny Matthews] on the Ninth Ward is superb—really so. Bravo!
—S. Frederick Starr, Chairman, Central Asia-Caucasus Institute,
John Hopkins University, Washington, DC
A LIVING, DRIVING LEGEND
On a slow night at Check Your Bucket, Eddie Bo displayed not only his wonted excellent musicianship, but jaw-dropping graciousness. Not only did he and his superb band came back after break to perform a full second set for an audience they outnumbered; afterward, Mr. Bo forbade this out-of-towner and his companion from calling a cab. Instead, the living legend drove us to our hotel himself! I loved the music; now I love the man. Thanks, Eddie!
—Paul Zoltan, Dallas, TX
THE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE UNIVERSE
I subscribed on line on July 15 and I received the first issue with the CD yesterday the 17th. I was surprised to receive it so soon! Thanks. I have been reading OffBeat for years. I have been going to Jazz Fest annually since 1979 and pick up an OffBeat as soon as I hit the streets to check out what is going on, but I have never been a subscriber. Just reading the music listings makes me want to hop on a Southwest flight here in Ft. Lauderdale and in two hours I would be in NOLA, the music capital of the world, possibly the entire universe! In fact didn’t ole K-Doe, Mr. Naugahyde himself, say that “I’m not sure but I am almost positive that all music started in New Orleans.” And he was right!
I think that the subscription also comes with a free poster of the French Quarter music festival. Will that be shipped separately?
As we say down here in South Florida, walk good!
—Terry Moon, Weston, FL
Your subscription comes with a free CD, not a French Quarter Festival poster. You can purchase for a mere $6.00, including postage, the 20th Anniversary French Quarter Festival Program which comes equipped with its own CD featuring cuts from Tim Laughlin, Jon Cleary, Evan Christopher, Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Dr. Michael White, Leroy Jones, Joseph Torregano, and many others. To order your copy dial toll-free 1-877-944-4300.—Ed.
BEATLE BOB DEFENDS HIMSELF
This is letter is in response to the two critical missives directed towards me in the July issue. If both Bill Bowman and Rick Williams had read my letter more carefully, they both should have noted that I was denied in my request for PRESS TICKETS, (as well as dozens of my fellow journalistic friends who have faithfully covered Jazz Fest for years). You see fellas, you get these press passes and then you write a review of Jazz Fest. It’s called a job. Now whether either of you think that this is gainful employment is another matter. The point is that I never requested free comp tickets because I’m this Beatle Bob character.
As for Bill Bowman’s comment on my “air-conducting” dance moves being a total distraction, one wonders how he must have felt seeing dozens of those superb Cajun dancers shakin’ it up in front of the Fais Do-Do stage; and hundreds of hoof-shakers gettin’ down in the aisles of the Lagnaippe Stage; not to mention the horrific expression that must have hit poor Billy’s face when he witnessed thousands of dancin’ infernos slippin’ and slidin’ to the Congo Stage sounds. The point is Bill, the reason thousands of us Jazz Festers invade the Big Easy each year is because we consider New Orleans to be home to the greatest music festival in the world and land of the freedom to express ourselves in whichever way you wish. And if you can’t understand that then it’s best for you hang out at one of those trendy tourist trap Bourbon Street clubs where you belong and let us folk-art-polewavers, communal-blanket-squatters, frat-boy shouters, and air-conducters do our thing. And by the way, as far as your wish for me not to get close to you during Jazz Fest, I wouldn’t dare be seen dancing next to a deadbeat such as yourself.
And finally, a message to Rick Williams. Yes, I agree to your statement that I have nothing in common with the Fab Four, in terms of greatness. However, there is currently a documentary being made about me and I just recently signed a licensing deal that will see a line of Beatle Bob Mardi Gras beads come out by the end of the year. Also look for the upcoming Dash Rip Rock single—“Do The Beatle Bob”—which will released sometime this fall with the B-side co-written by Dash’s Bill Davis and yours truly. And as far as your suggestion for me to take some dance lessons; as Ringo Starr said to me in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in St. Louis, the day after he saw me dancing to his entire show, “Man, we should take you on the road with us!” And finally a couple of quick asides, Rick, if you consider Cowboy Mouth to be nothing but a mere college party band, how come every year at Jazz Fest I see thousands of their fans flippin’ out to their ROCKIN’ shindig, with a high percentage of them being 30-something and older. And your incredulously ignorant statement about New Orleans only producing three great musical artists that have ever made it big spits on the grave of Ernie K-Doe as well as other great New Orleans musicians both living and dead that have made their way to fame throughout the world.
—Beatle Bob, St. Louis, MO
A DIET OF RAZOR SOUP
How I have made it to the ripe old age of 53 without ever writing a letter to an editor I will never know, but I just couldn’t let this pass by.
I recently renewed my subscription to OffBeat after letting it slide for a month or so, and I was really dumbfounded by the review of Steve Conn’s new CD that waited for me when I received my first copy, this month. As a writer myself, I certainly respect Mr. [James] Bailey’s right to his own opinion, but what amazed me was how far offBase his review seemed. It was almost as if he had not listened to the CD at all.
According to Mr. Bailey, “the subject matter has been covered one too many times.” Well, it’s been said that there is nothing new, just deviation, but with songs like “I’ve Got Your Dog,” “Polishing Chrome.” “Down On Rigolette” and “Eliana” I really can’t, for the life of me, see how these gems have been covered ever before?
To top it all off, Mr. Bailey writes, “ too commonplace to spark any real emotion.” Shame on you, Mr. Bailey, for not listening to “Beautiful” and feeling the ache and out-and-out helplessness of an abused woman, or believing that frogs can fly after hearing “All the Kings Men,” or feeling the depth of utter despair and loneliness after hearing “Comfort Me.” And for goodness sake, “Polishing Chrome” is as new, fresh, and compelling as they come.
Mr. Bailey’s diet must consist entirely of razor soup.
—Bill Thames, Ormond Beach, FL
A WORK OF ART
I live on Tupelo Street in the Lower Ninth Ward. Your recent Ninth Ward article [by Bunny Matthews] was itself a work of art. I moved to Tupelo Street because of the cheaper rents. And me, being a musician made this area very attractive to me. I had no idea of the history or the great musicians who live there now or in the past. I think the Great Grandaddy of Music sends his children to the Ninth Ward when they have that certain extra-special song or melody.
—George Turney Watkins, New Orleans, LA
