PRIDE ON BOURBON

I have lived in New Orleans for about two years and some of the first gigs I got were on Bourbon Street. At that time, the fare was schlock rock and the goal was to get tips from tourists. Fortunately, after taking a break from Bourbon Street for about a year, I now have a regular gig at Tropical Isle on Orleans Avenue and the goal is to entertain. While we still play covers, we choose what we want to do, (i.e. Meters, Eddie Bo, Toots and the Maytals, Wilco, etc.) and when people pay attention, they appreciate it. The typical Bourbon-goer usually comes and goes.

In order for Bourbon Street to retain its dignity, there needs to be a paradigm shift and the motive for all the clubs to be entertaining, instead of simply turning a maximum profit. I can’t foresee this happening anytime soon because it is due to the appeal of Bourbon Street to tourists that club owners see dollar signs. In short, there is pride on Bourbon Street; you just have to look for it.

—Graham Robinson, New Orleans, LA

UNENLIGHTENED

This is in response to Jan Ramsey’s blog post “Brand It, Dammit,” where she criticizes tourism officials for not understanding the importance of music.—Ed.

While I have become weary of the word “branding” in our lexicon these days, I quite agree that the importance of music to our city is neglected by our benighted leaders. Our city is recognized throughout the world as the birthplace of jazz, but it has been my experience that more Europeans are aware of that than most Americans (who are largely clueless about the music). Consider for example the number of European jazz bands with “New Orleans” in their names. Remember, too, that the Society of American Travel Writers named New Orleans the country’s top music city in 2009. What did our unenlightened tourism officials—or any other local officials, for that matter—make of that? Too many people locally who make decisions about music know virtually nothing about music and, seemingly, have no interest in learning.

—Tom Jacobsen, New Orleans, LA

BLUE LU

Thanks for the article about Blue Lu Barker. I met Lu and Danny Barker in the 1980s when they were still going out on the town, still loved to perform, and were friendly to everyone who met them, real New Orleans hospitality. The uncredited photo of them in their living room was taken by Syndey Byrd, wasn’t it? I used to publish Syndey’s photos in my New Orleans Music Calendar that I put out for several years in the ’80s and ’90s. Syndey is one of New Orleans’ greatest music photographers. It would be nice if OffBeat would do a story on Syndey some time.

—B.B. Kamoroff, Willits, CA

We are pleased to learn and acknowledge that the photo of Danny and Blue Lu Barker found in our archives without attribution was indeed by Syndey Byrd.—Ed.

BEST OF THE BEAT

The “Best of” was wonderful! Food was off the hook! Could have eaten non-stop and my feet still hurt from dancing. Thanks for making it fun.

—Georgina Moore, New Orleans, LA

Just wanted you to know, I had a great time. Yummy food, great music, lots of familiar faces.

—Dawn Edwards, New Orleans, LA

EMOTIONAL OUTLET

Every artist should be personally thanked for their music contributions to the world community. I met Chris and Aaron of Honey Island Swamp Band just as they were forming the band and remain a huge fan. Recently, I got to see Honey Island Swamp Band play at the Roots N Blues BBQ fest in Columbia, Missouri. They had played the night before in Arkansas and with no sleep drove to Columbia, walked onstage and delivered an incredible performance. Later in the evening, they brought the house down at the Blue Note. Let’s face it, these guys, like most musicians, don’t own big houses and fancy cars, but they continue to provide the world with an emotional outlet that all of us need, especially in these hard economic times and world affairs. Bottom line: HISB and all the New Orleans musicians are winners. Thank you New Orleans musicians. Thank you for what you do.

—Jason Burks, Venice, CA