Aaron Neville—one of the majestic voices in American music and the whole world. Keith Richards, a true fan of the Neville Brothers, got me hip about them in an interview in Rolling Stone magazine, when it still could be read. All the Neville family and the Meters, of course, are the core of New Orleans music. Thanks for the review, gonna check it out right away knowing it can’t be nothing less than wonderful.

—Eduardo Szusterman, Mendoza, Argentina

ONLINE AND TUNED IN

The closest I got to New Orleans was in the year my husband and I spent in Pascagoula [Mississippi] back in 1977-78. Had I known then about people like James Booker, I would have tried to get to New Orleans more than the one trip we did make. Had I known about any of the people of New Orleans, in or out of the entertainment world, I would have made a bigger effort. I just wasn’t tuned into it. We grew up in Maryland, lived all over the country as a Navy family, but I had not paid attention to New Orleans and its music. The closest we got to Deep South living was four years in Charleston, South Carolina.

About six years ago, I started tuning in when I tuned into a Seattle area jazz-blues public radio station and heard Dr. John playing. That changed my life. It made me get back to my own piano playing. I haven’t missed a Dr. John appearance in Seattle since then.

Having the online version of OffBeat has been great, allowing me to keep up on things New Orleans. I’ve caught all kinds of New Orleans entertainers in Seattle when they are scheduled here. Right now I’m geared up for Dr. John to see what he has going.

I ordered a copy of The Gravy: In the Kitchen with New Orleans Musicians. How else would I have known about that unless I saw it on the online OffBeat?

—Sally Colt, Camano Island, WA

LONG OVERDUE RECOGNITION

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for hosting such a memorable evening on Friday night [Best of the Beat Awards]. The entire night was outstanding and we very much enjoyed it from start to finish.

While the bands, food and ambiance were all delightful, it was truly a joy to see our local musical legends being honored. One could literally see them come to life and turn back the clock when they were called to perform their signature songs. I particularly enjoyed seeing Clarence “Frogman” Henry approach the stage in his walker only to discard it and deftly direct the band as if he had suddenly shed 40 years. It was also very heartening to see how much each artist truly appreciated receiving this, long overdue, recognition. I’ll never forget Al “Carnival Time” Johnson proudly showing me his awards, a smile beaming across his face.

Please convey my sincere appreciation to everyone who worked to make this night such a beautiful memory. We look forward to next year’s awards!

—Ron Cropper, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

SUPER BACK ISSUES

When I was a kid, my mother decided that I should take instrumental lessons, either piano or accordion. My dad, being the practical and thrifty type that he was, leaned toward accordion. Mind you, this is back in the day of Lawrence Ugh Welk. About a year into the project, my dad asked me if I intended to go on. I think my answer was something like, “Shoot me now.”

Had I known about Cajun or zydeco music, I might have tried, but I was raised in Chicago. As I got older, I became interested in various types of music: classical, folk, a little jazz, roots (rock, blues, boogie, Virginny or British Isles-type stuff and then—ta-da!—Creole, Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop and, for good measure, Quebecois and Eastern Canada roots music).

I have gone through the issues rapidly and cannibalized them for what I want to read: music reviews, pieces on music and musicians, discographies, a few more general pieces and items on the Lafayette area festival(s). Some of the Cajun and zydeco festivals, which I’ve known of for a while, interest me and I need to trek down there to listen sometime.

I think that I got my money’s worth.

—Munn Heydorn, Winfield, IL