THE GRAVY
I just had to let you know, I made Irma’s [Irma Thomas] macaroni and cheese last night for a crowd and everyone was wowed! Thanks for sharing!

—Georgia Rhody, Event Specialists of New Orleans, LLC, New Orleans, LA

ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE
First of all, you are NOT an “old broad”—you are a “vintage chick!” (From one to another, I must say—and we do improve with each year!)

Briefly, your comments about the “shallowness” of music, acquisition of knowledge and the culture in general are all so very, very true; however, not perceived as such by many of those under a certain age who know no other way to interact with knowledge than the Internet and quick sound bytes. I know that throughout history, as one era gradually flows into the next, there is always a period of transition when the “old” values are lamented, and the “new” values haven’t yet developed to fully meet the knowledge needs of the coming generation. And at some point, that “new” system will become “old” and be replaced by whatever comes next.

But one of the differences now is that the core knowledge is being devalued, as evidenced by your comments re: music. How can you write “classic songs” when you don’t need to know and understand music? Plug in loops from Garage Band or Logic Pro, tweak a bit and there you go.

Instead of using tools of that nature as wonderful enhancements to music composition and orchestration, (which they are), they are being used as the primary “compositional” tools.

Okay, okay. I know that Irving Berlin had his “capo piano” but he had others who could notate his work for him!
And if that does make me sound like an “old broad” instead of a “vintage chick,” well, so be it!

—Jane Lynch, Santa Clarita, CA

BENNY’S
Almost 20 years ago I spent an amazing three hours at a pub called Benny’s on Valance Street. The music was the Neville Brothers, who I was told grew up a short distance from the pub.

I wish to know if the pub/building is still standing. It may have become the Blue Jackal. Can you assist me with any information or an address I can try?

—Brett Hart, Australia

Benny’s—once located at 738 Valence St.—is closed. The building has been almost completely renovated, though the new owners took care to maintain the façade.—ED.

CHUCK CARBO
How very sad I was to read of Chuck Carbo’s passing. I have loved this man’s voice since 1954 when I first heard “I Didn’t Want t Do It” by the Spiders. I have a double CD of the Spiders songs plus two gospel tracks. I also have Chuck’s The Barber’s Blues and Drawers Trouble. The picture on this CD is the same in your article.

I often thought the three best singers were Aaron Neville, Johnny Adams and Chuck Carbo, all from New Orleans. I read an interview with Dr. John once and he said the same three.

For us who knew him, we will remember and miss him.

—Minta Bowers, San Ramon, CA

As a frequent visitor to New Orleans, and a DJ at the local community radio station here on Cape Cod, I was interested in meeting Chuck Carbo. When the CD Barber’s Blues came out, the location of the barber shop was given in the liner notes. It was at the corner of Prytania and Napoleon. Also I noticed that the price of a haircut was six dollars!

So, thinking that his day job was that of a barber, I set off to get him to autograph my copy of Barber’s Blues. Walking into the shop I asked the man cutting hair, “where’s Chuck?” The man laughed, and said Chuck didn’t work here. When I told him why I was there, he said, “Hell, I’ll autograph your CD!”
So that’s what I got, “Cal the Barber 1997.”

—Jim Mulligan, South Dennis, MA