July 2019
BackTalk
- Sheila E. talks back
Sheila E. was just five years old when she took to the stage for the first time to accompany her father,…
Cover Story
- Relentless Dreamers: Water Seed’s quest to excel
Monday is Water Seed rehearsal day at Lou Hill’s house—every Monday at 11:30 a.m. The strictly observed regimen is just one…
Features
- Essence: The Party with a Purpose
Essence Fest holds many vivid and very individual memories for those who’ve attended the fest, as well as those who’ve performed.… - Natural Appeal: Marc Morial remembers the birth of Essence Festival
“The festival has exceeded my wildest imagination,” exclaims Marc Morial of the 25th anniversary of the Essence Festival. Morial, who is… - The Royal Affair: Alan White of Yes has played drums with rock royalty
Archetypal prog-rock band Yes traversed North America last year on its fiftieth anniversary tour. Yes is bringing its time signature-shifting, riff-packed,… - The Rolling Stones from the Inside Out: A conversation with Bernard Fowler
When the Rolling Stones come into town for the group’s No Filter tour, fans will be cheering original members Mick Jagger,… - A Second Chance: Why New Orleans matters to the Stones
The year was 1979. The place was the Venue, a well-appointed nightclub near London’s Victoria Station. The packed house cheered as… - Waiting on Mac
When I learned that Dr. John passed away, I went into a state of shock. Malcolm John “Mac” Rebennack Jr. had… - Five Questions with photographer Laiken Joy
Laiken Joy is a photographer who grew up between Nashville, Tennessee and Lake Charles, Louisiana. She’s garnered attention as the photographer… - Rick Olivier on Rick Olivier
Rick Olivier has created some of the most iconic photographs of legendary musicians such as Eddie Bo, Snooks Eaglin, Earl King,…
Online Exclusive
- A Lasting Legacy: Scott Aiges and his wife Lisanne are leaving New Orleans for Denver
Scott Aiges, the first “official” Times-Picayune music writer; band manager; entrepreneur; organizer of multiple events around the city; former director of… - The Rolling Stones American Tour in 1981 set a record that would stand for 33 years
It’s the Summer of ’81 and Keith Richards, attired in a black bomber jacket, black t-shirt, black jeans and blue suede…
Fresh
- Mo’ Fess: Professor Longhair’s band brings the magic back
Mo’ Fess isn’t a Professor Longhair tribute band. It is Professor Longhair’s former band. Four Mo’ Fess band members—drummer Earl Gordon,… - A Big Thank You: Christian Serpas and Ghost Town celebrate 20 years
Christian Serpas and Ghost Town bucked the odds. The enduring Mandeville country-rock band, featuring three-fourths of its original membership, will celebrate… - 5 Questions with Preservation Hall Jazz Band's Clint Maedgen
Clint Maedgen is a saxophonist in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which signed with Seattle’s grunge-identified Sub Pop Records last year.…
Letters
- Letters to the Editor: Domenica, Mini Jazz Fest Bible & more
Real Italian in NOLA The following is in response to Michael Dominici’s restaurant review of Domenica, June 2019. I was happy…
Mojo Mouth
- It’s Not Over Yet. It Will Never Be Over.
It’s been a very rough month in the cultural community of New Orleans: writer Ronnie Virgets; restaurateur/activist Leah Chase; musicians Mac…
Obituaries
- In Memoriam: Spencer Bohren (1950 - 2019)
You had to be there. Spencer Bohren’s extensive catalog of recordings present him in all his strengths as a singer-songwriter, a… - In Memoriam: Paul “Lil’ Buck” Sinegal (1944 - 2019)
Dubbed “the gentle giant of guitar” by the esteemed producer Allen Toussaint, Paul “Lil’ Buck” Sinegal died at his Lafayette home… - In Memoriam: Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. a.k.a. Dr. John (1941 –2019)
His family released the following statement: “Towards the break of day on June 6, 2019, iconic music legend Malcolm John Rebennack…
OffBeat Eats
- Deanie’s Seafood: old-school New Orleans in the best way
The roots of Deanie’s Seafood go back to 1961, when John and Alma “Deanie” Livacari opened the first seafood market in…
Reviews
- The New Orleans Catahoulas, "Homegrown" (Independent)
Homegrown, The New Orleans Catahoulas’ debut album, is as much the band’s mission statement as it is a collection of expertly… - Frank Salis and Michael Watson, "Frank Salis Meets Michael Watson" (Independent)
On this album, pianist, guitarist and organist Frank Salis, a native of Switzerland, not only encounters Crescent City vocalist and trombonist… - Various Artists, "Funky Funky New Orleans, Volume 6" (Tuff City)
When Tuff City began releasing these Funky Funky New Orleans compilations in the late ’90s, every track was a revelation. Any… - AF THE NAYSAYER "PARTS, Act I" (Sinking City Records)
Amahl Abdul-Khaliq (AF THE NAYSAYER) is like water. His sound is slippery and, like the abstruse function that inspired the first… - Tiffany Pollack & Eric Johanson, "Blues in My Blood" (Nola Blue Records)
Tiffany Pollack and Eric Johanson are literally long lost cousins who connected later in life. Since both already had their mainstay… - Mitch Woods, "A Tip of the Hat to Fats" (The Orchard / Blind Pig)
This may be the first Fats Domino tribute album to have no original Domino songs on it. Only three of the… - Anders Osborne, "Buddha and the Blues" (Back on Dumaine)
Anders Osborne couldn’t have released this album at a luckier time: Just as the hit movie “Echo in the Canyon” is… - Seth Walker, Are you Open? (Royal Potato Family)
Seth Walker’s music, although simple on the outside, can’t really be broken down into individual genres easily. It’s more about what… - Kid Eggplant and the Melatauns, Big Trouble in Little Chalmette (Independent)
Musicians in New Orleans wear many hats. Bassist Robert Snow makes his bread playing an upright in trad jazz bands, and… - Geovane Santos, Jobim (Independent)
It only makes sense that the city’s best Brazilian jazz guitarist, Spotted Cat mainstay Geovane Santos, would want to do an… - The Lee Boys, Live on the East Coast (M.C. Records)
When sacred steel music first appeared on the secular circuit, it took many listeners by surprise. How was it possible so… - Harold Steinitz and Dave Thomas, Wheels Up! (Independent)
The title and cover of this duo’s latest album suggests some ethereal experience—but maybe a boat would work better than a… - Joe Hall & the Cane Cutters, Aye Cher Catin (Fruge Records)
Joe Hall & the Cane Cutters’ Aye Cher Catin is the group’s third official offering on the Michigan-based Fruge Records that… - Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, 30 Years Live! (Valcour Records)
The Rolling Stones band is famous for its freakish longevity, but groups like Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys playing an… - Tank and the Bangas, Green Balloon (Verve Forecast)
We’re used to hearing detailed discussions of cheddar from hip-hop groups—making money, keeping money, spending money—but Tank and the Bangas take… - Carlo Ditta, Hungry for Love (Orleans Records)
Carlo Ditta has been a producer for more than 30 years; his company, Orleans Records, specializes in blues, R&B, jazz, soul,…
