November 2019
BackTalk
- Terence Blanchard talks back
In June, the Metropolitan Opera announced that it will stage an opera by an African-American composer for the first time in…
Cover Story
- Resistance & Existence: Brandan “Bmike” Odums’ Truth-telling Activism
“New Orleans is a place where you can just fall into art,” says Brandan “Bmike” Odums. “You can find it anywhere,…
Features
- Cuban Invasion: Roberto Carcassés & Cimafunk on tap in November
There is music everywhere in New Orleans just like here in Cuba,” said pianist and composer Roberto Carcassés by phone while… - Yvette Landry discovers Warren Storm in a new book and CD
In southwest Louisiana, the singing, drumming godfather of swamp pop is a local celebrity. Warren Storm’s fans include Yvette Landry, the… - The journey of Ghalia Volt: Blues Out of Nowhere:
It’s one thing to pay your dues in order to sing the blues, but what if you discover the music, fall… - The Devil Went Down to New Iberia: Johnny Sonnier
Johnny Sonnier refers to Cajun music as his blessing. Originals and covers that Sonnier put his own stamp on decades ago… - Ghost Stories: New Orleans musician Paul Sanchez tells his tale
It’s been 15 years since New Orleans was left for dead after Hurricane Katrina. Officials from the lowest to the highest… - We Are The Rhythm: Bamboula 2000 embraces Cuba as it turns 25
Bamboula 2000 — which is celebrating its 25th anniversary—and David D Omni, a Cuban multi-faceted artist, make the miles between New… - Lower 9 Valentine: Esther Rose’s emotional resonance
It’s hard to imagine a place where people are more devoted to music than New Orleans, mainly because there isn’t one.…
Fresh
- The Beverage Roots of Swamp Pop: Who Knew?
All around the world, Swamp Pop now refers to the style of rock ‘n’ roll which is strictly indigenous to Southwest… - Five Questions with Roots of Music’s Executive Director Morgan Stewart
On November 22, one of New Orleans’ premier music-education organizations will host a fundraiser with performances from some of the city’s… - Five Questions with trumpeter James Andrews
James Andrews, who appeared in a 2015 OffBeat cover story, will perform at the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival on November 16.… - Widespread Panic at UNO Lakefront Arena
Widespread Panic will perform October 31-November 2 at the UNO Lakefront Arena. When illness forces both the Rolling Stones and their… - My Music: Jenna Guidry
“I was born in Raceland, Louisiana and have lived in New Orleans since I was a sophomore in high school; I’m…
Letters
- Letters to the Editor, November 2019
Subscription prices You evil bastards... you know you have me over a barrel with these price hikes. I can no more…
Mojo Mouth
- The Difference Between New Orleans and Nashville
My friend John Snyder, attorney, producer, professor and visionary recently retired as the director of Loyola’s Music Industry Studies Program. A…
Obituaries
- In Memoriam: Leigh “L’il Queenie” Harris (1954 – 2019)
Leigh “L’il Queenie” Harris, vocalist and frontwoman of 1970s and early ’80s rock band Li’l Queenie and the Percolators has passed…
Dining Out
- Dining Out: Banana Blossom
Banana Blossom opened at its original location in an unassuming strip mall in Gretna a decade ago. It quickly became a…
Reviews
- Nicholas Payton, Relaxin’ with Nick (Smoke Sessions Records)
Nicholas Payton swings, hard bops, bebops, sings, gets sentimental, takes it out and adds a bit of electronics on this double… - Various Artists, Blues Kings of Baton Rouge (Bear Family)
Most of this material has been around the track more times than a seven-year-old Fair Ground’s claimer. J.D. Miller’s usual suspects… - Bobby Rush, Sitting on Top of the Blues (Deep Rush)
Blues Man Eighty-six years young with 26 albums to his credit, Bobby Rush, a native of Tallulah, Louisiana, is like… - Roger Mason, Jolie Blonde et Amiable Brune: Love Songs from Cajun and Creole Louisiana (Éditions Tintamarre / Centenary College of Louisiana Press)
Make the Songs Your Own As he states in his authoritative body of work, Roger Mason is neither a Cajun,… - Lilli Lewis Project, We Belong (Louisiana Red Hot Records)
As a solo act, Lilli Lewis referred to her style as orange music, meant to distinguish it from blues proper. It… - Jim Stephens, Yellow River (Ropeadope)
Much like a lazy river road that tirelessly meanders from town to town, Yellow River, the latest release from Jim Stephens,… - Ghalia, Mississippi Blend (Ruf Records)
If you haven’t read the article on Ghalia Volt in this issue—go ahead, we’ll wait—you might not know just how impressive… - St. Cyr Jazz, What We Carry (Independent)
Major currents in New Orleans history and music motivate this album from St. Cyr Jazz. Composed by trumpet player Dr. Mark… - Esther Rose, You Made it This Far (Father / Daughter)
Twenty years ago, no one would have guessed that the Lower 9th Ward would become one of the hippest recording studio… - Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Cypress Grove (Easy Eye Sound)
Mississippi’s Jimmy “Duck” Holmes plays the raw country blues style identified most famously with his Bentonia bluesmen predecessors, Skip James and… - Norbert Susemihl All Stars, Live at the New Orleans Jazz Museum 2019 (Independent)
This fall’s release from long-time bi-annual visitor, Norbert Susemihl, features quite a few hometown faces. Norbert leads on trumpet and vocals… - Wino Willy, Burlap (Bag Season Records)
MC-producer-DJ Wino Willy is a recent addition to the lo-fi hip-hop scene of New Orleans (he was born in Edison, New… - Chick Corea Trio, Trilogy 2 (Concord Jazz)
Considering the masterful musicians involved—pianist Chick Corea, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade—it comes as no surprise that Trilogy 2,… - Notel Motel, Heavy & Sweaty (Last Hope)
Turns out it's pretty easy to create the perfect indie rock barbecue/pool party playlist for the sketchier suburbs of NOLA. According… - Richard Piano Scott's Twisty River Band, Port of New Orleans (Independent)
Richard Scott is one of those fellows—there are a few in town—who boggle with their ability to play multiple instruments: In… - Dr. Michael Torregano, Morning Inspiration (KWS/Concord)
Like so many New Orleans musicians, Dr. Michael Torregano covers the stylistic waterfront. His influences include Earth, Wind & Fire, The…
