The name Chris Vincent is ubiquitous around the Vieux Carre these days. Originally from Bayonne, New Jersey, the blues master is a rogue around the Quarter most days, documenting 70116-life with his smart phone, guiding his sweet golden (and totally blind) pup Cindy in tow. According to Vincent, who just self-released his fourth album, Things Have Changed, via Louisiana Music Factory, many things have changed about his relationship to the city, such as his relationship to alcohol and other substances. (Vincent has been sober for four years).
His music has been featured on in film, radio and TV, most notably on MTV’s The Real World. With wide, deep roots originating in Delta blues guitar, Vincent’s singular, instantly recognizable solo slide guitar style draws from elements of big band jazz, bebop, early electric blues and Western swing to co-deliver songs that delve deep into the universal complexities of love and loss, and ultimately the redemptive, resilient power of the human spirit.
While some things have changed for the man who plays a 1947 Gibson L7 guitar (affectionately known as “Gloria”) some nights at the Howlin’ Wolf and others at random haunts such as Rampart Street’s American Townhouse, others have remained the same. Chris Vincent talked to OffBeat about his ups and downs in New Orleans, what you can expect from his slide solo and Delta blues style on the stage, and then some. Most of all, Vincent wants you to know why New Orleans will always be “home.”
Where are you from and when did you start playing guitar? Who inspired you?
I was born and raised in Bayonne, NJ. Started playing guitar at 17 after being lyrically inspired by Bob Dylan and musically bitten by a combination the slide guitar of Son House and Robert Johnson and the Hard Bop of Coltrane, Oscar Peterson, and Joe Pass.
Your latest song sounds like a sort of love/hate war with New Orleans (“New Orleans, My Darling”). You sing “It feels like smiling with broken teeth” when you wake up. Can you elaborate on this?
Curious you picked this song. The original version is on Things Have Changed, which consists of songs written after moving back to New Orleans in February 2022. I lived here years ago, allowed myself to engage in the darker sides of the city, and had to leave because I thought that leaving would clear rapidly accelerating problems with addiction. Many years later, the city called me back, and I listened, this time with very sober ears. The song on record was the topic of conversation with my nextdoor neighbor who is also a good friend–she told me that it was her favorite song on the record, even though it gave her chills. That part didn’t sit well with me. We talked about our deep love for New Orleans, and how the city can in some ways be like a bad relationship—you know it’s not good for you, but you willingly go back for more. The song on the record is written from the perspective of the old me in New Orleans; waking up in the morning lucky to not be in jail, wondering if I said anything I’d have to deal with. I had another version of the song in me; I rewrote it and released the new version, “New Orleans, My Darling (alt. lyrics) on April 19. The new one has a more positive outlook of New Orleans, one of opportunity and resilience, and salutes all of us who have chosen to call this city home regardless of various drawbacks. Yes, life in New Orleans can be difficult, but is so ultimately worth it; for me New Orleans is my home, even if it took a few tries to get it right.
I know you play quite frequently around town. When you record a song, can your listeners expect a precise rendition of that song when they see you live?
In that regard, I’ll simply say no. If I’m doing anything right, I approach the guitar accompaniment in much the same way as the jazz and blues players on whose shoulders I stand—the compositions have frameworks and obviously the same lyrical content, but the songs vary widely with regard to rhythm and reharmonization. The tradition of jazz improvisation runs strong with me even though the songs are anchored with lyrics. In short, switching things up on a nightly basis keeps things very interesting to me as a player.
Who did you record with and what is your songwriting process?
Things Have Changed was done alone very much on purpose—if it does what I intended, the guitar moves beyond simple accompaniment and interacts with the lyrics as a second voice or, in certain scenarios, a wild-ass drummer. I recorded the whole thing alone at my studio. As far as writing, I usually wake up very early and get to it. After that, there’s no rhyme or reason other than I like to finish songs quite quickly, usually within a day or two. Then, I take out my editing scissors and get at making the songs lean and meaningful.
Chris Vincent will play Monday, May 6 at Allways Lounge. For more information, follow @chrisvincentmusic on Instagram.
