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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 5) |
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Paul Sanchez
 Jan 18, 08 - 11:52 AM |
Mardi Gras, House Concerts, muggings and music
First of all Mardi Gras begins this week in my neighborhood with the march of Krewe De Vieux, the most wonderfully hilarious, politically correct/incorrect Krewe of the season. Fun, fun fun and I promised Chris Gerstner at Shiloh Productions that I would post this before I get lost in the Gras. I'm finished mixing Exit To Mystery Street and nearly done with John Boutte's new record, Good Neighbor and am starting to play shows again. If you're interested in hosting a House Concert this year contact me or Chris. I hope to do more flying then driving this year so even if I'm not in the area give a call, with frequent flyer miles and coffee we can accomplish anything. Exit To Mystery Street should be back from the factory by the first of March so be the first one on your block to host an Exit To Mystery House Concert. I went for a bike ride last weekend to see New Orleans folk icon Spencer Bohren play at the Danny Barker Birthday Festival in the French Market. As Shelly and I stepped out of our place the downstairs neighbor who was washing his car said, "did you hear about the mugging?". We hadn't and asked who had been mugged, " me Monday night across the street from here some kid ran up and put a gun to my chest and said give me your wallet, right on that corner". We asked if he was okay and walked on but neither of us spoke. We walked in silence both lost in thought, We're aware of how bad the crime is in New Orleans but this was across the street from us and happened at nine o'clock in the evening. We were walking to pick up my bike at Michael's Bicycle on Frenchmen. It was two-thirty in the afternoon and there was already a great jazz band across the street at the Spotted Cat. the weather was fine, the music made me pause and I was already beginning to remember why we put up with the crime and other hurdles we face on our way back to home and whole. I got my bike and we began riding to see Spencer and I got bathed in music pouring from every corner, doorway and alley. Jazz bands, kids in the street, bands playing for the Danny Barker celebration, music everywhere and I felt cleansed and reminded of why I live here in the City That Care Forgot. That was our nickname before the flood, back then it meant we had no cares now it's a hugely ironic and appropriate nick name to stick with, (just not to often because it isn't a funny kind of ironic). What can I say, I dig it here. What looks crazy from a distance makes sense when you're dancing in it. Why rebuild changes to we have to rebuild when you are in the midst of a New Orleans moment and if you have to ask what that is you haven't had one. If the ride over hadn't soothed me listening to Spencer Bohren play would have. finger picking like a folk master and telling the story of the traditions behind the songs he played. Explaining there origins and how the songs endured. To endure, it is what we reach for now. We endure the frustration for the moments when we have to look at each other and just smile. I've said it before but where else would I live? I have to go and get the place and me ready for tonight. Got to pick up my art work for Exit To Mystery Street from my brother Johnny, wash my clothes and get ready for Krewe De Vieux which you really do have to see for yourself. In fact come see for yourself, everywhere else in the country it will be Super Tuesday on Feb.5th,at least hear we already know it's a day of make believe. Grab a costume a cocktail and a convenient excuse for work and come to Mardi Gras. peace, love and jazz fest, Paul |
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healey
Jan 18th, 2008 - 2:11 PM |
Re: Mardi Gras, House Concerts, muggings and music
I loved this post! Though I've only spent a few days in New Orleans (just over a year ago), I think I had a "New Orleans moment" and I'd like to share if folks don't mind. Mike and I and our gracious hostess (and most awesome tour guide in the world), Heather, were headed out of the Quarter after some touristy stuff. We were driving down a random side street in the Quarter when suddenly there was a bit of traffic up ahead. It was about 10 or 11 on a Thursday night and there weren't that many cars on the road, but there we were. It took a minute before I realized that the front car at the stop sign wasn't going (incidentally, in Massachusetts, where I lived at the time, horns start going off about two seconds after a car stops). We noticed some flashing lights up ahead, and we all remarked that we hoped there wasn't an accident, etc. After a few moments more, I heard drumming. It came closer, and eventually I realized that it was many drums, all in perfect sync. We hopped out of the car and went up to the intersection, and soon, much to my surprise, an entire high school marching band starting going by. The reason for the flashing lights suddenly became clear. As far as I could tell, this parade wasn't planned, it wasn't announced in papers weeks ahead of time, it just happened. People lined the streets and smiled and cheered for the band and whatever it was they were celebrating, and it seemed that random observers were joining the parade. I'm a pretty big music fan and even consider myself to be moderately musically inclined, but I was blown away by the skill of these drummers. The last of the paraders trickled away, the police car turned off its lights and drove off, and we continued on our merry way. The streets seemed a little darker without the parade, but I couldn't help but smile at what I had seen. That was my "New Orleans moment." |
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Paul Sanchez
Jan 19th, 2008 - 6:01 AM |
Re: Mardi Gras, House Concerts, muggings and music
That's what I'm talking about baby. |
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Cathy
Jan 23rd, 2008 - 9:40 PM |
Re: Mardi Gras, House Concerts, muggings and music
I heard a marching band practicing at dawn today. I don't think any high schools have reopened close enough to Lakeview to be heard, so the sound must have been drifting over from Tad Gormley. That was even better to wake up to than WWOZ on the clock radio. Then, bringing teenage son home from school, we got to wait while the Rummel High School marching band passed. Nice. |
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Paul Sanchez
Jan 23rd, 2008 - 9:51 PM |
Re: Mardi Gras, House Concerts, muggings and music
One of my favorite sounds and sights is a marching band going through a neighborhood in the afternoon as they rehearse for Mardi Gras Parades. It is it's own parade, for none but themselves and the neighbors lucky enough to stumble out of their doors and marvel at the fact that life here is it's own art. peace, love and jazz fest, Paul |
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