This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.
I was going to go Mardi Gras this year but I was a slacker on booking my hotel room. When I finally got around to it hotel room prices were sky high in the Big Easy. I new the prices were gonna be jacked up. They are for Jazz Fest too. I was expecting Jazz Fest style pricing and I still had price shock. I missed a parade or two, a show at Tipitina's and apparently a good opportunity to catch Covid-19. I went another direction, literally. New Orleans is three hours West, I went four hours East and South. Spent a night in "a storied hotel" for $50. It was a small, Southern town, that was nothing like Carnival in New Orleans. I never figured out what was so storied about the hotel. I think I fell asleep before I even cracked the cover. As the picture above shows I had things to catch.
Tab Benoit "Sac Au Lait Fishing"
I combine music and fishing. Tab Benoit the last musician I saw in New Orleans when I was there for New Years!
The past year a lot of the lyrics kinda fits my life...
"Don't Ask Me No Questions" Lynyrd Skynryd
"If you want to talk fishin'
I guess that would be okay."
Brad Paisley "I'm Gonna Miss Her"
By the time it was all said and done my face was redder than that redfish!
The wi-fi in my hotel room did not work very well. I've been going to the Voice of the Wetlands Festival each year for the last five years including this year. Even before I lived close enough to make going to the festival a reality, it was a festival I wanted to go to because of the music. Living four hours away makes it an easy decision. First it was the music and then the cause. Each year I added more to the trip. First it was hiking and exploring. Then it was hiking and the Gator farm. Then is was adding the fishing trip. Then it was the swamp tour. Then this year I went hiking everyday except Friday. I discovered a new hiking trail as well. I doubled up on the swamp tours. Music was the draw but enjoying the wetlands on my visits has caught up with it.
If the wetlands disappeared I could still enjoy the music maybe in New Orleans or support the artists when they play in my backyard. I would lose a place for a fishing trip. Yes I know I could possibly book one elsewhere. I would lose my hiking spots. Never enough hiking spots but yes I could find others. Swamp tours well if it is gone there isn't anything to tour. However, the guy I went with was continuing something his Mom started back around 1965. Something that has lasted over 50 years would be gone.
Tab Benoit "Whole Lotta Soul"
How about listening to a Grammy Award winning Zydeco Band...
Chubby Carrier "Zydeco Junkie"
Well if that doesn't capture where I am maybe this one will
Nonc Nu $5 a tail
Mike Zito came in from Texas
More information on the festival and charity can be found here.
The voting was tight in this close election. One election official was ready to call it a draw. Then one last vote mysteriously showed up. It was a curious vote and kind of catty! (thanks Cathy!) The deadlock was broken. The conservative voice from the right side of my head was outraged. The voice from the liberal left side of my mind created mass confusion when someone said "snow flake!" The fun loving ski bum voice was suddenly excited! In the momentary lapse of reason my head became so congested. I live in Florida and there is no snow.
Fiction you may ask? It all depends how many voices you think I have in my head. If I ever become famous wouldn't that be a great trivia question? The results were super close. Cathy's vote did determine the winner. I have been battling this congestion for way to long.
The winner was Eric McFadden who edged out Scott Weiland 5 to 4. Below is a picture of the winner taken by me last month. If you steal it, it would be nice if you give me credit.
I had seen Eric before as a guitarist for Anders Osborne. He has also played with George Clinton, Eric Burdon, Les Claypool, Keb' Mo', Galactic, Jackson Browne to name a few. In other words a working musician been in a few regional bands and worked with some highly regarded musicians. He was in a festival I usually see every October in Louisiana. What got me interested in seeing him was his latest single..
"Love Come Rescue Me"
The latest album is produced by one of my favorite guitarists Tab Benoit. It also features Doug Wimbish on bass who blew me away on Eric's solo set at the festival. Doug was in the rock band Living Colour.
Here he is playing the Monday after the Fest with Jonathon Long and Charlie Wooten..
Another new song "Long Gone"
Hope you enjoyed! Go out and discover some new to you music!
elcome to my rather late Monday's Music Moves Me post. I turned off the real world and went on a journey of three days of fantastic music, delicious food, and some other adventures. Alligators, fishing, and several hundred miles of driving.
Friday night I really wanted to see The Trio featuring the legendary bassist George Porter Jr with one of the best jazz drummers from New Orleans Johnny Vidacovich and guitarist Brian Stoltz.
They did not disappoint. The "Guitar Fight" that followed was a joy to watch. I discovered some new to me musicians like Jonathon Boogie Long. Here he is at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2013..
Johnny Sansone also known as Jumpin' Johnny is a multi-skilled musician. Singer-Songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and accordion player. I really enjoy his songs. He was slanted to the side stage. He did join in with other artists such as Tab Benoit on the big stage. He played a set that rocked more and his energy level was on high.
Johnny with Tab Benoit and Mike Zito below..
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles followed on the side stage..
Of course Tab Benoit..."Medicine"
I could go on and on. Tab headlined Saturday but he played the late night ramble on both Friday and Saturday. Joined many others such as Papa John Gros and Louisiana's LeRoux. The later also featured Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie fame.
Wetlands are important me. I fish and check out the scenery in my local wetlands. In Louisiana the wetlands and the land is disappearing. Over the last two years I have supported some grassroots efforts by attending the Voice of the Wetlands Festival. As you know from reading my blog I love music. Combine music with a worthy cause which I support and you have a winning combination. Add in the fact my daughter has a blast each time I is a winning combination.
My local wetlands..
My daughter in the Louisiana Wetlands...
Alabama wetlands..
Here is Bill Nye the science guy talking about Wetlands..
Wayne Toups won my battle of the bands convincingly 11-4. A few of you thought Wayne Toups was more authentic perhaps because of the more Zydeco sound. Ironically Tab's version featured many of the members of LeRoux the band who originally did the song. Wasn't my intent but it was the only studio recording I could find.
Wayne Toups is an Award Winning artist. His Battle of the Bands victory certainly highlights a career with a Grammy Award, Gulf Coast Hall of Fame, Louisiana Hall of Fame, Cajun French Hall of Fame, and a few Offbeat Magazine Awards.
His accordion skills have been featured on Country megahits like Mark Chestnut's "It Sure is Monday" and Alan Jackson's "Little Bitty."
Here he is with "Take My Hand"....
"Please Explain"
The Battle was fun I got to share a song I like and you all got to vote on which one you liked best. I'll be thinking up a new battle for March 1st. In between feel free to drop in and see what else I might be blogging about.
Valentine's Day just passed so I thought for this Battle of the Bands I would bring out things that I love. This one actually came to me before the 15th and isn't a result of somebody passing away. The song has been around for a long time, I just discovered it a couple of years ago and a few miles southwest of New Orleans. I discovered it at a festival I loved which supported a cause I love. I also loved the musicians performing. Enough with the love fest an let the battle begin!
The rules are simple I pick a song and present a couple of bands battling it out with the song. You pick the one you like best by casting your vote in the comments. Why you voted the way you did and other comments are always welcomed.
@ ‘FARAWAYSERIES’ by clicking HERE. @ ‘TOSSINGITOUT’ by clicking HERE. @ ‘YOURDAILYDOSE’ by clicking HERE. @ 'BOOKLOVER' by clicking HERE. @ 'MIKE'SRAMBLINGS' by clicking HERE. @ 'CURIOUSASACATHY' by clicking HERE. @ 'THESOUNDOFONEHANDTYPING' by clicking HERE. @ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLEOFTHEBANDS' by clicking HERE. @ 'THEDOGLADY'SDEN' by clicking HERE. @ 'CHERDOONTHEFLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE. @ 'ANGELSBARK' by clicking HERE. @ 'JINGLEJANGLEJUNGLE' by clicking HERE. @ 'JANIE JUNEBUG, RIGHTING & EDITING' by clicking HERE. @ 'J.A.SCOTT' by clicking HERE. @ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE. @ 'QUIETLAUGHTER' by clicking HERE. @ 'BEREINVINTAGED' by clicking HERE
New Orleans Ladies by Leroux
Vote for one of the ones below:
Contestant One: Wayne Toups
Contestant Two: Tab Benoit (with guests)
I hope you enjoyed the song selection. Thanks for letting me share a few of my favorite things of late. Vote for the cover you like best in the comments! I'll be back with a follow up post in about a week with the results.
Today is Tab Benoit's birthday. If you don't know who Tab Benoit is don't worry. At one time I had never heard of him. That all changed the first time I went to Jazz Fest. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival commonly referred to Jazz Fest.
My friend Eric who knows my musical tastes pretty well took me to the Blues Tent and told me I had to watch this guy Tab Benoit perform. I have been hooked ever since. My friend Eric took a year off to write and experience New Orleans and if interested you can check out his blog My Year of Mardi Gras. We don't always agree on music and we don't it leads to great debates, often we do agree and ends up being turned on to an artist we might not have been aware of.
Besides Tab's musical talent I also respect him for his work on saving the wetlands and the environment. Stop by the Voice of the Wetlands site to learn more about that. Tab also puts together one of the best family friendly music festivals, the Voice of the Wetlands Festival which I blogged about here.
Tab performing with the Voice of the Wetland's All-Stars photo by me..
Here Tab and the VOW All-Stars perform "Louisiana Sunshine"..
Here is something from the Festival I went to, Tab Benoit joined by Albert Castiglia on "Night Train"
Here is a song you may have heard "Shelter Me"..
Happy Birthday Tab Benoit! If you like blues, blues rock, swamp music then do yourself a favor and check out Tab Benoit.
This is where I went last weekend. Last Friday was pretty hectic preparing for the trip. Getting the oil change before the road trip, getting cash, and other errands. Saturday morning we got moving. An early start but not as early as I hoped. Yesc the Festival started Friday but I had work, my daughter had school and rehearsal so we knew Saturday was the day.
My goal was to get there early enough to see Mason Ruffner. I will date myself. The last time I saw him was in October of 1988 and he was the opening band for Jimmy Page on the Outrider Tour. Ruffner had also done some work with Bob Dylan.
I made it in time for that..
Next up was the Honey Island Swamp Band. Which is another band I dig based out New Orleans.
Here is a taste of that band performing "Cast the First Stone"..
Then there was Samantha Fish. I have featured her on one of my Battle of the Bands contests before. My daughter is starting to play the guitar and is taking voice lessons. So, I like to show her what girls can do! Besides the Top 40 and Country stuff.
Here is Samantha Fish and my daughter...
Here she is with her video for "Lay it Down"..
Raw Oyster Cult was awesome as well! They are band featuring former members of The Radiators.
Tab Benoit, the host of the Festival finished off the evening with his band! I've been guilty of making a trip to New Orleans just to see him!
Here is a taste of his Medicine!
Albert Castiglia made guest appearances with just about everyone. He was great on guitar and really brought the best out of Tab. Here is a picture of him and Samantha..
I went on a hike with my daughter and had a BBQ lunch on Sunday so we missed the first act, I had seen him open up for the North Mississippi All Stars.
Here she is sad that she didn't see any Alligators..
The festival is trying to save the wetlands so I thought she should see some of the Wetlands.
So our day of music started out with Mike Zito and the Wheel..
Yours truly with Mike after his set..
Next up was Mike's old band The Royal Southern Brotherhood. Zito would join them for a few songs as well! Here is their latest single..
Here is a picture of the group with Mike Zito..
Besides music they had a petting zoo...
Face Painting..
Bouncy houses..
Here is a picture of the kids area at night..
Chubby Carrier provides some Zydeco Swamp Music!
I also caught Tab on the other stage performing with a Police Tribute band called The Fuzz..Tab Benoit on drums!
The festival ended with the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars which included Anders Osborne..
Here is another picture of the group..
Here is a video of the group from January..making a good gumbo!
It was a great festival! Free no cover! Kind of like a family friendly jazzfest with no hassles. If you use my pictures please give me credit. If you want to learn more about the charity and festival, Voice of the Wetlands check out the link here.
This is the fourth year in a row I have celebrated Buddy Guy's birthday on the blog. With the passing of B.B. King I feel a bit more urgency to celebrate it a bit more. Here is a link to my first birthday tribute to him.
My second tribute is here. Here is last year's celebration. Adding them because they contain more music. Speaking of music let's add some in!
Here Buddy performs "I Can't Quit You" with the legendary B.B. King..
I can't quit the blues. I am thankful I was able to see B.B. quite a few times and I am glad to say I have seen Buddy a couple of times.
This is how Buddy Guy said goodbye to Wannee Fest in 2012..
Below Buddy Guy performs "Fever" with one of my favorite guitarists Tab Benoit...
While we are having Buddy play with some of my favorites we might as well have him jam with the Rolling Stones.."Champagne and Reefer"..
Cheers! I hope he sticks around for a few more birthday celebrations!
Today is Dr. John's birthday. He was a participant in my first battle of the bands post this month which you can revisit here.
He turns 74 and with a long career that means a lot of great music. This is how we celebrate!
This song is probably my all time favorite Dr. John song..
I want to dig deeper maybe pull a clip of Dr. John playing with some Louisiana All Stars called The Voices of the Wetland All Stars featuring Tab Benoit, George Porter, and Cyril Neville...
Here Dr. John performs "There Must be a Better World Some Place"..
I had been wanting to catch Tab Benoit's Voices of Wetlands All-Star Band for sometime. Well the last time I was in New Orleans my friend Eric mentioned they were playing later in the month. I didn't know if I could make it since my hours at work were changing. Well things worked out.
Well the lineup for the band changes quite often. Being the guitar fan that I am I wanted to catch Tab playing with Anders Osborne another great guitarist living in the New Orleans area. My wish was granted! Truth be told I wold have made the trip just to see Tab play.
It was a bonus that the proceeds of the free concert series was going to help the hungry in New Orleans. It sames like everywhere there are hungry and homeless. A good cause, beautiful weather, a good friend, and great music. That's what I call a super mid-week get away.
There was a third guitarist in the band this time around, he was Tom Malone. He was in a local band called The Subdudes and has played with a bunch of greats. The band also consisted of Waylon Thibodeaux on fiddle and Johnny Sansone on harmonica and accordion both musicians were a real treat and added a lot of Louisiana culture to the show.
Here they play "Let it Go" from that show..
Here they perform "Poor Man's Paradise" from that show..
Really you can't beat that for a free concert in a city park! Obviously I enjoyed the show and thought I wold share.
My last day in New Orleans was quite different from the previous one. Still started with a delicious breakfast this time cooked by my host Eric, who is a writer and long time friend. His energy level did not meet that of the waiter at The Camellia Grill where we had breakfast the day before. However, that waiter could have been a motivational speaker and I don't think many people could match that energy level.
On this day there would be no costumes. A good thing. Another good thing was instead of the scheduled tropical storm we were treated to a beautiful day. We headed out across the Mississippi River to a strip mall to catch a shuttle bus to the last day of the Gretna Heritage Festival.The Festival already had the likes of Chicago, Marcia Ball, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Earth, Wind and Fire. Almost anywhere else it would have been considered a major festival in the New Orleans area my friend told me it was just another weekend.
I was sold on going to the show when my friend told me Tab Benoit was playing. After all Eric had turned me on to Tab on my first trip to New Orleans too many years ago. As a blues fan I don't think it gets much better than listening to the blues on the banks of the Mississippi. If I had a bucket list I would be checking it off.
Tab Benoit on stage,,,
Here is a taste from his set...
They do like their football in NOLA. Tab's set was during the Saints game. Tab had the game on the big screen instead of the band to oblige the fans.
I took in the sights of Gretna, the historic Court House, the Spirit of Louisiana steam train on display, the arts and crafts. I took in the sounds of the other bands playing on the different stages. While the Ben Miller Band was more Americana than blues it was still neat to hear and see Cigar Box guitars and electric spoons played while sitting on a levee.
The day's headliner was ZZ Top.Here the little old band from Texas plays "Catfish Blues" t the festival.
Marie Frank reviewed ZZ Top's September Wolf Trap show for DC Metro Theater Arts and you can read her review of that show here. Since it is on the same tour to get an idea of what I experienced. If you want to read another point of view of my adventure in New Orleans check out my friend Eric's blog here. He calls it "My Year of Mardi Gras" and Eric blogs about almost everything related to New Orleans. Including writers, music, adventures and more.
A view o New Orleans from across the river in Gretna...
That is how I spent the first weekend of October! Good friends, fun times, and then topped with some great music.
Ok, we are having a heck of a winter. I like snow but I think I like things in moderation. Too much snow so I can't get my car out means no skiing and playing in the snow. We got dumped on and I live on a hill. We lost power for 12 hours one day and our roads have been barely passable by 4X4's. I have front wheel drive, my wife has a jeep. So, we have been staying at friends house who have power lines underground, and have been having an endless slumber party. I was finally able to get my car out yesterday. My laptop also crashed. So, needless to say I have been away from my computer for a while.
I published a few articles early this month. I haven't published anything new in almost 2 weeks so I do need to get on the stick (or at least the keyboard).
Well, it hasn't been all bad as Valentine's Day, me and my wife ended up going to the Tab Benoit show in Falls Church. He is a very talented musician. One of the best guitarists from New Orleans. Big Sam's Funky Nation was a fun opening act who also jammed with Tab during his set. It was a great show and a great way to kick off Mardi Gras week. A little taste of New Orleans. Then Monday and even Tuesday were ordinary days. But hey ordinary days aren't all bad. I hope everyone had fun on Fat Tuesday.
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