Back from a week in New Orleans with great music ringing in my ears

Haven’t been blogging for the past week but I was hearing a lot of music – and eating a lot of great food. We did a long Thanksgiving holiday with my wife’s family in her hometown – New Orleans.

 

The city is really coming back strong these days. Lots of new restaurants, a huge influx of money from the burgeoning film industry, and a strong, forward-thinking mayor.

 

I met Mayor Mitch Landrieu, when he was Lieutenant Governor in the early 2000s.  Under his leadership, Louisiana was at the forefront of the “creative industries” movement articulated by Richard Florida. As Mayor, he’s kept the focus on growing the city’s creative class.

 

The cliche – which is backed up by lots of anecdotal evidence – is that a growing number of hip young folks are leaving Brooklyn and moving the Big Easy.

 

As usual, my focus was eating and hearing great music.

 

We caught two great acts on different nights at Rock ‘n Bowl. Geno Delafose is a zydeco accordionist and singer who fronts the band – French Rockin’ Boogie. From his first note until we left sweaty and exhausted, the dance floor was full.

 

Two nights later, I was back for a late show by the bluesman Tab Benoit. Tab lives in nearby Houma, La., where Palladium favorite Damon Fowler worked with him on the new Southern Hospitality album.  Tab, who appears regularly at Skipper’s and other area venues, proved again the power of a great guitar trio. He tore the place up with a rousing version of “Hot Tamale Baby” and put a swampy spin on the classic – “I Put A Spell On You.”

 

My last night I got out to Frenchman Street for an early set by Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, a traditional jazz and blues band. I had seen her two years earlier with pianist Tom McDermott, but she just keeps getting better. And the acoustic band – with sousaphone, piano, drums, trombone and clarinet, really suited her agile, bluesy voice.

 

In a town of great female singers, Lake has been recognized as Female Performer of the Year three years running by the Big Easy Awards. Watching her – a petite redhead in retro outfits that set off some vivid tattoos – is half the fun.

 

The band swings on lots of old blues, some Billie Holliday, and other “hot jazz” tunes from the 20s and 30s. We hope to bring her and the band to the Palladium sometime soon.

 

In the meantime, I’ve shared some not-so-great shots from my trip. They’re a little shaky because – I was dancing!