A noble experiment

Well, sometimes things do not work as planned. Internet hookup problems (apparently limited to MY room!) got me behind schedule and I never regained momentum. I think it would have been pretty cool had the entries been continuous, more contemporaneous, providing a feel for the activities as they occurred (well, as soon as I got back to the Residence Inn). But the trip was great fun. Great, eclectic music both at the festival and in the city; interesting food (although an ill-advised fish burrito at our Mexican restaurant on Friday night propelled itself into the toilet about 3am without the benefit of digestion).

Bars/Restaurants

Taqueria Corona - review Ever have a fish burrito? Recommended by new-best-friend-at-Fest Jeff, a would-be non-profit concert promoter from Dallas area. If not, you may want to pass. Good marguaritas, though.

Maple Leaf Bar - photo - description Our last stop on Friday night (after eating the infamous fish burrito) was here to see Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. After paying the $20 cover, you enter a long, narrow barroom. Open doorways on the right allow entrance to another room where JC&TAMG were already playing- relatively small hall with a stage at the front. The room is packed, hot and sweaty. The stage is not elevated, so I only HEAR Jon for the first 15 minutes because he's sitting at his piano at the front of the stage. J-Gumbo listens from the bar, but I inch my way forward and finally get to see much of what I'm hearing. Worth the effort; JC puts on great, high-energy FUNK.

Port of Call - website After a failed attempt at lunch here on rainy Saturday, we succeeded on Sunday in acquiring four bar seats immediately to the right of the entrance - good viewing spot. Two Monsoons and a monster hamburger/backed potato to fill me forever. We overheard a Teri Hatcher clone relate to her new-best-bar-friend that she met her now-husband there twelve years ago and was returning for the first time since (btw, while 'they' may have been real and were borderline spectacular, 'they' have been downsized significantly since last sighted).

House of Blues - website

Rock 'N Bowl - website Alas, I had heard so much about this strange, but very cool concept. We tried to go there on Saturday night, but arrived to find the line way too long to negotiate, so we didn't get to sample (on two stages, upstairs and down) Snooks Eaglin, George Porter Jr., Eddie Bo, Russell Batiste, Anders Osborne, Terrance Simien, Theresa Andersson. Music goes from 9pm till about 2pm!!!!

13 Monahan - After failing at Port of Call, we happened upon this bar via an unsolicited recommendation from a passerby (go there, they have sandwiches and booze and everything!). Memorable spot, if only because our barkeep, Corrina, kept storing her pen in her ample cleavage (hey, you notice those things!).

Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar and Restaurant - website - Bloody Marys to start the day.

Information by Wcities - During the day, this place serves as the perfect lunch break getaway for the young professional crowd working in the Warehouse District. At night, it is the after-work drinking hole for the same crowd. It is a great change of pace from the bars in the Quarter. The interior of this place resembles an old Tiki bar,+1 and the staff wears Aloha shirts and occasionally straw hats. A California influence is apparent in the grilled shrimp and fish specialties. You will also enjoy a large selection of Southwestern breakfast dishes and burritos. (Open Hours: 11:30am-2:30pm Mon-Fri; 5pm-10pm Mon-Thu; 9am-3pm Fri-Sat)

Cafe du Monde - website Gumbo and I shared a romantic early morning respite of latte/beignets, while observing a group of good ol boys and their belles winding down after a hard night of partying. One very attractive young lady was overheard to say (and I kid you not), "It's not easy being gorgeous."

Emeril's Delmonico website- I missed out on this wonderful opportunity by leaving a day early, but I defer to Johnny Gumbo's comment. "All the hype and more, especially if you're treated like someone special (as if we were) because of BD's connection."

Music

Top 5


Allen Toussaint - JR and I caught most of this session. Wonderful. Looking almost elegant in suit and tie at the piano, but good and funky backed by a great band and two backup singers. He wrote/produced many early New Orleans hits. Bought the CD Allen Toussaint Collection at the Louisiana Music Factory.

Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe -

Neville Brothers - The Nevilles always close JazzFest. They disappointed me with their show at Oakdale several years ago and I desperately wanted to see them at their best. I did.

Ike Turner - You gotta love Ike. Seventy-four years old, in great voice and playing a mighty fine blues piano (and guitar). When his Tina-clone mistimed her part after a hot piano solo, we looked at each other knowingly - tonight......whack!

Marcia Ball - She closed the Friday Fest with an infectiously energetic set. You can tell the fans adore her.

Good Stuff
CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band -
Jon Cleary -
Wayne Toups& the Zydecajuns - Wayne informs the crowd this is his 20th year at the Fest. Good zydecowith a rock slant, crowd favorite.
Galactic -
Elvis Costello & the Imposters -

Disappointing

Marva Wright & the BMWs
Little Feat - at the House of Blues

Sunday

We heard the whispers; he was in town, he was doing the Fest. But never did we imagine we'd meet him. Johnny Gumbo.

Pre-Fest:

Glorious day! Clear, cool, breezy. JK/JR up early for obigatory walk to Cafe Du Monde. Bloody Marys at Lucy's Lunch at Port of Call; Monsoons

Festival- final day):

Tribute to Sister Rosetta Thorpe in the Blues Tent Gospel Neville Brothers redeemed themselves with a great show to close the festival.

Post-Fest

Shell Fest- Johnny Gumbo wows the crowd with his dexterity in limbo contest; finishes 5th Little Feat concert at House of Blues