Wonderful World With Dr. John, Soulive, Kermit Ruffins – July 16, 2016

Flushing Meadows Park was the venue for the third annual Louis Armstrong Wonderful World Festival. It was a day to appreciate not only Armstrong’s legacy but the rich musical tradition of his home city New Orleans. Both Kermit Ruffins and Dr. John have that hometown in common so they were natural artists to invite to play the all day fest held just blocks from the museum of the Louis Armstrong House where Satch spent the second half of his life in Corona. You couldn’t ask for a pair of more suitable ambassadors. Dr. John has taken pride in exporting that city’s sounds for his entire career. His latest album Ske Dat De Dat, from two years ago, was a tribute to Louis Armstrong. Ruffins, who is a generation younger than the doctor, embodies the city to the same degree. He‘s a fixture at funerals as well as clubs in the Crescent City and his most recent effort, released last year, is titled #ImSoNewOrleans!

I’ve seen Dr. John perform at least a half dozen times over the years but I had never seen the man born Mac Rebbennack play guitar until the Wonderful World gig. Legend has it that guitar was his first instrument but he switched to piano after he took a bullet in the ring finger on his left hand. Without a word of introduction, he picked up a six string and offered a satisfying, swampy version of Come On (part one) – a song by Earl King who is yet another New Orleans guy who Dr. John did sessions with as a teen. Jimi Hendrix recorded Come On as well on Electric Ladyland.

Soulive isn’t from New Orleans but Eric Krasno, when I bumped into him at one of the Tame Impala shows earlier this summer in Brooklyn, confessed to be considering a move there. Regardless of his mailing address, Krasno is steeped in the sounds of NOLA as are his bandmates Alan and Neal Evans. The mighty trio, featuring Alan on drums and Neal on keyboards have a new album on the way but it sits on the back-burner at the moment as The Eric Krasno Band just released a new disc called Blood From The Stone. More on Kras and his myriad activities coming soon to this dude space…

Dr. John gave us a scare by canceling his show in Central Park on 8-2-2014 for health reasons.  However, the New Orleans music legend was in good spirits when we chatted a couple of weeks after that on the release of his new album: Ske Dat De Dat – The Spirit of Satch.  Enjoy the interview from a year ago and go see Dr. John and the Nite Trippers today 8-1-2015 in a Central Park SummerStage free event!  Amy Helm – who got some good ink in the New York Times this week – is opening up and the show starts at 2PM.

Great to have Dr. John rolling through the city tonight February 27, 2015 especially as his last scheduled show here in Central Park on August 2, 2014 was canceled at the last minute.  The New Orleans music legend spoke to me recently about his latest album: Ske Dat De Dat – The Spirit of Satch that he’ll be featuring tonight. Performance video Courtesy of The Artist.  A few tickets remain for tonight’s show at The Town Hall featuring Nicholas Payton on trumpet who is a great guy to have for a show paying tribute to Satchmo (Louis Armstrong).

I’m all about Dr. John and enjoyed him wildly recently in New Orleans and at Prospect Park so I was relishing the chance to see him in a venue with acoustics as opposed to outside. The circumstances were special – a three week residency (consecutive Thursday through Saturday engagements) at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with a tribute to Louis Armstrong the first week, material from his new album Locked Down the second, and a New Orleans bit the third.

I made it to a show on the first and second week and, against my expectations, the first was a lot better.

The Louis Armstrong tribute boasted a ridiculously talented rotating crew of A list talent including my favorite two trumpet players in the world Roy Hargrove (review of another Roy Hargove show)and Arturo Sandoval. That would have been plenty but it was only the tip of the iceberg as The Blind Boys of Alabama and Rickie Lee Jones were involved among many others. The latter singing Makin’ Whoopee and the former most memorably singing Wonderful World. The love and respect the musicians showed to Armstrong’s legacy were the launching pad for a magnificent evening in which Dr. John shone brightly while, as he said, performing his duty to pass on the music of the man who turned the whole world on to Jazz.

Coming off that performance, I was determined to hear his new material especially joined by Dan Auerbach who produced and played on Locked Down. Imagine the horror of Auerbach being so low in the mix that he was inaudible when the band was playing. Dr. John’s piano – fine, drums – fine, bass – fine, TWO Cowbells – fine, could even differentiate them but could not hear Dan Auerbach. Unbelievably frustrating. Unlike the week prior when 10 musicians on stage seemed perfect, this time ten (full horn section too) was too many by half the material the botched mix notwithstanding. Even when DA took solos, there was no sound of loud and his tone wasn’t near his usual dirty and muscular delight. It’s a fine album but this night was a missed opportunity.

Fortunately Howler rolled into the Mercury Lounge soon after to provide the grit and riffs I was craving. Howler is the best young rock band I’ve seen in years. I was well impressed when they did a few tunes for The Alternate Side but in the bonafide rock club confines of the Merc, I was knocked out. In the interview, front-man Jordan revealed his love of the Replacements whereas guitarist Ian grew up a Nirvana man. It’s even better than that sounds though as they’ve got other hip influences and stitch them into their tunes with such skill that what comes through the most is foot-stomping attitude. It was immense.

Before Rod y Gab did their show this past Friday at Radio City Music Hall I spoke to Gabriela for WFUV who broadcast the show live. She was lovely and I had to work a little to hold it together as she is beautiful, loves Black Sabbath, and is one of the most innovative guitar players in the world. Rodrigo and Gabriela’s breathtaking chops are being supplemented on this tour by a Cuban band and it was truly an embarrassment of riches. The supplemental sounds provided some great moments without overshadowing the mighty duo whose names were on the tickets. The interview with Gab will be edited with the concert and air down the line on WFUV.

Video Review of Geils/Aerosmith Show Last Summer

Print Review of Terrence Blanchard & Dr. John from last year’s Jazzfest

Day One: Psychotic Medication

The 41th annual Jazzfest kicked off today on a wet and wild day in New Orleans.

I started shortly after noon by taking in some traditional blues and ragtime played by Clive Wilson’s New Orleans Serenaders featuring Butch Thomson. Some fine trombone, clarinet, and trumpet playing highlighted by a pair of Jelly Roll Morton numbers.

More outstanding local talent followed with Kenny Neal in the Blues Tent and he was putting on a clinic on guitar as you would expect from someone whose guitar teachers included Buddy Guy and Slim Harpo. What started as a drizzle as the show was beginning, however, turned into a colossal downpour to the extent that water flooded the tent! It was about five inches deep and people had to laugh it off or spill out to another area of the fairgrounds and take their chances. I did both. After Kenny wrapped up, I decided to leave the relative security of the Blues Tent but I still had to choose between Dr. John and the Lower 9-11 on one Stage OR George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic on another.

I started with Dr. John and he was in absolute top form. He was ranting on stage and pounding the keys on his piano which was topped by a couple of skulls! He made references to being on psychotic medication and said that these days he says a lot of things people don’t want to hear but he doesn’t care. He advised, “When you say something, mean the Mother*”! The Lower 9-11 was stellar to the point that I had to tear myself away to go get a look at George Clinton. I gave it about 10 minutes but the energy wasn’t near what the Dr. was delivering so I hurried back for the end of the latter’s set.

It’s turned into a muddy, absurd experience. I’m barefoot in the press tent now using a computer. I’m soaked to the bone but I’m going to get some Crawfish and at least take in a few minutes of Steel Pulse before I get back to the hotel. I may try to catch a little of the Black Crowes and I would have liked to have caught a little of the Elvin Bishop set too but I have to draw the line somewhere. I really need a shower.

Day Two: Jubilation: We Love Them Again

As evidenced yesterday by Kenny Neal and Dr. John, I try to feast on at much local New Orleans music as well as food so I began today with the always entertaining Cowboy Mouth and their adorable bass player Regina Zernay. This group really knows how to party even if they are playing at 2 in the afternoon. However, as this is Jazzfest, I was determined to spend some quality time in the Jazz Tent and it turned out to be well spent. I got turned on to a mean guitar player named Steve Masakowski who had many talented pals billed as Guitar Workshop with Todd Duke, and Jake Eckert.

Steve was playing a custom nine string and the highlight was a Wes Montgomery thing that was very tasty.

More essential N’awlins music followed with the Funky Meters led by Art Neville on keys and his son Ian Neville now on guitar. Ian is absolutely worthy of the gig and they were laying it down in a manner befitting their legendary status.

However, I didn’t watch all that much as I was curious about Terence Blanchard back in the much more intimate Jazz Tent. I felt good about my decision when TB’s band, which represented Cuba and Nigeria among other locales, rolled through a set that was dynamic, nuanced, versatile, and compelling throughout. Towards the beginning they were dreamy but not sleepy but near the end the sax and trumpet were getting involved in spirited duels. The rhythm section and piano player (who had two other keyboard rigs set up atop the baby grand and which he occasionally played simultaneously) were equal to their bandmates. Dynamite set but as the last note rang out I had to scamper to the main stage.

Lastly, and at last, it was Simon & Garfunkel! After not touring for over 20 years, these two reunited for a tour at the end of 2003 and in the summer of 04 but then they weren’t seen again in the States with the exception of last year’s special re-opening of the Beacon and the R&R Hall of Fame concerts at Madison Square Garden.

This was the opening night of 13 dates the duo from Forest Hills has announced for 2010!

My Morning Jacket was playing on another stage but I couldn’t walk away from S&G. The shine was shining after local weather gurus forecasted rain at an 80% probability.

After a short time, I began to suspect Art’s voice was not at 100% and it was confirmed soon after when he confessed his voice was a little elusive. This had little effect on the enthusiasm of the crowd that was among the largest for a single act in the history of the festival. It was Art’s first trip to Jazzfest and he said there was no way he would miss it. The fans sloshing in the mud represented supporters from around the States and around the world.

Paul give his old amigo a rest and did a set solo that featured Diamonds and Bubble from Graceland and Only Livin’ Boy in New York! He also included Slip Slidin Away and My Little Town from his solo body of work. When Art rejoined, the energy in New Orleans spiked and the remainder of the concert was thrilling. Paul asked him if he was going to make it and Art said he didn’t know! Having Art’s voice crack a little on Scarborough Fair or another classic somehow did not take anything away from the enjoyment of those songs. Perhaps the imperfections even made the performance more emotional because we were all routing for him to hit the high notes.

When Art nailed the first verse of Bridge Over Troubled Water, the fairgrounds erupted but Paul had to relieve him and do the second verse. With Paul’s hand on his shoulder, Art rejoined on the third and it was magical. Their arms raised in triumph, locked together, at the conclusion caused some wetness in the eyes of more than one fan.

Sound of Silence, The Boxer, and Celia followed as encores. Those will be the last notes I’ll hear in New Orleans for the 2010 Jazzfest but Levon Helm, Shawn Colvin, and the Allmans lead the charge tomorrow and next weekend’s performers include Pearl Jam, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Government Mule, Widespread Panic, Aretha Franklin, Gipsy Kings, Jeff Beck, and The Dead Weather. I’d love to stay but I’ve got to get back to NYC.