Stomping In New Orleans

Just got back from New Orleans where I was working at the Ponderosa Stomp. Two nights of insane rock n' roll is their motto, and it's spot on. The music started around 6:30 each night and didn't finish until about 3:30. Musical highlights were numerous: Wardell Quezergue's set with Mac Rebennack (aka Dr. John), Jean Knight ("Mr. Big Stuff"), Tammy Lynn, and Tony Owens; the incredible delta blues of Louisiana Red; supercharged rockabilly from the Collins Kids; Eddie Bo showing us a history of funk; the Tail Dragger (a Howlin' Wolf protege) crawling onstage; Barbara Lynn ("We Got A Good Thing Goin'"); and the highly energized ? and the Mysterians; and many more.

The beauty of the Stomp is that it's all there at once and you can literally see and hear the connections between blues, rockabilly, swamp pop, girl groups, surf, funk, soul, gospel, garage rock and psych. The downside is that at any given time, there are often two or three amazing acts playing; it's an embarrassment of riches! Other amazing moments included joking around with Roy Head ("Treat Her Right") and eating a new dish called Pasta-laya backstage with Stomp organizer Grace Callahan. Congratulations to Stomp curator Dr. Ike on an incredible festival. My advice to you? Start planning a trip to New Orleans in late April next year.

Here's Bill Kopp of SKOPE Magazine following an interview with the Green Fuz.








Here's Mac Rebbenack, better known as Dr. John, sitting in during the Wardell Quezergue Rhythm & Blues Revue, one of the highlights of the Stomp for me.










Curator Dr. Ira "Dr. Ike" Padnos was interviewed by Phillip Rollins of MTV.com's Street Team at the Louisiana Museum Cabildo.







Here's swamp blues legend Lazy Lester (original singer of the song "Ponderosa Stomp"), New Orleans electric bluesman Little Freddie King, and Mrs. Samantha Padnos (Stomp organizer and Dr. Ike's wife).







Here's Lester, ? (of Question Mark and the Mysterians) and yours truly backstage.

Blues Traveling

So it was off to Memphis and Mississippi last week for some bbq, some blues and some friends. I had a great time and saw a whole lot in a short period of time. Even got patches of sun while I was down there! Here are a few highlights:

This is Elmore James' grave, in Ebenezer, MS. He first learned how to amplify his guitar in nearby Canton, MS and went on to make some of the best slide guitar recordings I've ever heard. It doesn't get better than "Wild About You, Woman" and "Dust My Broom."

The best soul food in Jackson, MS, or so we were told. Some scrumptious fried chicken, yams, cornbread and turnip greens.

This is a guitar made by and belonging to Clarksdale, MS bluesman Super Chikan. I want one!

Here I am on Mississippi John Hurt's porch in Avalon, MS. "Avalon's my hometown, always on my mind. Pretty womens in Avalon want me there all the time," he sang.

Here's a blues mural, with a closeup of Eddie Cusic, who played some of the best live Delta blues I've ever heard and told us some amazing stories about the old days. Cusic taught Little Milton how to play and how to be a bluesman.
DJ "Sunshine" Sonny Payne has hosted The King Biscuit Flower Hour for over 15,000 shows from Helena, AR.

Here I am at Memphis' venerable bar/ex-brothel Ernestine & Hazel's examining a jukebox that may or may not still be functional.

Can't wait to go back!