Jazz Fest 2007- Part 3

Finally! I have a few minutes to try to complete my Jazz Fest 2007 blog.

When last I wrote, Day 2 of the Fest had closed down, with the Allman Bros. playing to a packed house at Gentilly.

You'd think that was enough, but the fun was really just starting. We had tickets that night for a double bill of New Orleans legend Dr. John with Gov't Mule. I was hoping that the Mule's penchant for inviting guests to come out to play might provide some interesting music, but even more intriguing was that the good Dr. was being billed as Dr. John, The Night Tripper!

But, of course, you can't have a night of music without a little nourishment first, so we headed back to the Warehouse District where the Contemporary Arts Center resides to see what we could find. When we were in the area before, to have dinner at Cochon, we'd seen an Asian place called "Hipsticks" that looked intriguing, so we decided to see if we could get in. It turned out to be a really nice Asian fusion menu, combining Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisines with just a splash of New Orleans thrown in for good measure (Dave's Asian Po' Boy). I had a delicious sampling of what was billed as Singapore Street Noodles, a rice noodle dish with shrimp and vegetables covered in an exquisite peanut sauce!! It was a good find and also just something a little "change of pace" for us.

Now, it was off to see The Night Tripper!!!

For those that don't know, Mac Rebennack assumed the persona of Dr. John, The Night Tripper back in 1968 when he released the album Gris Gris. The character was based on an actual New Orleans Voodoo practitioner from the 1800's named Dr. John Creaux. The resulting record and subsequent persona drew heavily on African rhythms, 60's psychedelia, and New Orleans swamp hoodoo.

I've seen Dr. John a number of times in the past, but not billed as the Night Tripper--- so the anticipation was high!

We were not to be disappointed.

When we arrived, the show had already gotten started ( who has EVER heard of a New Orleans show kicking off early!!!), but we hadn't missed too much.

The Dr. was dressed in his full Hoodoo regalia, complete with headdress, beads and feathers. There were two sensuous young ladies dancing about the stage as if in trances, and indeed, the music was hypnotic. There was to be no "Right Place, Wrong Time" tonight. We were truly under the hoodoo moon, and our voodoo Prince was none too happy!!! Dr. John has always been passionate about his hometown and never so much as since Katrina blew in!

Dr. John, The Night Tripper

As he stalked about the stage with arms splayed and fingers outstretched like talons, he gave the appearance of a bird of prey on the hunt. And he was looking for all the local, state, and federal officials who he felt had let the people of New Orleans down post-Katrina. At one point he began pointedly quoting from Psalms 109:

"Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.

Let his days be few; and let another take his office. "

He continued:

"Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.

As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. "

Dr. John Creaux, voodoo priest, was most definitely in the house and he was truly pissed off!!!

It truly made for a memorable show, unlike any other I've ever seen from Dr. John.

I suppose the only bad thing was that after that, Gov't Mule really didn't hold much impact. Although they did start off strong with a version of "John The Revelator" that seemed to continue on where Dr. John left off, I must admit that the set seemed to just ramble on at times. We ended up staying for the first set, but decided to call it a night after that, with the memories of Dr. John's rant still fresh in our hearts and minds!!

It was probably good to turn in earlier than expected, as Sunday looked like it was going to be the toughest day of the Festival. I still hadn't begun to decide who I was going to see and who I was going to miss on the final day. One thing was certain----there was NO WAY to see everyone that I'd have liked to. It was really a stellar lineup on Sunday.

We set off fairly early Sunday, as I was most certainly not going to miss a chance to see the first lady of New Orleans Jazz, Miss Germaine Bazzle at 12:30. I'll never forget hearing her for the first time during the year of the "MudFest" as I recall it. Kevin Rock has a great picture of a little boy on his father's shoulders snapping his fingers along to Ms. Bazzle's singing. It's a classic, but you'll have to settle for one of mine instead!

One of the things she's famous for is her ability to make her voice sound like almost any musical instrument. This photo is her "playing" a trombone!

Miss Germaine Bazzle


It was really the perfect way to start the final day the Fest, and it got so good to me that I decided to stick around the Jazz tent for a little of Jeremy Davenport. He'd been displaced to St. Louis by Katrina, but is now back in town doing his regular gig at the Ritz Carlton.

Davenport is a bit of a modern Chet Baker, alternating between his trumpet and his gorgeous vocals.

Jeremy Davenport on stage

I really didn't stick around for long, as the race had begun. I was gonna have to make some tough choices from here on, and I decided to try and catch some of Big Sam's Funky Nation on the Congo Square stage.

I really hadn't known much about Big Sam Williams when I saw him fronting the horn section of last summer's Elvis Costello/Allen Toussaint "River In Reverse" tour. He was simply mesmerizing!! No one on or off the stage had more fun than Big Sam, and it was contagious!

So, it was a real delight to see him out front with his own band, playing for the hometown crowd. And he's still having fun!!

Big Sam!

Seeing Sam really made me start thinking about the Costello/Toussaint show. And while I'd planned to skip Allen Toussaint this year, The Funky Nation put me in the mood. So off I headed for the ever crowded Acura Stage!

If you haven't seen Toussaint or don't know of him, it is a true oversight on your part---one that you should seek to correct. Not only is he one of America's great songwriters/arrangers/producers, but he is also a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

When I arrived at the Acura stage, Toussaint and his band were performing "Who's Gonna Help A Brother" from the "River In Reverse" record and he carried on this theme to the end of his set (I just couldn't pull myself away) where he called out to displaced New Orleanians (including the 2 year no show Neville Bros) to "Come Home!".

Allen Toussaint calling 'em home!

At this point I just gave up on the idea of trying to trot across the fairgrounds to see a bit of Joss Stone and settled in to see the legendary Steely Dan perform for the first time in over a quarter century!

And look who reared his ugly head while I was waiting!! None other than the infamous "Beatle Bob".

Arrgghh, it's Beatle Bob!!!

It was really great to see Steely Dan again after all those years. As usual, Becker and Fagen have surrounded themselves with a phenomenal group of young players who have thoroughly mastered Dan's extensive catalog.

I can't really think of a song you'd want to hear that they didn't perform. Fagen was in good voice and good humor, and Becker reeled off a number of tasty solos on his strat. I had to leave before their finale because I'd sworn to myself that I wouldn't miss seeing Dottie Peoples in the Gospel tent, but I fully intend to not wait another 25 years to see Steely Dan again!!

Steely Dan at Jazz Fest 2007

Walter Becker solos!

Donald Fagen (melodica slung over shoulder) sings!

So, off I went in search of salvation from the Gospel Tent on this most glorious of Sundays!

I'd never heard of Dottie Peoples until I picked up the tribute CD, "Gotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs Of Bob Dylan" and heard her incredible version of "I Believe In You", but after hearing that and hearing what other folks were saying about her, I knew she was not to be missed.

Now there are a lot of wonderful things to do at Jazz Fest, but none is better than Sunday church at the Gospel Tent. If you don't believe when you walk in, you're gonna have a hard time walking out without at least a little salvation!! And Dottie was most definitely conducting services on this Sunday. Backed by a small, but very rocking band, she was bringing the house down with her soulful and sincere ministry.

Dottie Peoples spreading The Word

Praising The Lord in the Gospel Tent!!

And you know, while I'd had every intention of walking out of Dottie's set and heading off to see a little Harry Connick, Jr. or perhaps Taj Mahal, when I walked out of that tent, it just felt right to close it out just like that.

This final segment of the 2007 Jazz Fest had begun with an admonishing reading of scripture by Dr. John and it seemed fitting that it end with the singing of His praises by Dottie Peoples!

As I walked to the buses to head back to the hotel, I was already missing New Orleans, knowing I'd have to wait another year before I could get back here for more of the truly spiritual healing that only this city can provide. We can only pray that by the time we get back next year, there will be considerably more recovery for the people of this fair city, cause the truth is it's those people that are the true spirit of the city. Without them, there'd be none of the food or music or pageantry that we so enjoy each year.

There's still much to be done, and I'd urge everyone reading this to help in whatever way you can.

If you can go visit and spend a little money on food and lodging and maybe a few souvenirs, that'd be great. If not, try to send a few bucks to Habitat For Humanity or The New Orleans Musicians Free Clinic. Both of these groups are doing great things on the ground locally in New Orleans.

And, of course, don't forget your prayers for the folks who are trying so hard to get their lives back together!!

St. Louis Cathedral as seen from Jackson Square