Khris Royal & Dark Matter @ Blue Nile - 11pm
Tin Men @ dba - 7pm
The Dirty Heads + The Movement + New Politics @ House of Blues - 8pm
Alex Morris + Maxwell Eaton + Featherbeard @ Loyola University - Satchmo's Cafe - 7pm
The Moody Blues @ Mahalia Jackson Theatre - 8pm
Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes @ Maple Leaf - 11pm
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Short List: Tuesday April 26th
John Rankin, Johnny Vidacovich & Jesse Boyd @ The Columns - 8pm
Rebirth @ The Leaf - 11pm
Thelonious Monk Institute Ensemble @ Snug Harbor - 8pm
Kermit Ruffins @ Bullet's Sports Bar
Rebirth @ The Leaf - 11pm
Thelonious Monk Institute Ensemble @ Snug Harbor - 8pm
Kermit Ruffins @ Bullet's Sports Bar
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Short List: Wednesday, April 13th
Tin Men @ dba - 7pm
Walter "Wolfman" Washington @ dba - 9pm
Khris Royal @ Maple Leaf - 11pm
Kermit Ruffins @ Wednesdays at the Square - Lafayette Square - 5pm
Walter "Wolfman" Washington @ dba - 9pm
Khris Royal @ Maple Leaf - 11pm
Kermit Ruffins @ Wednesdays at the Square - Lafayette Square - 5pm
The Loews Hotel - Great for an evening drink
Last Wednesday I stopped in at the Loews Hotel Swizzle Stick Bar on my way home from Wednesdays at the Square. I've actually been going to quite a few hotel lounges lately, and so far the Loews is my favorite. The decor is typical for a hotel: plush cream colored couched and bar stools, mirrors and art everywhere and little nook-like seating areas. There are, though, some factors that made it better than most of the other lounges I've seen.
The Good
-Damned good Sazeracs. Damned. Good.
-The bar/restaurant is actually run by the Commanders Palace family of restaurants, so the food is probably killer (still on a bit of a budget when it comes to food myself).
-Personable yet professional barstaff - they kept the place clean while keeping up a conversation.
-The atmosphere was quiet and calm. There wasn't some silly jazz band playing or drunk tourists all over the place. Just a few people having a few drinks.
The Not-So-Good
-As with any hotel lounge, it was pricey.
Good to Know
-Ladies, the bathroom was a bit hard to find. It's to the left and down the hall. Don't be confused if you walk through the door into yet another hall - it's one of those fancy sitting rooms.
-The kitchen stays open till 11 - maybe a good place for a mid-evening snack?
The Good
-Damned good Sazeracs. Damned. Good.
-The bar/restaurant is actually run by the Commanders Palace family of restaurants, so the food is probably killer (still on a bit of a budget when it comes to food myself).
-Personable yet professional barstaff - they kept the place clean while keeping up a conversation.
-The atmosphere was quiet and calm. There wasn't some silly jazz band playing or drunk tourists all over the place. Just a few people having a few drinks.
The Not-So-Good
-As with any hotel lounge, it was pricey.
Good to Know
-Ladies, the bathroom was a bit hard to find. It's to the left and down the hall. Don't be confused if you walk through the door into yet another hall - it's one of those fancy sitting rooms.
-The kitchen stays open till 11 - maybe a good place for a mid-evening snack?
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Short List: Monday, April 11th
Glen David Andrews @ dba - 9pm
Papa Grows Funk @ Maple Leaf - 11pm
Washboard Chaz Blues Trio @ Sugar Park - 8pm
Papa Grows Funk @ Maple Leaf - 11pm
Washboard Chaz Blues Trio @ Sugar Park - 8pm
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Short List: Sunday April 10th - Special French Quarter Fest Edition
A friend and local photographer did me a solid and highlighted all of the FQF bands that I probably haven't seen but definitely should. So here are my top picks combined with his:
WWL-TV Stage:
11:00-12:15 - Panorama Jazz Band
12:30-1:45 - Pfister Sisters
Abita Beer Stage:
11:00-12:00 - Thelonious Monk Jazz Institute Ensemble
2:00-3:30 - 101 Runners
Coca-Cola Esplanade in the Shade Stage:
2:00-3:30 - Creole String Beans
3:45-5:15 - Tin Men
300 Bourbon:
12:00-2:00 - Leo Jackson & the Melody Clouds
2:30-4:30 - Glen David Andrews
7:00-11:00 - Shannon Powell Trio
400 Royal Fest Family Stage:
4:30-5:45 - Linnzi Zaorski
533 Royal:
2:00-2:30 - Luke Winslow-King
700 Royal:
1:45-3:15 - Zazou City
200 Decatur:
3:00-4:45 - Khris Royal and Dark Matter
WWL-TV Stage:
11:00-12:15 - Panorama Jazz Band
12:30-1:45 - Pfister Sisters
Abita Beer Stage:
11:00-12:00 - Thelonious Monk Jazz Institute Ensemble
2:00-3:30 - 101 Runners
Coca-Cola Esplanade in the Shade Stage:
2:00-3:30 - Creole String Beans
3:45-5:15 - Tin Men
300 Bourbon:
12:00-2:00 - Leo Jackson & the Melody Clouds
2:30-4:30 - Glen David Andrews
7:00-11:00 - Shannon Powell Trio
400 Royal Fest Family Stage:
4:30-5:45 - Linnzi Zaorski
533 Royal:
2:00-2:30 - Luke Winslow-King
700 Royal:
1:45-3:15 - Zazou City
200 Decatur:
3:00-4:45 - Khris Royal and Dark Matter
The Short List: Saturday April 9th - Special French Quarter Fest Edition
A friend and local photographer did me a solid and highlighted all of the FQF bands that I probably haven't seen but definitely should. So here are my top picks combined with his:
Abita Beer Stage:
12:15-1:30 - Neslort
7:45-9:00 - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Harrah's Louis-Louis Pavillion Stage:
2:15-5:15 - Honey Island Swamp Band
5:30-7:00 - Alex McMurray
Capital One Bank Riverside Legacy Stage:
2:45-4:15 - Magnetic Ear
Offbeat Cajun/Zydeco Showcase at the Aquarium Plaza:
7:15-8:45 - Amanda Shaw
726 St. Peter:
6:00-7:00 - Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses
Malibu Rum Latin/World Stage:
12:45-2:00 - Mas Mamones
300 Bourbon:
2:30-4:30 - Baby Boyz Brass Band
400 Royal Fest Family Stage:
11:00-12:15 - Alex Bosworth
3:45-5:00 - Kid Merv
533 Royal:
4:15-5:00 - Kristin Diable
700 Royal:
1:45-3:15 - Helen Gillet's Wazozo
3:30-5:00 - Washboard Chaz Blues Trio
200 Decatur:
4:35-6:00 - Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives
Abita Beer Stage:
12:15-1:30 - Neslort
7:45-9:00 - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Harrah's Louis-Louis Pavillion Stage:
2:15-5:15 - Honey Island Swamp Band
5:30-7:00 - Alex McMurray
Capital One Bank Riverside Legacy Stage:
2:45-4:15 - Magnetic Ear
Offbeat Cajun/Zydeco Showcase at the Aquarium Plaza:
7:15-8:45 - Amanda Shaw
726 St. Peter:
6:00-7:00 - Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses
Malibu Rum Latin/World Stage:
12:45-2:00 - Mas Mamones
300 Bourbon:
2:30-4:30 - Baby Boyz Brass Band
400 Royal Fest Family Stage:
11:00-12:15 - Alex Bosworth
3:45-5:00 - Kid Merv
533 Royal:
4:15-5:00 - Kristin Diable
700 Royal:
1:45-3:15 - Helen Gillet's Wazozo
3:30-5:00 - Washboard Chaz Blues Trio
200 Decatur:
4:35-6:00 - Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives
The Short List: Friday April 8th
Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes @ Blue Nile - 10pm
Good Enough for Good Times @ the Leaf - 11pm
Big Sam's Funky Nation @ Rock and Bowl - 10pm
Good Enough for Good Times @ the Leaf - 11pm
Big Sam's Funky Nation @ Rock and Bowl - 10pm
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Short List: Wednesday April 6th
Wednesdays at the Square Ft. Troy Andrews @ Lafayette Square - 5-7pm
The Tin Men @ dba - 7pm
Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes @ Maple Leaf - 11pm
The Tin Men @ dba - 7pm
Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes @ Maple Leaf - 11pm
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Matisyahu at the Howlin' Wolf - Unfortunately Lackluster
Last Thursday I found out about a relatively unpublicized Matisyahu show. It wasn't listed on WWOZ or Nola.com or even Offbeat. I actually found out about it from a flyer left lying around on Loyola University's St. Charles campus. I figured, what the hell, I love seeing new music and $10 isn't bad at all.
As I arrived at the Howlin' Wolf, I saw a line of college kids down half the block. I didn't have to wait for more than ten minutes though, which was fine since the management had decided to make the venue non smoking (still not sure if it was just for that night or a new policy. Any ideas?) and I wanted to have a smoke before I got inside.
While I was buying a drink I barely paid attention to what I thought was the set break music. Then I turned around and realized that it was Matisyahu and his band.
I can't put my finger on what exactly went wrong at this show. The whole building lacked energy. Matisyahu looked bored on stage. Granted, I've never seen him play before, so maybe he's usually that static when he performs. From a technical viewpoint he was fine. He sang well and could spit like crazy. The quality of his overall sound was exactly what I'd expect to hear live after listening to a few of his recorded songs. I actually enjoy the way he meshes rock and reggae, too; so it wasn't the genre itself.
His band was also technically sound. They were all obviously pro and I couldn't hear one thing wrong with the instrumentation. For awhile though, I felt a strange disconnect between Matisyahu and his band. They were both playing the same song, but it sounded like they were playing two separate versions of it or they were milliseconds off from each other. The drummer was killing it though, so I just zoned in on him for awhile.
The crowd was young. I know a lot of the students got free tickets and I wonder how many people were there because they like Matisyahu and how many were there because it was a free/cheap show and they knew people who were going. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; I support going out to see music for any reason. Still, a large portion the audience didn't show a whole bunch of interest in the show. That also could have been because they felt the way I did about the band, but then we're getting into a chicken and egg scenario.
Overall I was disappointed. If he rolls back through town I'd probably give him another shot, but on Thursday I didn't even bother to stay for the last few songs.
As I arrived at the Howlin' Wolf, I saw a line of college kids down half the block. I didn't have to wait for more than ten minutes though, which was fine since the management had decided to make the venue non smoking (still not sure if it was just for that night or a new policy. Any ideas?) and I wanted to have a smoke before I got inside.
While I was buying a drink I barely paid attention to what I thought was the set break music. Then I turned around and realized that it was Matisyahu and his band.
I can't put my finger on what exactly went wrong at this show. The whole building lacked energy. Matisyahu looked bored on stage. Granted, I've never seen him play before, so maybe he's usually that static when he performs. From a technical viewpoint he was fine. He sang well and could spit like crazy. The quality of his overall sound was exactly what I'd expect to hear live after listening to a few of his recorded songs. I actually enjoy the way he meshes rock and reggae, too; so it wasn't the genre itself.
His band was also technically sound. They were all obviously pro and I couldn't hear one thing wrong with the instrumentation. For awhile though, I felt a strange disconnect between Matisyahu and his band. They were both playing the same song, but it sounded like they were playing two separate versions of it or they were milliseconds off from each other. The drummer was killing it though, so I just zoned in on him for awhile.
The crowd was young. I know a lot of the students got free tickets and I wonder how many people were there because they like Matisyahu and how many were there because it was a free/cheap show and they knew people who were going. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; I support going out to see music for any reason. Still, a large portion the audience didn't show a whole bunch of interest in the show. That also could have been because they felt the way I did about the band, but then we're getting into a chicken and egg scenario.
Overall I was disappointed. If he rolls back through town I'd probably give him another shot, but on Thursday I didn't even bother to stay for the last few songs.
The Short List: Tuesday April 5th
Rebirth @ The Leaf - 11pm
Jason Marsalis @ Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - 8pm
Scissor Sisters @ House of Blues - 8pm
Jason Marsalis @ Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - 8pm
Scissor Sisters @ House of Blues - 8pm
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Short List: Monday April 4th
John Cleary @ Chickie Wah Wah - 8pm
Glen David Andrews @ dba - 9pm
Papa Grows Funk @ The Maple Leaf - 11pm
Glen David Andrews @ dba - 9pm
Papa Grows Funk @ The Maple Leaf - 11pm
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Video: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Bobby McFerrin is a genius and an incredible vocalist. In this video taken during the 2009 World Science Festival he demonstrates his intimate understanding of the effects of music on the human mind. Super effing cool.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Short List: Friday April 1st
Kermit Ruffins @ Blue Nile - 10:30pm
Radiators @ the Leaf - 11pm
Washboard Chaz Blues Trio @ Spotted Cat - 6pm
Burlesque Ballroom featuring Trixie Minx and Linnzi Zaorski @ Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - 12am
Radiators @ the Leaf - 11pm
Washboard Chaz Blues Trio @ Spotted Cat - 6pm
Burlesque Ballroom featuring Trixie Minx and Linnzi Zaorski @ Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse - 12am
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