People are moving slowly, looking a bit pale and trying to avoid direct sunlight….sounds like the French Quarter claimed a few victims last night. But as all true fans should be, nothing can stop them in their pursuit of the best tunes to be found, even with a throbbing head.

My first stop is at the WWOZ Stage for Groovesect, a native New Orleans funk group whose I first saw at an after hours gig at the Telluride Jazz Festival In August. Unfortunately I arrived too late to catch the whole set but hopefully they will make it through the DFW area soon to give them my full attention.

A small hike away over to the Preservation Hall Tent found me in front of Christian Scott, a native New Orleanian who graduated from the esteemed Berklee College of Music. Sweet horn action that reminds me of Roy Hargrove and Wynton Marsalis.

Back in front of the WWOZ Stage and "Trombone Shorty", otherwise known as Troy Andrews, is getting the crowd in the groove with Orleans Ave. Troy has shared the stage with the likes of Lenny Kravitz and with this much energy and enthusiasm, he has a long career ahead of him.

Keep on Reading about Voodoo Music Festival Review & Photos – Day 3 – Oct 28, 2007 – New Orleans

Tags: "Trombone Shorty", Christian Scott, Groovesect, Marc Broussard, Troy Andrews, Voodoo Fest - New Orleans

Filed under Voodoo Fest - New Orleans by Mel

Buzz Up Digg Mixx Twitter

Email Print

October 28, 2007

Voodoo Music Festival Review & Photos – Day 2 – Oct 27, 2007 – New Orleans

For a live video stream of the festival, go to iClips.net

Saturday’s weather was almost a replica of Friday and the crowd was streaming in as I arrived about noon. Most of my day was reserved for the WWOZ Stage as a variety of funk bands make their appearance.

The Jamie McLean Band are the first ones to grace the WWOZ Stage. Jamie used to make his home in New Orleans as a guitarist for Dirty Dozen Brass Band, but now resides in New York. He has played with a variety of artists from Dave Matthews to Dr. John and even brought up Roger Lewis from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band with the smallest sax I have ever seen.

I then made a quick trek over to the Preservation Hall tent to catch Kermit Ruffins & The Barbeque Swingers. Kermit co-founded the Rebirth Brass Band back in the early 80’s and has become a well known figure among the many musicians in New Orleans.

Heading back to the WWOZ Stage, I hear the sounds from Dan Dyer from Austin, TX.

Now the party starts with Big Sam’s Funky Nation. A former trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, he took the crowd off the blankets and dancing their hangovers away. You don’t dare stand still for fear of Big Sam calling you out.

The funky sounds continue with Porter – Batiste – Stoltz.

Keep on Reading about Voodoo Music Festival Review & Photos – Day 2 – Oct 27, 2007 – New Orleans

Tags: Ben Harper, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Dan Dyer, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dumpstaphunk, George Porter Jr., Henry Butler, Ivan Neville, Jamie McLean, Kermit Ruffins, Leo Nocentilli, New Orleans Social Club, Raymond Weber, Roger Lewis, Voodoo Fest - New Orleans

Filed under Voodoo Fest - New Orleans by Mel

Buzz Up Digg Mixx Twitter

Email Print

October 27, 2007

Voodoo Music Festival Review & Photos – Day 1 – Oct 26, 2007 – New Orleans

For a live video stream of Voodoo Festival, go to iClips.net

Fantastic day down in the "Big Easy" with temps in the high 60’s and not a cloud in sight, but plenty of music, food and cold adult beverages. I love my life…..

I did not arrive until about 1 and wandered around for a while checking out the crowd and getting familiar with the layout. Stages are spread out so no bleed over and the two main stages have offsetting schedules so no overlap there. Very nice….

I start the day checking out Galactic and guest Boots Riley at the Voodoo Stage for a bit of hip hop action to get my blood moving. I am not a huge fan of hip hop but decided to download Galactic’s latest album From The Corner To The Block and listened to it all the way through trying not to be judgemental. Two thumbs up as far as I am concerned.

It was time for a little more brass action as I headed over to the WWOZ Stage for trombone heavy Bonerama. Even after catching them last month at the Telluride Blues Festival, I still can’t get enough of these guys. Even with the mud and muck in front of the stage, that did not stop people from dancing and getting their groove on.

Or getting a bit romantic…..

Next stop on the parade was to catch Jason Isbell at the Playstation/Billboard stage. A former member of the Drive By Truckers and now out on his own, he was a bit bummed he could not hang out here with the crowd and enjoy the bands over the weekend….

I spent the rest of the day at the WWOZ Stage and wandered back in time to hear CC Adcock & Lil’ Band of Gold from Lafayette, LA,. CC kind of had the Elvis look going on, but the crowd had the heads bobbing to the cajun influenced rock.

JJ Grey & MOFRO were up next and the crowd was getting thicker as the Jacksonville, FL based band got their swamp funk going on. JJ bounced back and forth between the keyboards, guitar and harmonica and made the patrons forget that mud and muck was ankle deep.

Toots and the Maytals were the last band up with some reggae action. Toots daughter, Leba, came out first for a warmup, but their was no need as this crowd was ready for the main course. I hung out for a few songs and then headed for the gate with the Jamaican sounds heavy in the air . Good start to the weekend.