House of Blues just unveiled their annual late night Jazz Fest schedule and once again it is slam-packed with familiar festival favorites, a few newcomers, and a couple of spectacular second weekend Superjams up in the friendlier, darker and tinier confines of the Parish Room.
Yesterday, LMB NOLA got the opportunity to interview Leo Nocentelli of Meters funk guitar fame, who quickly told us from his home in Burbank, CA that he was eager and “getting ready to come down to the Gumbo and do what I do.” This weekend marks a special trip for Nocentelli back to the Big Easy, as it will be the first time the New Orleans native has ridden a Mardi Gras float, where he will serve as a Grand Marshal on Sunday’s Thor parade in Metairie. Additionally, the guitarist will be receiving an honorary Mardi Gras Gibson guitar prototype billed as “The Bourbon Street” that, if all goes as planned, should hit store racks soon. Fans wanting to see the guitarist perform this weekend are in luck, as Nocentelli will also be performing with a polished cast of players as The Meters Experience on Friday night at Tipitina’s. Among other topics, Nocentelli chatted with us about the chances of a more extensive Meters reunion, the origins and phonetics of the Nocentelli name, and a solo album with some special guests in the works.
Safe to say that February 2012 is quite a big month for New Orleans’ finest overgrown rhythm section, as Galactic is set to release their latest LP Carnivale Electros on Mardi Gras Day (February 21) on Anti- Records. Their rework of the Al “Carnival Time” Johnson’s iconic Mardi Gras tune can be heard below and the band is set to perform a pair of shows at Tipitina’s once again on Saturday and Lundi Gras next weekend. Continue below to hear Galactic’s new take on an old classic.
For the first time in over a year, James Hall was back in town to play Carrollton Station with longtime friend and collaborator Michael Blum who supplied support on lap steel. Opening the night was Blum’s newest project, Mystery Girl (Josh Katz – Lead Vocals, Mike Blum – Lead Guitar/Lap Steel, Nate Peek – Bass, Nino Mazzaro – Acoustic Guitar, and Steve Gopaul – Drums). When they took the stage the first thing that went through my head was RRRROOOOOOOOOOORRRRR!!!!!, but in life and music you can’t judge a book by a cover, anchored by Blum’s steel and guitar, Mystery Girl cruised through ten tracks of pleasantness. A pinch of country, rock, and folk rounded out the sound. The opening set served as the perfect compliment to Hall’s set.
Check back periodically, this post will be updated as more shows are announced. Go crazy.
We’re already a month into 2012 and therefore it’s time to take a quick look back at what local artists were up to in January. With such big events as Jam Cruise, Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s 50th Anniversary blowout at Carnegie Hall, the Best of the Beat Awards last weekend, there’s already been a healthy amount of big events featuring NOLA bands. As always, there’s plenty of live music filling the clubs here and with the ongoing Carnival season, the live music schedule in town is only going to heat up for the next 2 1/2 weeks leading to Mardi Gras. Check out the newly-minted tracks below and get down to some live music this Carnival season.
Swedish folk singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik is currently on a busy tour of the South that is currently parked in New Orleans for a couple shows this weekend, starting with a set at Chickie Wah-Wahlast night. ... Photographer Marc Pagani snagged some great shots from her show...
Nashville duo JEFF the Brotherhood put together an industrious yet brief set at House of Blues last Thursday, but managed to make the most of their allotted time. The brothers Orrall — Jake on guitar and Jamin on drums – tossed headliner The Kills a softball with a revved up crowd after a mere forty minutes of thrashing garage punk. Set up and break down time was never an issue as they travelled light – drum set, guitar, and Jake’s set of pipes. The regulated uniform of the times – flannel, ripped denim (personalized vest in Jake’s case) and mop hair – was faithfully observed, as was PBR-swilling. All of these things were positives in JtB’s case. Simply put, these guys are fun. Hating is not an option. A lack of cynicism in their lyrics comes through in their show.
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