...and I was in New Orleans I would most likely head over to Frenchmen Street..Starting at 6pm you can move pretty easily up and down the street, in and out of the clubs- Spotted Cat, d.b.a., Apple Barrel, Blue Nile, Three Muses to name a few- catching whole or partial sets of some of the best musicians in the city. Most clubs have no or low cover charges and you can get a "go" cup and take your drink with you as you move about. Additionally, as the night goes on there is usually a very lively street scene developing which almost always includes a brass band blowing out on a street corner and a impromptu dance party happening out in the street. One of my favorite scenes in New Orleans! (and yes..that did rhyme)....
...it must be Kermit Ruffins at Vaughn's..altho if you weren't in New Orleans last Thursday you could have caught his show in NYC at the Hiro Ballroom in Chelsea. Place was a trip- all Japanese Lanterns and lights...above the stage was an animitronic dragon complete with glowing red eyes and blowing huge puffs of smoke (much to Mr. Ruffin's amusement)..1st set was a typical Kermit Ruffins set- with some great trumpet solos and alot of banter with the audience. 2nd set was a tribute to Louis Armstrong's recent 110th birthday so Kermit changed out of his all white suit and returned to the stage in a formal black tuxedo. Band was great -featured female vocalist sounded good- but it was Mr. Ruffins' singing and trumpet playing that carried the show. A nice opportunity to see him up close and in person here in the East . All aboard!...
See the Preservation Hall Jazz Band along w/ Del McCoury on the LateShow with David Letterman tonite @ 11:30 pm EST
..it must be Rebirth at the Maple Leaf.. if you are lucky enough to be in New Orleans on a Tuesday night hightail it Uptown to the Maple Leaf Bar...go early and eat at Jacques- Imo's which is right next door ...had the pleasure of seeing Rebirth in a Hoboken, NJ club not too long ago (see an earlier post) and could have sworn I was in the Maple Leaf in New Orleans..room was long, narrow, really hot and crowded- almost like being there. Keep an eye out - they have been on the East Coast more than once in the past couple of weeks- most recently playing an outdoor gig downtown near the SouthStreet Seaport in NYC..Damn- wish they were coming to Philly sometime soon..Go here for touring and show schedule. Also, their newest album is FANTASTIC- a return to "old school" brass band music..Check it out then BUY IT Here!
Red Beans and Rice...man..have not posted anything for some time..not for lack of items or content..just harder than I thought to do this everyday..anyway, to try and catch up going to do a "day of the week" post this week...so, today is Monday which in New Orleans means red beans and rice..if you are lucky enough to be in New Orleans on a Monday I highly recommend that you visit Matassa's Market in the Quarter (1001 Dauphine St) at lunchtime for their red beans and rice. Go all the way to the back where they have a deli counter. A large container will run you about $7 and includes a big 'ol piece of smoked sausage..delicious. If you can't get to Matassa's then hit any Popeye's for their fast food version which consistently gets named as a "people's choice" when polling about best red beans- go figure.. Here back home I can get a fix at Popeye's which strangely enough has a location in the Philadelphia Market East train station. I'm also big on making my own and have tried various recipies. I have gotten in the habit of mailing home a care package of dry goods from New Orleans any time I visit so I keep a pantry stocked with Camelia dry Red Beans and various other sauces, mixes I pick up at Rouse's market. Most recently I sent back cans of Blue Runner red beans which I used along with some locally bought pork tasso (Leidy's brand) and smoked sausage..Turned out really well- would highly recommend!...anyway, thats it for today..will be back again Tuesday for another post..gotta get back in the groove..
...it must be Kermit Ruffins at Vaughn's..altho if you weren't in New Orleans last Thursday you could have caught his show in NYC at the Hiro Ballroom in Chelsea. Place was a trip- all Japanese Lanterns and lights...above the stage was an animitronic dragon complete with glowing red eyes and blowing huge puffs of smoke (much to Mr. Ruffin's amusement)..1st set was a typical Kermit Ruffins set- with some great trumpet solos and alot of banter with the audience. 2nd set was a tribute to Louis Armstrong's recent 110th birthday so Kermit changed out of his all white suit and returned to the stage in a formal black tuxedo. Band was great -featured female vocalist sounded good- but it was Mr. Ruffins' singing and trumpet playing that carried the show. A nice opportunity to see him up close and in person here in the East . All aboard!...
