"The 19" Benefit Online

Tonite 's benefit show for the people who were victims of the Mother's Day secondline shooting is going to be streamed online at WWLTV.com. The show is at Tipitina's Uptown and features Donald Harrison Jr., Hot 8 Brass Band, Stooges Brass Band, Bonerama and more! Show starts 7:30PM CDT/8:30PM EDT.

NJ Crawfish Fest 2012

Boiled crawfish, Curley Taylor, Dr. John, Jon Cleary, Terrance Simien, Glen David Andrews and Bonerama..not a bad way to spend June afternoon in New Jersey.

NJ Crawfish Fest

That's me at 2009 Fest

This weekend there is a BIG New Orleans Louisiana event here on East Coast. Its the 23rd Annual Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest in Augusta, NJ. I've been twice before and had a good ol time- not Jazzfest but pretty close if you can't get to the real thing. There is a Main outdoor stage, a smaller Pavillion stage and then an indoor stage that features a hardwood dance floor and features Cajun and Zydeco bands and dancers. Food is just OK; boiled crawfish are real good but everything else I've had there is pretty mediocre in my opinion and cannot hold a candle to food at Fest. BUT, the music lineup is looking really good- especially on Saturday, June 2nd. Performers include Curley Taylor, Terrance Simien, Johnny Sketch, Bonerama and 2 of my NO favorites Glen David Andrews and Dr. John...Not too bad for New Jersey. Go HERE for the deets.

NO Online Music Alert: Bonerama at Tip's

"Bonerama at Tip's" sounds vaguely dirty but what it actually is is a chance to see one of New Orleans most unique bands live online tomorrow nite. Go to Tipitinas.com to listen- or better yet- watch live broadcast around 10pm EST. Enjoy !

Jazzfest from a Distance....

..let me be clear..nothing can replace actually being there..the sounds, the sights, the crowds and most of all the energy!...BUT if you can't be there you make do...listening to live broadcasts on Oz, getting live texts and pics from the Fairgrounds (Thanks Sis!) and watching recorded performances via Rollingstone.com was better than nothing at all. Oz always does a great job- love the fact that they are right at the Fairgrounds ..highlights for me were the Irvin Mayfield NOJO broadcast on last day..also enjoyed Ruthie Foster, Mahalia tribute and David Torkonowsky piano show..lots of what they broadcasted  I would not necessarily have gone to see if I was there in person but thats how  you hear different stuff and discover new bands and artists which should be purpose (IMHO) of the Fest anyway...Same goes for RollingStone broadcast..not a big Acura Stage fan...typically I stay away from big stages (my favorites are Fais Do Do and Jazz & Heritage stages along w/ Jazz,Blues and Economy Hall tents)..figure most folks on big stages I can see in Philly or NY at some point...like to seek out the local or more obscure artists that may not travel as much or are just emerging or even better, groups put together just for Fest..anyway, even given that, was impressed that RollingStone did 5 (!) hrs of coverage each day..broadcast and sound quality was very good (actually hooked up my  sons new laptop to my big screen flat panel tv) and they did a nice sampling of all the artists who plaayed Acura for the 2 days..My favorites were Better than Ezra w MG Indians , Bonerama and of course the Nevilles to close things out..keep wishing that some day they will figure out how to do a Pay per View thing or ideally let you tap into any stage at any time through out the Fest ( a guy can dream can't he?)..well thats all for now..actually writing this again from the skies- actually on my way to New Orleans for a quick visit...will write about reason for my visit in a later post..bye for now.