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KILLS me to be missing JF this year altogether but just no way I could make it work!
The worst for me is missing S&G and Van Morrison....don't know if/when I'll get to make those up again!
Otherwise I have either seen most of the others or know I will get to.
And I must say....have tix to see Aretha at the Ryman on April 25th goes a LOOOONG way towards making up for missing JF this year! Given the choice between seeing her at JF or the Ryman....I think I made the right choice!
Don't feel badly, Bama...every Van Morrison set I've seen at Fest has been somewhat of a letdown. It's feels almost as if it's a perfunctory performance and he resents being there.
And I'm really saddened to hear you won't be there at all. Booooooooooooooooooooooooo!
On a more positive note, thought some of you might find this handy. It's a one-page, printable guide to all the fantastic food at the Fairgrounds. After all, we know that's why we make the trek.
edit: nola, I scored tix to that MMJ/Pres Hall show at Pres Hall...one of only 100 tickets! D I was so excited that I gave myself a stomach ache. Proceeds to to PH's Outreach Program.
I got a heads up on PT, apparently the minute they went on sale. I guess that's sheer luck!
To those of you heading to NOLA (I leave next Wednesday), I think I have your #s. If not, send me an e-mail at leperilloux at aol dot com as I'm not frequenting this board as much as I once was
I plan on going to my first Jazz Fest for the second week - April 29th through May 2nd Last time I was in NOLA was back in the mid '90s. Juiced about going back.
Not sure if this has been posted. You can make your own personal schedule here. Good video links too. www.nola.com/schedule/
Oh. And Tipitana's is offering Video feed of the performances there.
Fri 4/23 Zigaboo's Funk Revue (9 pm CT) Galactic (2 am CT) Sat 4/24 Patti Smith (9 pm CT) Lotus (2 am CT)
Sun 4/25 Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Jon Cleary: Piano, Bass & Drums (10 pm CT)
Mon 4/26 "Instruments A Comin' 2010 Benefit Concert" (5 pm CT) Galactic and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave and Big Sam's Funky Nation and Rebirth Brass Band and Soul Rebels Brass Band and BIGI Featuring Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, George Porter, Jr., and Russell Batiste and Anders Osborne and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and 'Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. and Nigel Hall With Eric Kasno & Adam Deitch and Donald Harrison & The T.I.P. Interns and Battle of The Bands With St. Augustine Marching 100, Roots of Music, O. Perry Walker, & McDonogh 35 and more!
Wed 4/28 Railroad Earth (10 pm CT)
Thur 4/29 North Mississippi Allstars plus City Champs (9 pm CT) Karl Denson's Tiny Universe (2 AM CT]
Simon & Garfunkel last night. What can I say? It was both beautiful and painful. Art had laryngitis and his voice was shot to hell. He did the best he could rather than cancel. Simon asked him at one point if he could go on. The crowd was very respectful and appreciative. The New Orleans Picayune was also kind.
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" made me cry, for more reasons than one
I skipped out on Simon & Garfunkel. Got a GREAT spot for MMJ and it was so worth it. Absolutely awesome show. They came out with a little New Orleans celebration at the end. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band came out and they did a cover of Ernie K-Doe's "Mother in Law", then after that Al "Carnival Time" Johnson came out and they did a cover of his song "It's Carnival Time". It was wonderful.
I hit up Lotus later that night, and that was sick. Straight fire from the get-go.
I also went to Les Claypool on the RIverboat last night, and Les once again affirmed that he is in fact, The Man. He is untouchable when it comes to the bass.........
So I will be arriving in NOLA on the 28th. At first I thought of skipping Thursday at Jazz Fest but then I thought it would be the best day for shortest lines at the food booths. Like to hear what is everyones favorite/do not miss food venders at the fest.
Most of the acts on the smaller stages/tents are new to me. Any suggestions for the lesser known arts?
A Thieve's Parade 2/24 Conspirator 2/26 Kevin Smith 3/11 Keller 3/17 Papadosio 3/18 JJ Grey 3/25 Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer 3/26 Toubab Krewe 3/27 O'Death 4/11 Budos Band 4/22 EOTO 4/28 Summer Camp 5/6-29 All Good
Jazz Fest was AMAZING! I wasn't expecting it, but it had a very Bonnaroo-like atmosphere, more so than your typical city-fest. Everybody was extremely friendly, and the area on the way in and out of the festival gates was filled with people playing music, either with their instruments or blasting their stereos, and drinking beer on the streets. We passed one beautiful queen anne style house that had a band playing on the upstairs balcony on the way out Saturday evening.
The jazz, blues and gospel tents were really nice, though I wish there were a standing-room only section in them. I love how just about every little stage at the festival has a screen.
As I wrote elsewhere, Jeff Beck blew everyone away. What a show! Just about everything I saw was good though. Wayne Shorter and his band were tremendous, and his fiery drummer Brian Blade really captivated the crowd. His ability to add emphasis to the horn and piano lines is really unparalleled. The sound was a little lacking, though, could barely hear Patitucci.
Van Morrison played a great set, and his band was phenomenal. I've heard he is pretty inconsistent live, and that he had mailed in a past jazzfest performance, but he really killed it yesterday. Domino in particular was a major highlight; and his version of St. James Infirmary was flawless.
Sonny Landreth was also very impressive, and Ernie and the Top Notes got the Blues tent going early in day yesterday. The only band that didn't really do much for me was Band of Horses. They didn't have much added energy live. They were okay, and the crowd seemed to like them, but it was hard to get into the, especially surrounded by all the other amazing shows we saw.
We also caught a couple of night shows, both at One Eyed Jacks. Garage a Trois brought it in a big way. Their stuff is always a little weird on record, but they are just amazing live. Mike Dillon was like a crazy man up there, switching from tabla to vibes to all sorts of other percussion, often within a single song. They were pretty humorous as well. Stanton Moore is such a driving force, and I love him so much more when he's not playing with Galactic. I hope he leads the Superjam at Roo this year again,
We also caught the 2am funk dance party that was Dr. Klaw, which is like Soulive meets Dumpstaphunk. Nick Daniels, the bassist from Dumpstaphunk, is a great player with a beautiful, versatile voice. And Eric Krazno is the second coming of Grant Green. One Eyed Jacks is a great venue, too. I'd love to see what it's like in there during a non-jazzfest show.
I'd love to hear everyone else's thoughts on the festival this year. What highlights did I miss?
Gov't Mule at the Mahalia Jackson was the bomb-diggity. Over 3 hours and a double encore. Opened the 2nd set with "When the Music's Over"....so, so good. Warren is a madman. We had backstage passes for the show, but forgot my camera at home. All I have is cell phone pics......booo
Martin Sexton and Blues Traveler and Gov't Mule were great on Thursday. Eric Lindell was my favorite on Friday. Any one see Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi? That is one show I wish I had gone to. On Saturday The Johnson Extension in the Gospel Tent were amazing and seeing Jeff Beck close the day blew my mind. Top three on Sunday were Ellis Marsalis, Van Morrison and (85 year old) BB King.
I loved, loved, loved Jazzfest! My first one. I stayed in the Garden District and rode my bike each morning to the Fairgrounds. Almost everything I ate was great. I did not eat breakfast in the morning so I came hungry. I noticed Jazzfest has a bigger mixture of attendees compared to Bonnaroo. I found Jazzfest goers more well behaved. Locals were very friendly too. Had a great time.
Also on late Thursday evening in the French Quarter I see a car pull up and Warren Hayes and his wife I believe get out. Chat with him for a few minutes before they duck into a restaurant. He is from Asheville,NC where I live.
Some of my pics. First one is me making another stop at the food booths.
Given the choice between seeing her at JF or the Ryman....I think I made the right choice! 
