While members of Dark Star Orchestra sharing the stage with the surviving members of the Grateful Dead is not a new phenomenon – Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux-Mackay, and the late Vince Welnick have all sat in on DSO shows – the practice took an unexpected twist this past fall when John Kadlecik, lead guitarist and founding member of Dark Star, announced he was leaving the band to join Furthur, the latest Weir/Phil Lesh collaboration.

Just as they did after the tragic loss of original keyboardist Scott Larned, who passed away after heart attack in 2005, the remaining members of the Dark Star Orchestra refused to let an unexpected personnel change slow down their mission to faithfully capture the magic of the Grateful Dead’s live performances.  Jeff Mattson, most recently of The Donna Jean Godchaux Band, has been playing with Dark Star Orchestra since Kadlecik’s departure in November and joined them onstage at the House of Blues on Wednesday night as they recreated Grateful Dead’s May 7, 1978 slugfest.

To say that festival season has snuck up on us would be quite the understatement. With the inaugural Foburg Festival just a week away, and the annual mecca, SXSW coming right on it’s heels, I can imagine no better way to kick things off than with Lafayette, Louisiana’s own indie-palooza, Geronimo Fest. On Saturday, March 6th, 35 bands will be rockin’ various clubs across the southwest Louisiana city. In just its second year, this DIY rock showcase has really taken off! Advanced tickets can be either purchased Here for $12 or at the fest for $15. The lineup, which looks pretty stout, is posted on below. Also, for a sample of what you’ll be in store for… stream the MP3s below.

MP3: Rotary Downs – Sing Like the Sun
MP3: Glasgow – Stranger
MP3: Big Rock Candy Mountain – Rocket Ship
MP3: Caddywhompus – Absinthesizer
MP3: One Man Machine – Get My Sound
MP3: Sun Hotel – Life on a Boat

There’s always a place for hooligans in rock and roll… And, there’s always a place for hooligans in New Orleans. So it only makes sense that the mischief making ruffians in the Dirty Bourbon River Show would feel right at home in the Big Easy. Led by Noah Adams, this band of misfits and miscreants has been busy riling up crowds with their blend of vaudevillian rock, gypsy punk, and circus jazz. You may remember my review of the DBRS from a few months back… a little rough around the edges but a helluva of a good time were my general sentiments. Since then, they been busy cutting their teeth and recording their debut album, Volume One, which was officially released earlier this month at a roguish gathering at Tipitina’s. The excellent offering aptly captures the crazed, carnival atmosphere and foolhardy banter that have made them fast favorites on the New Orleans indie front, and in addition to the infectious and outlandish shenanigans, there are plenty of welcomed surprises. Here are just a few of my favorites…

MP3: Dirty Bourbon River Show – Anything Goes Tonight
MP3: Dirty Bourbon River Show – Ruffian Since Birth
Amazon Music: Dirty Bourbon River Show

Today, the Young Leadership Council announced the lineup for their annual spring concert series, Wednesday at the Square. The 12-week concert series will take place at Lafayette Square, each Wednesday from March 24th to June 9th. Looking over the lineup (which is posted directly to the left), I’ve got to say I’m pretty excited. Apart from the musical talent on display, Wednesday at the Square also features work from several of the Big Easy’s best artists and craftsmen. Of course, there will be plenty of fine cuisine on hand… And did I mention it was FREE! Free, now you can’t beat that. Concerts run from about 5:30-7:30pm… you know, New Orleans time. For more information on the YLC and Wednesday at the Square visit www.youngleadershipcouncil.org and www.wednesdayatthesquare.com.

There’s more to the music that meets the ear… This is a creed that, perhaps, no other band lived up to quite like the Grateful Dead. While several Grateful Dead tribute bands have come and gone over the years, for the last 12 years the Dark Star Orchestra has carried on the legacy, the spirit, and the experience of their musical inspirations. Like The Dead, the experience lies at the core of the DSO. From the setlist, to the instrumentation, to the stage layout, with each concert, they pay homage to one of The Dead’s nearly 2,500 shows. Also similar to The Dead, freedom, improvisation, and exploration drives the DSO. Their concerts are not merely note-for-note reenactments of fabled Dead junkets; they are vehicles for interpretation. With well over 1600 shows under their belt, the DSO have not only built up an intensely devoted fanbase, they’re garnered critical praise from the likes of Rolling Stone and USA Today and received the accolades of The Grateful Dead’s surviving members, many of whom often sit in with the group. A long time festival favorite, the band’s already gearing up for this year's All Good Festival where they’ll be playing alongside the Phil Lesh and Bob Weir collaboration, Further. Tomorrow night, March 3rd, the DSO will be rolling into the House of Blues. Doors open at 7:00pm and the show starts at 8:00pm. To get you in the mood, peek the vid and MP3 stream of the DSO performing “The Music Never Stopped,” a track originally released on my favorite Dead album Blues For Allah.


MP3: Dark Star Orchestra – The Music Never Stopped
Amazon Music: Dark Star Orchestra

Happy 82nd birthday to Fats Domino, the Fat Man, today’s subject for the OG! A true rock-and-roll icon and national treasure, Antoine Dominique was born, raised, and continues to reside in the Crescent City. Dominique, who, like many of his peers, cut his teeth playing in dive bars around the Big Easy, got his big break on December 10, 1949 when fellow New Orleanian Dave Bartholomew, an arranger and talent scout for Lew Chudd's Imperial Records, recorded the track “The Fat Man” at Cosimo Matassa’s J&M studio on Rampart St. Chudd, who was immediately impressed with Domino’s chops, soon released the single (whose B-side was “Detroit City Blues”) locally. Within one week, the record has sold over 10,000 copies, and following a national release one month later, “The Fat Man” scored Domino his first national hit. It later went on to be the first record to sell over 1,000,000 copies… not bad for a debut effort.

As for the Fat Man, this was only the beginning of an extraordinary run which saw him record more hits in the Fifties than any other musician except for Elvis Presley, the King himself… not too shabby for an independent artist during a racially-segregated era. Though trivial, perhaps it would be fair to call Fats the “King of Indie Rock.” Moving along… some of Fat’s most memorable hits of the day included “Ain’t That a Shame,” “I’m Walking,” “Whole Lotta Loving,” and “I Want to Walk You Home.” Sadly, despite 40-plus Top-40 singles, Fats never claimed the number-one spot on the charts. His biggest hit, 1956’s “Blueberry Hill,” which sold more than five million copies that year, peaked at number-two. Much of Domino’s success can be attributed to the partnership he shared with Bartholomew. The pair co-wrote the majority of Domino’s tracks during Fats’ tenure with Imperial, which ended in 1963 when Fat’s signed with ABC-Paramount Records. “Walkin’ to New Orleans,” one of Fat’s most beloved songs as well as one of his most popular Imperial releases was co-written by the late Bobby Charles who passed away just last month. The Seventies saw Fats’ output wane significantly, and by the time the Eighties rolled around, Domino decided he would no longer leave the Crescent City, even refusing to play at the White House. In 1986, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened its doors, inducting Fats along with Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, and the Everly Brothers in its inaugural year. The Fat Man was a no show. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Fats as number-25 on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.” Domino made headlines in 2005 when, following Hurricane Katrina, someone painted “RIP Fats” on his home in the 9th Ward. It was later discovered that Domino, who had been reported as missing, had been rescued by the Coast Guard and was receiving medical attention in Baton Rouge. Though his performances are rare these days, in 2007 Domino performed at a benefit for the Tipitina’s Foundation, and again just last year at “The Domino Effect,” a benefit concert, which featured fellow rock-and-roll pioneers Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis and whose proceeds were dedicated to rebuilding schools and playgrounds in the New Orleans area.

The tracks I’ve got cued up today are from one of my favorite 45s. Recorded in July of 1956 during Fats’ heyday, the A-side “When My Dreamboat Comes Home” reached number-14 on the Top-40 charts and climbed all the way to number-two on the R&B charts. With a bustling saxophone, a steady-rocking backbeat, and robust piano anchoring Fat’s indelible call, this straight-ahead, doo-wop gem is pure Fifties gold. The B-side, “So Long,” is a vintage Domino-Bartholomew collaboration, complete with Fats’ signature triplet rhythms rattling in the background as the snare drum pops on the second and fourth beats. A rare treat, this song made it to number-five on the R&B charts. Just a few months later, Fats’ next single an up-tempo take on the 1940 composition “Blueberry Hill” would prove to be his crowning achievement.

MP3: Fats Domino – When My Dreamboat Comes Home
MP3: Fats Domino – So Long
Amazon MP3: Fats Domino

2010 is certainly flying by, and festival season is just around the corner. Last month Jazzfest unveiled their lineup, and just yesterday, the lineup for the 27th annual French Quarter Festival was announced. For those of you not familiar with French Quarter Fest, it’s arguably the Crescent City’s best music festival. It’s certainly the most NOLA-centric. All of the artists and vendors are from right here in the Big Easy. And the best part of it is that it’s FREE. You can’t beat free… especially when free includes a three-day, 150+ band community celebration held in the French Quarter. I have no idea how many people were in attendance last year, but I’d say that the crowds rivaled those at Jazzfest. I simply cannot say enough about how much I enjoy and am looking forward to FQF. If I were you, I’d go ahead and mark my calendar now for April 9th-11th. Here’s the lineup:

Friday
Big Sam's Funky Nation - Soul Rebels - 101 Runners - Honey Island Swamp Band - Connie Jones & the FQF All-Stars - Ingrid Lucia - ZydePunks - Shamarr Allen - The Revivalists - Mark Stone Band - Coco Robicheaux - Waylon Thibodeaux - Ensemble Fatien - Russell Batiste & Friends Featuring Jason Neville - Audacity Brass band - Billy Iuso & the Restless Natives - Dukes Of Dixieland - Glen David Andrews - Banu Gibson - Lionel Ferbos and the Louisiana Shakers - Margie Perez - Miss Sophie Lee - Lost Bayou Ramblers - Cullen Landry & Midnight Streetcar - Freddy Omar - Irene Sage - Derrick Freeman & Smokers World - Bone Tone - Original Hurricane Brass Band - J' Monque D Blues Band with Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians -TBC Brass Band - The Victory Belles - Ernie Vincent & the Top Notes - the Jimmy Thibodeaux Band - J. J. Caillier and the Zydeco Knockouts - Steve Pistorius and his Southern Syncopators - Tornado Brass Band - Liberty Hall Stompers - Dan Venhettes & The Hot Shots – AND MORE!

Saturday
Bonerama - Anders Osborne - Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers - Irvin Mayfield & NOJO All-stars - Little Freddie King Band - Rebirth Brass band - Christian Serpas & Ghost Town - The Tin Men - Ovi G & the Froggies –Otra - E.O.E. - Talented Music Students of McDonogh # 35 and Warren Easton H.S. - Storyville Stompers - Onward Brass Band - Kora Konnection - Young Fellas - Baby Boyz Brass Band - Tim Laughlin - Wiseguys -Wanda Rouzan - The Ronnie Kole Show - Charmaine Neville - The Nobles - Creole String Beans - Groove Sect - Los Po-Boy-Citos - Soul Project - Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band - Les Freres Michot - Cedric Watson - Donna Angelle and the Zydeco Posse - Sean Ardoin and R.O.G.K. - Heritage School of Music - Bamboola 2000 - Anais St John - The Cotton Mouth Kings - Amy Trail - Lynn Drury - Micah Mckee - Charlie Oxford - Andrew Duhon - John Michael Rouchell - Zazou City - Hot Club of New Orleans - Tony Green & Gypsy Jazz - Tom McDermott & his Jazz Hellions - Bruce O'Neil & the Hard Working Jazz Band - Lisa Lynn - Orange Kellin's New Orleans Deluxe Orchestra - Lars Edegran's New Orleans Jazz Band - Some Like it Hot - Rhodes Spedale & Jazz From Congo Square - The Fritzel's New Orleans Jazz Band - New Orleans Jazz Vipers - James Andrews - Loose Marbles - Dan Venhettes & The Hot Shots - Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band - Opera on Tap - Crescent Woodwind Quintet - Rachel Van Voorhees - John Rankin – Ayla Miller - Talented Music Students of New Orleans Public Schools - Young New Orleans Traditional Brass Band - Young Sounds of Houston - Red Hot Brass Band - Zohar Isreal Free Spirit Network

Sunday
The Radiators - Joe Krown Trio - Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue - The Bucktown All-Stars - Wild Magnolias - Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz – Rockin' Doopsie Jr - Sunpie - Friendly Travelers - Susan Cowsill & Friends - John Boutte & Paul Sanchez - Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys - Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes - Luke Winslow-King - U.S. Army Blues Swamp Romp - Society Brass Band - Treme Brass Band - I'voire Spectacle - New Orleans Nightcrawlers - Loose Marbles - Panorama Jazz Band - the Pfister Sisters - Leif Pedersen's 1944 Big Band - Jeremy Davenport - Washboard Chaz Blues Trio - "Big Al" Carson & the Blues Masters - Sasha Masakowski and Musical Playground - Ole Man River Band - Acoustic Swiftness - Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue - Astral Project - Jonno & Bayou Seville - PorcheVide Playboys - Chubby Carrier - Heritage School of Music - Davy Mooney - Cindy Scott - John Autin - Matt Lemmler Quartet - Dancing at Dusk with Rocky's Hot Fox Trot Orchestra - Dana Abbott - Ruby Rendrag - Karen Waldrup - Kristin Diable - Jim McCormick - Jimmy Robinson – Wazozo - Kid Simmons New Orleans Jazz Band - Clive Wilson's New Orleans Serenaders - Duke Heitger's New Orleans Wanderers - Evan Christopher's Clarinet Road - The Last Straws - The New Orleans Classic Jazz Orchestra - Leroy Jones and New Orleans Finest - The Tom Sancton New Orleans Quintet - Jane Harvey Brown - Linnzi Zaorski & Delta Royal - Rick Trolsen & the New Orleans Po Boys – Tornado Brass Band - New Orleans Moonshiners - Doc Houlind Jazz Band - Jumbo Shrimp Jazz Band - Songs of Paul Robeson Ensemble - The Frenchmen String Quartet – GNOYO - U.S. Army Brass Quintet