It seems like ages; though, actually it was roughly two weeks ago that I saw The Wood Brothers perform at The Parish. Since then, a lot has happened – namely the Saints making it to the Super Bowl and glorious citywide celebration that has ensued. But there was much celebration taking place that night in The Parish as well. The French Quarter was abuzz following the Saints’ defeat of Arizona Cardinals. When I walked into venue, the eerie yet intimate room was bustling and alive. Good cheer flowed, and the crowd filled in. By the time I got settled, the group of chairs which were placed in front of the stage (something I’d never seen before at The Parish), had already been taken. Excited, I huddled in as close as I possibly could. This would be the first time I caught The Wood Brothers in well over three years. It was also the folk duo’s first trip to the Crescent City since forming in 2005. At the end of the night, it turned out to be one of the largest crowds I’d ever been a part of in The Parish.

So now that the Saints are done wailing away on the Cardinals, it’s time to celebrate! I don’t typically blog about a show I’m going to beforehand, but I feel it’s well warranted in this case. Tonight I’ll be heading to The Parish at the House of Blues to see folk duo The Wood Brothers. Formed in 2005 the band is comprised of brothers Chris (bass) and Oliver Wood (guitar). Though The Wood Brothers haven’t been around for a while, both brothers have a long history as professional musicians… Chris with avant groove jazzmasters Medeski, Martin, and Wood and Oliver with rootsy, blues rockers King Johnson. An early fan of The Wood Brothers, I first saw them perform at Bonnaroo 2006 (but haven’t seen them since), and their debut album Ways Not To Lose along with the standout track “Luckiest Man” are easily among my favorites of the decade. Recently they released a spirited covers album entitled Up Above My Head. Here are a few live cuts from it (Allen Toussaint’s “Get Out My Life Woman and the Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider) as well as a live version of “Luckiest Man” from the 2006 Newport Folk Festival. Enjoy – see you out there!

MP3: The Wood Brothers – Get Out My Life Woman
MP3: The Wood Brothers – Midnight Rider
MP3: The Wood Brothers – Luckiest Man Newport Folk Festival 2006
Amazon Music: The Wood Brothers

Though I didn’t make it out much this summer – principally due to the hacking incident – I was able to catch a few shows, one of which took place at The Parish and involved two of my favorite up-and-coming artists, one, local rootsman Andrew Duhon and the other, alt-country songstress Jessica Lea Mayfield. Duhon, a mid-twenties stinger-songwriter, colors his rambling, rolling acoustic melodies with a rugged, earthy rasp tempered with a touch of southern soul. Often, he can be seen sitting alongside Ernie Vincent, accompanying the urban blues master’s stiff, six-string strut with a sizzling harmonica. Mayfield, whose last show in the Big Easy was also covered on Groovescapes, is one of the sharpest and most bewitching young songwriters in the country. Painful and delicate yet haunting and fierce, her agonized cries and tortured tales reach far deeper than the lighthearted musings of her contemporaries.

Finally, this is it! I never thought I’d get to this post – my last foray into the Jazzfest late night scene. Coming off of an all-night bender and a monster day at the Fest on May 2nd, I headed to the The Parish at the House of Blues to hear Zachary Richard, one my favorite Louisiana artists and undoubtedly one of its most prolific. Throughout his career, Richard, one of the few remaining modern troubadours, has held tightly to his roots and dedicated himself to the preservation of Cajun culture. As a poet, author, songwriter, musician and activist – especially within the Francophone world – Richard’s work has garnered the highest merits. For me, his songwriting is second to none – as earnest, fervid, vehement and poignant as anyone. Because he splits his time between Louisiana and Montreal, I consider his shows to be a rare treat, and even though I’d caught his set earlier at Jazzfest, I knew that this setting would make for a more intimate, inviting and energizing experience.

“Here’s to Snooks,” saluted renowned British balladeer Richard Thompson as he led off his second encore of the night with “Dimming of the Day” – a song often covered by New Orleans icons, the Neville Brothers.  Moments earlier Thompson told of how a Snooks Eaglin EP he received as a teenager in the early Sixties inspired his signature finger-picking style.  While the loss of Snooks has taken a great toll on the community here in New Orleans, hearing Thompson, whom many consider one of the greatest musicians to ever pick up a guitar, describe the impact Snooks had on his maturation speaks volumes for the loss suffered by the music community.  On March 15th, Thompson, who has been no stranger to the Crescent City throughout the years, delivered an intimate and enchanting solo acoustic performance at The Parish.

It's that time again... time for the monthly photoblog.  February was a phenomenal month for music in New Orleans.  And it'll only get better as the festival season approaches.  Featured in this post are: the Derek Trucks Band, Erik Mongrain, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, James "12" Andrews, Revert "Peanut" Andrews, Glen Andrews, Glen David Andrews, Theresa Andersson, MyNameIsJohnMichael, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Billy Iuso, Rob Wagner, Simon Lott, Jesse Morrow, the Annuals, Jessica Lea Mayfield, What Laura Says, Susan Tedeschi, James Hunter, Derek Huston, Flow Tribe, The Revivalists, Hightide Blues, and Funk.Soul.Family.

When it comes to bands on the rise, New Orleans is an excellent place to catch new acts on the brink of breaking through.  The abundance of small venues and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere makes it a great place for them to cut their teeth.  One my favorite up-and-coming acts of the last year has been Kent Ohio songstress Jessica Lea Mayfield.  I first discovered Mayfield a few months back when she opened for fellow Ohio rockers The Black Keys.  There was just something in her plain, rusty twang and heart-wrenching lyrics that struck me.  On Tuesday, February 10th I went out to The Parish – the sister venue to the (larger) House of Blues – to see Jessica along with fellow indie acts What Laura Says and the Annuals (whom most would say have already surpassed the ranks of the up-and-coming).