(Work in progress)...Insert the positive - Edge's podcast highlighting Gulf coast music

(Work in progress. I'll complete this post with videos of Edge's Gulf Coast music pics one day)

Tonight I've been flashing back to some of my great concert/music experiences in New Orleans, and I found myself listening again to the Edge's podcast of favorite musicians and music from the region. He put out a "celebrity podcast" in July 2010 in the midst of the oil spill disaster in the Gulf. It was a great reminder of the riches of region, and a wave of positive energy despite the devastation in the region.

Enjoy his list, and if you're interested in learning more about preserving the music culture of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, please visit Music Rising at www.musicrising.org.



Fats Domino, The Fat Man




Little Richard, Tutti Frutti




The Meters, Cissy Strut


..couldn't resist getting some live Meters from Jazz Fest



Professor Longhair, Big Chief
This video is incredible!!! Dr.John , Professor Longhair , Earl King , The Meters...



The Wild Tchoupitoulas, Hey Pocky A-Way




Snooks Eaglin, Helping Hands(A Thousand Miles Away From Home)

I didn't find a "Helping Hand" video, so here's Mr. Snooks at the awesome Mid City Lanes/Rock N'Bowl in New Orleans.

Now I understand this t-shirt that I took a picture of when I was there this past May. Mr. Snooks must have been someone extra special to see live.

From Jazz Fest After Hours - Rock 'N Bowl w/ Anders Osborne and Eric Lindell

Trombone Shorty, Backatown




Lee Dorsey, Working in a Coal Mine




Dr. John, Walk on Guilded Splinters



Edge mentions the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Rebirth Brass Band, and the New Birth Brass Band.

New Birth Brass Band, Project Love
No Project Love video available, but here's a listen.

Check out some live footage of the band at Sammy's in Houston ten days after the flooding in New Orleans.



Allen Toussaint, Yes We Can Can
I like this version of the song because Allen Toussaint is the main vocal. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the video of him singing it.




The Neville Brothers, Yellow Moon



Galactic, Speaks His Mind

The New Orleans music scene: A decade in review

Check out this positive article and the fact that the author doesn't use Katrina shorthand in describing the flooding in New Orleans. Thank you Geraldine Wykoff.

The New Orleans music scene: A decade in review Geraldine Wyckoff, Contributing Writer Posted: Monday, January 11, 2010 12:11 pm January 2010 marks not only the first month of a brand new year but the start of a new decade. Like everything else in life, the New Orleans music scene had its ups and downs since 2000 and was hard hit by Katrina and the resulting flood caused by the levee breaches. The last 10 years, however, boasted numerous positives for this city’s music and its purveyors as is reflected by the responses of some of New Orleans’ movers and shakers to the questions: “What do you consider a significant musical milestone of the last decade?” One answer that quickly came to mind was the return of native son Terence Blanchard to his hometown. The much-esteemed, Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer also eventually brought the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance along with him. His mere presence shone a spotlight on this city, reminding folks around the world that New Orleans is not only the birthplace of jazz but faithfully continues its legacy. A big plus for locals was the opportunity to hear the brilliant trumpeter perform more often. The street cultures of the Mardi Gras Indians and social aid and pleasure clubs certainly became more visible and gained greater respect and appreciation in the last 10 years. The Backstreet Cultural Museum, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2009, became the first institution to offer the public full displays of Black Indian suits and secondline outfits plus historic photos and videos of jazz funerals. People were also given accurate, comprehensive information on these cultures by those with deep roots in the heritage. The exposure provided by the museum, other cultural ventures and the news media helped create an atmosphere where police harassment of these organizations was no longer readily tolerated. So when Big Chief Allison “Tootie” Montana stood up at a City Council meeting on June 29, 2005 to speak on the issue of the police’s treatment of the Mardi Gras Indians and, at age 82, died while standing at the podium still fighting the fight, the citizens of New Orleans were ready to insist on change. And change happened. The Indians were treated with greater respect when in ensuing years they roamed the streets on St. Joseph’s nights. Police sirens stopped their constant screaming at the end of the the social aid and pleasure club’s anniversary parades. It’s not perfect out there on the streets, but the scene has come a long way. Here are a few other reflections from New Orleanians in the know about the last decade. Deacon John, guitarist, vocalist, bandleader. During the decade, Deacon John Moore received further, well-deserved recognition following the release his excellent Jump Street Blues CD and DVD and the documentary film “Going Back to New Orleans.” He finds it significant that in 2006 he became the first African American to be elected president of the New Orleans Musicians Union #174-496. He believes it signifies that the musicians have gone past race in electing a Black to the highest position in the predominantly white union. “In the past, there’s always been a white president,” he notes. “I can’t say it was on race, but it appeared to be like that. It’s like the United States of America to think beyond race and elect President Obama,” Moore offers. “We changed the image of the union because people trust us now. We have the most diverse board of directors than any union in the United States of America,” Deacon adds, noting that the board now boasts people of a variety of races — Blacks, Caucasians, Asians — women, and those of all ages. Jason Paterson, talent booker, Snug Harbor. Patterson cites the Satchmo Club Strut, a Frenchmen Street event where folks stroll from club to club for one set fee, as a milestone of the decade. “It was a Frenchmen Street jazz music showcase in a jazz town,” Patterson declares of the Strut that kicked off the Satchmo Summerfest in August 2001. Presented by the New Orleans Jazz Centennial, the Strut made its debut presenting some of this city’s finest jazz artists including pianist Ellis Marsalis, Astral Project, saxophonist Donald Harrison, trumpeter Christian Scott, Troy “Trombone” Shorty and more at various venues. The New Orleans Nightcrawlers began the popular tradition of brass bands performing on the street during the event. “It kind of pulled Frenchmen Street together and solidified it in the legacy of New Orleans jazz history,” Patterson declares. The party continued through the decade, expanding its scope to bring in some national artists like saxophonist Joshua Redman. Irma Thomas, vocalist. Of course, personally, Thomas’ triumph of the decade was receiving her first Grammy – for her 2006 album After the Rain – after being in the music business for over four decades. The Soul Queen of New Orleans was also inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame. Concerned she might be misunderstood, the always positive Thomas chooses her words carefully when she offers that Katrina was a mixed blessing for the city’s music. “It opened up the eyes of those in power as to what this city needs to better itself,” she says. “They realized how important music is to the economy – they didn’t realize that until they thought it was gone.” Thomas also believes that as a result of the storm, musicians have become more unified. “The community as a whole has come together. It peeled away petty jealousies. Kermit Ruffins, trumpeter, vocalist. Naturally, this year’s Saints season was on Ruffins’ lips when asked about a milestone of the decade. He then related how he and much of the city celebrated the “big, big history” of Barack Obama winning the presidential election. “We celebrated like only we can do in New Orleans,” says Ruffins of that night when he and the Barbeque Swingers rocked St. Bernard Avenue and the Rebirth Brass Band welcomed the news. Ruffins also remembered the loss of Michael Jackson and the secondline that celebrated his life. He clearly recalls playing Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” with the Lawless High School band and the accompanying dance routine. This article was originally published in the January 11, 2010 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper

Celebrity iPod Auction Benefits Music Rising

There's a Tonic auction happening right now through the summer to benefit Gulf Coast musicians through Music Rising. Over 57 celebrities, including Bill Clinton, Scarlett Johansson, Edge, Bono, and Sean Penn, to name a few, autographed iPods loaded with their favorite tunes to go up for auction. Right now Bill Clinton's is up with a high bid of over $1126! The auction proceeds help Music Rising continue their good work and outreach in the Gulf Region.

If you're wondering, yes, support is still needed for the recovery and strengthening of musicians, and music programs in churches and schools. I've met some who've been assisted and they say that they wouldn't be around if it weren't for programs like Music Rising. They're so, so appreciative.

Thanks for spreading the word.
Irene



Check out Tonic and auction info.

Calendar of auctions.




The Music Rising Team's blog about the event.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Celebrity iPod Auction Benefits Music Rising

Tonic Introduces Celebrity iPod Auction Series
to Benefit Music Rising

Tonic to Auction off 60+ Autographed iPods from A-List Celebrities from Music, Television, Film and Fashion

New York, N.Y. (February 12, 2009) Tonic, (www.tonic.com) the leading media and ecommerce site focused on effortless activism and social good, announced today the launch of an exciting and extraordinary auction series. Leading celebrities from the worlds of music, film, television, and fashion have contributed an autographed iPod loaded with their personal playlist to be auctioned off by Tonic, with all proceeds benefiting Music Rising, an campaign founded in 2005 to replace lost or destroyed instruments of musicians in the Gulf Coast Region after the hurricane disasters. re of the

Over sixty celebrities will participate in the auction series including U2’s the Edge, former President Bill Clinton, Donna Karan, Warren Buffett, Christy Turlington, Britney Spears, Michael Stipe, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, Ben Affleck, Ellen DeGeneres, Estelle, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Scarlett Johansson, Pete Wentz, Randy Jackson, Kevin Bacon, Gisele Bundchen, Marc Jacobs, Ed Burns, Samantha Ronson, Nick Lachey, Petra Nemcova, Mandy Moore and many others.

Each celebrity was given a new iPod which they each autographed and Tonic pre-loaded with a playlist of ten to twenty of the celebrities’ favorite songs. Beginning February 12th between one and five separate iPod auctions will simultaneously launch every week on eBay; playlists will be revealed to the public on both tonic.com and eBay when auctions are launched. To learn more about the series, see the complete list of celebrities and auction calendar, or bid on a current auction, visit www.tonic.com.

“Everyone who has ever wondered what songs their favorite celebrities listen to in their home or on the road won’t have to wonder much longer,” said Pankaj Shah, CEO and Founder of tonic. “We’ve compiled pre-loaded, autographed iPods from countless iconic celebrities to share with the public. By bidding on an autographed iPod, you’ll be helping to aid in the continued rebirth of the Gulf Coast Region. The Celebrity iPod Auction Series is tonic’s first major campaign of 2009 to offer consumers an opportunity to create social good and we’re thrilled to rally people behind a great cause.”

About Tonic:
Tonic is the leading media, ecommerce, and community site focused on effortless activism and social good, making it easy for people to do good things every day. Founded by entrepreneur Pankaj Shah, Tonic is supported by a diverse and impressive Board of Creators including Island Records founder and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chris Blackwell, son of legendary investor and businessman Warren Buffett and musician Peter Buffett, fashion designer and philanthropist Donna Karan, music industry executive Phil Quartararo, Efficient Frontier Chairwoman Ellen Siminoff and Whitney Williams, Founder & President of Williamsworks.

About Music Rising:
Music Rising, is a campaign launched in 2005 to replace musical instruments lost or destroyed by hurricanes in the Gulf Region. It has since launched a second phase dedicated to the aid of schools and churches. Music Rising was formed by U2’s the Edge, legendary producer Bob Ezrin, Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. Partners of the campaign represent the most diverse partnership in the entertainment industry and include MusiCares, Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend, Live Nation, Kennedy/Marshall, Ticketmaster, Hard Rock International, VH-1, MTV, Real Networks, ABC News Now, The NFL, Rolling Stone, Mr. Hollands Opus, Juliens Auctions, ACT and the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. Music Rising is the recipient of the prestigious 2005 HALO Award for Cause, the 2006 Billboard Humanitarian Award and the 2008 PRISM Award and has been recognized around the world by various media organizations. Music Rising is administered by the Gibson Foundation. For more information go to www.musicrising.org and www.gibsonfoundation.org

Music Rising's Icons of Music Auction II

It was a very successful night for Music Rising's second annual Icons auction. As the rock n' roll memorabilia went up for bidding, the big dollars kept coming in. I was overwhelmed not only by the amounts of money, but more so by the generosity and interest of many involved. NOLA believers help keep the music pulse alive.

$2,367,143.75!!!
Check out the auction results.