It’s two weeks after Mardi Gras; you should be recovered by now. Here’s a look at where you’ll be this weekend including a live recording, some scary music, an in-store performance by one of the city’s prodigals and a horn-heavy brass showdown.
Depending on your energy level and musical predictions, I have two recommendations for tonight. The intrepid can do both. Meschiya Lake and Tom McDermott are recording their first album at Chickie Wah Wah. Lake, who is most often seen fronting the Little Big Horns, hooked up with McDermott, who is a versatile pianist around town, last year and the partnership has proved fruitful enough to warrant documentation on wax. The show starts at 8 PM.
Later in the evening, musical maniac Skerik fronts the Dead Kenny Gs at D.B.A. Even if you are unfamiliar with the saxophone heroics of the leader, the name of the group tells you all you need to know about this decidedly out there band. The set starts around 11 PM.
Saturday afternoon, the Louisiana Music Factory continues their 20th anniversary celebration with performances by the Navy Band of New Orleans (who knew they have a new record out?) and everybody’s favorite viper, performance poet and raconteur John Sinclair (pictured below, back in the day). Since I am doing some early promotion for my upcoming book, Up Front and Center: New Orleans Music at the 20th Century, here’s another excerpt:
“By the mid-1990s, the daytime activities during the “daze-in-between” (Jazz Fest week) and the night shows at various clubs proved to be some of the best music being played in the city. The Louisiana Music Factory moved beyond their usual staple of brass and blues musicians to present some truly scintillating sets.
On Monday, April 25, 1994, John Sinclair appeared on the tiny stage performing his poetry with the drummer Johnny Vidacovich backing him. Sinclair put on a totally insane, over the top show early in the afternoon. It looked like his whole head was on fire and smoke was about to come out of his ears as he screamed over and over at the climax of one of his poems, “Bud Powell, Bud Powell!” Vidacovich provided powerful punctuation on his drums.”
Saturday night, head over to Tipitina’s for Bonerama and Yojimbo. Bonerama has been spreading the gospel of a three-trombone front line across the country these last few months. But they are back in town for the month of March, so catch ‘em when you can. See you there!
