But, not to worry, by the time we get to Lucy's Retired Surfer's Bar, the sun is out and everything is good. From our cubes perusal, we come up with the following game plan:
1:50-2:50pm The Dirty Dozen Brass Band at Congo Square "My Louisiana" Stage
2:15-3:05pm The Dixie Cups & their Cayenne Pepper Band at Acura Stage
2:15-3:20pm Ruthie Foster at Southern Comfort Blues Tent
3:35-4:45pm the subdudes at Acura Stage
3:45-5:00pm Marcia Ball at Gentilly Stage
3:45-5:00pm Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea at WWOZ Jazz Tent
5:30-7:00pm Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band at Acura Stage
5:30-6:55pm Kenny Wayne Shepherd at Southern Comfort Blues Tent
5:35-7:00pm Diana Krall at Gentilly Stage
A little on the later side today, but we are out at the Fairgrounds around 1:30pm and, because of our decision to buy all our tickets yesterday (which did not look like a good one a few hours ago), we waste no time in line. A good thing too, it's going to be very crowded today. Ruthie Foster at 2:15 in the Blues Tent is the pick of the day, so we walk past the grandstand, past the Gospel Tent. But, no, we can't pass without sampling the St. Joseph the Worker Music Ministry! The joint is rocking! We are able to stay for one number before feeling the urgency to get a spot for Ruthie. The Pool Hall Studs peel off to get some food, so Gumbo and I walk around to the far right side of the tent to position ourselves in the same spot as we did Friday for Jumpin' Johnny. TWO EMPTY SEATS! We take them. The Southern Comfort Blues Tent gets filled up fast. Ruthie strolls out onto the stage with her all-female band, straps on a guitar, offers a warm welcome and proceeds to kick our asses for the next hour. Soul, blues, gospel, reggae, all mixed together in a wonderful performance that has the whole tent on its feet. She does a sweet version of Lucinda (she calls her friend, Cindi) Williams' Fruits of My Labor. John Butler, you've got Ruthie so very, very close behind you. What a start to Saturday!
While the PHS catch the subdudes, Gumbo and I make our way down to hear some of Marcia Ball's set, catching some zydeco along the way. The last set of the day will be crazy at Acura for Jimmy Buffett. Mark says I must see some of Kenny Wayne Shepard and we all want to see Diana Krall. While we stand with 50,000 of our closest friends waiting for Jimmy Buffett, we hear an announcement that Churchill Downs, which also owns the Fairgrounds, will be transmitting the Kentucky Derby race over the large screens near the stage. Pretty cool. Buffett is in great form, everyone singing along, fins going to the left and to the right everywhere! But we've got work to do. Mark says Kenny Wayne Shepard is a must see, so we say ciao to the parrotheads to find the SoCo Blues Tent. Mr. Shepard doesn't disappoint. Not a singer, in the Carlos Santana tradition, he blisters through his solos, getting hoots from the packed crowd at completion. Good choice.
Now we're off to catch the final half-hour of Diana Krall at Gentilly, not an easy hike at this point, but mission accomplished in good time. Diana is finishing up a number as we arrive to the left of the stage, in the same general area where I saw the John Butler Trio and John Prine yesterday. She looks and sounds great. Another number has us hooked, but she suddenly gets up and waves goodby. WTF! She's lured back to do a brief encore, then an indifferent exit. Very strange, and VERY disappointing. Anyway, it's off to Brook's Seahorse Saloon just outside the Gentilly Blvd exit to await our cab ride back while tasting an Abita Amber.
Another good day of music despite Ms. Krall (I must tell Elvis of her behavior).
USA Today report
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