After three perfect days, it is really warm and a bit muggy. We get out to the Fairground around two, missing out on Anders Osborne at Acura and the Lost Bayou Ramblers at Fais Do-Do. Gumbo and I head for the Gospel tent, not for religion, for relief from the heat. Not crowded here. The tents are set up with mist sprays, so it's refreshing. But we are unimpressed with this group, Arthur Clayton & Purposely Annoited. Off to the Blues Tent; very crowded and hot for Henry Butler. Okay, we'll try the WWOZ Jazz Tent, where Ellis Marsalis, patriarch of talented Marsalis family, is about to start his set. We manage to not kill anyone climbing up the metal stands, although I think JG kind of crushed some lady's shoulder for balance. We stay for a few numbers; son Jason Marsalis is on vibes. A bit refreshed, we only step on a few unsuspecting souls on our way back down the metal seats. I show Gumbo Kiki Huston's jewelry, but he didn't find what he was searching for. Then we split up because....
They call me KID ROCK! Yes, I did, despite disgusted sighs from Gumbo, Jonathan & G-man, I thought I'd check him out. And I lived to tell about it. He was pretty good! You've got to admit a line like "I want to love you like I'm never going to see you again," is pretty funny on Mother's Day. Kid showed off his versatility by playing guitar, piano, drums and some scratching while taking a couple shot of Jim Beam. Huge crowd (mostly young, but not all). I leave for Gentilly to meet up with Gumbo and the Studs for the Radiators Farewell w/ Friends and later find that Trombone Shorty came out for a couple songs with Kid.
I catch the final couple songs from Michael Franti & Spearhead, a reggae-type band; very energetic. Very entertaining. There is quite a wait while they set up for the Radiators, but we see a couple kids in their 20s being handcuffed by police/security and carted off. What the hell could you possibly do, besides murder, to be arrested at a music fest? Oh well.
They call me KID ROCK! Yes, I did, despite disgusted sighs from Gumbo, Jonathan & G-man, I thought I'd check him out. And I lived to tell about it. He was pretty good! You've got to admit a line like "I want to love you like I'm never going to see you again," is pretty funny on Mother's Day. Kid showed off his versatility by playing guitar, piano, drums and some scratching while taking a couple shot of Jim Beam. Huge crowd (mostly young, but not all). I leave for Gentilly to meet up with Gumbo and the Studs for the Radiators Farewell w/ Friends and later find that Trombone Shorty came out for a couple songs with Kid.
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| photo: Times-Picayune |
Quint Davis gets all choked up introducing the band, saying that only three groups have had regular closing day status at Jazz Fest: Professor Longhair, the Neville Brothers and the Radiators. Saw them for the first time Uptown at Tipitina's in 1989 while visiting New Orleans and have been a big fan ever since. After a couple songs, they bring out fab fiddle player Michael Doucet, then three horns from Bonerama, Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes and Paul Barrere from Little Feat. Really cool set. Coaxed back by Quint Davis for one encore, I Like It Like That, the 1961 hit co-written by Chris Kenner and Allen Toussaint, then Jazz Fest 2011 is done!
Dinner at Tommy's Cuisine on Tchoupitoulas. A bemused Maitre 'D leads us through the crowded restaurant to a special room for the wonder foursome, no doubt because of Gumbo's reputation. Very good service, excellent food (very rich Pappiotte fish served in paper wrapping, sweetbreads, Duck! Tchoupitoulas, Crabmeat au Gratin, Shrimp Remoulade, Creme Brulee, chocolate pecan pie, some kind of fancy bread pudding) and a couple bottles of Barbera. Will return.
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