Peter M in (well, at) Paradise with Dr. John...

Peter M w/ Terrie & the Viper at Jazz Fest

(Peter M special report to johnnykmusic):
Sally W called last week with news that her son-in-law and New Orleans sax guy Derek Huston had hooked up with Dr John for a US and European tour and would be at the Paradise Wednesday night. Hoping for comps, but just in case got tix on Monday. Wednesday evening Commonwealth Avenue is a broad thoroughfare of BU buildings, shops, bars, restaurants and retailers with the trolley running down the middle. But we spot a meter and we're off. The sign on the door says sold out, and there's a short line. The door guys decide we're old enough to drink and direct us to the ticket office for the hoped-for comps. We have three, but Sally's youngest and her boyfriend are driving down from NH, so I need to use one of my two tickets. Still doing good.

Inside, Jon Cleary is on stage banging away like a madman. We go upstairs, find what looks like the VIP area and slide in. Cleary is doing a great job, a one-man demolition crew on keyboards. Did we see him at Jazz Fest? With Bonnie Raitt?

Cleary wraps up, pretty much on time, about 9:00. As they are setting up for Dr John, a big bouncer type, 300 pounds and a shaved head, comes to chase us out of the VIP area....great spot, perfect view, right next to the sound guy. But Sally does a great job chatting him up, and he says he'll check it out. Five minutes later he's back, you guys are good. See, treat people nicely and they'll help you out. (And I take a quick walk outside and sell my remaining ticket to a good-looking blond.)

Dr John comes out with his signature cane and hat......does Mac Rebennack use a cane, or is it just Dr John? and the Lower 911 Band gets right down to business. Dr John on piano and assorted keyboards, Jon Cleary more keyboards and anything he can lay his hands on, lead guitar, bass guitar. A girl trombone player...great opportunity for showing off, and she makes the most of it ... and Derek on that monster sax. Derek is not a big guy, no Clarence Clemons, so he's working hard pushing that sax around.

I have not heard Dr John's new album, so don't know how much of it they played. What we did hear seemed to me like vintage New Orleans sound, driving, powerful, full of dark humor and totally entertaining. Great show. They played for what felt like close to two hours, capped off with a one-song encore. No bullshit, very business-like, terrific.

The big tour bus idling outside on a beautiful clear cool summer evening on a now pretty quiet Comm Ave. (Sox must be over...if I had a smart phone I could have known right away that Beckett throws a five-hitter and loses and the Sox are still America's favorite .500 team.) Derek holds forth with a crowd of local friends and family, but Sally and I head for the burbs. An excellent night.