red lights


basement tapes	concert reviews	cd reviews	interviews	ticket swap	music news

New Orleans celebrates with music

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - DAY 6
Fair Grounds Race Course
New Orleans, LA
April 26 - May 5, 2013

Jazzfest - DAY 1 Jazzfest - DAY 2 Jazzfest - DAY 3
Jazzfest - DAY 4 Jazzfest - DAY 5 Jazzfest - DAY 7

Phoenix

Fleetwood Mac

Frank Ocean

Review and photos by Mary Andrews

I'll start with Fleetwood Mac since they were the biggest act of the day. My gripe was there was a constant vacillation from the road staff regarding photography. There was going to be no press, only point and shoot cameras in the crowd. Then no cameras at all, only cell phones were allowed. Then, it was a few press photographers could shoot from the soundboard and the crowd could still use point and shoots. It was confusing to say the least. My apologies for the paucity of photos and the poor quality as well.

Mick Fleetwood hit the stage with all the fire and outrageousness he could muster. The other members quietly took their positions. Lindsey Buckingham showed his guitar chops from the get-go and they were outstanding!! Stevie Nicks, to my disappointment, lacked the luster that the other band members displayed. She did not show the energy. She did not smile. She was not having fun. This is the 5th time I've seen them perform over the years and they always seemed to have a good time before now. The good thing about Jazz fest is you can go see someone else.

My next highly anticipated set was Stanley Clarke and George Duke Project. I found heaven this time. The music went back to their old collaborative days 30 years ago and it was flawless. Clarke played both electric and acoustic bass. They could still read each others' nuances as if they have been married all this time. One can only hope they continue this with a full tour. It was quite tasty!

Next, I was off to the blues tent for some Los Lobos. The tent was packed and the band was raring to go and go they did! Our boys from Chicago were joined by pedal steel man, Roosevelt Collier. It became a contest of dueling guitars to the delight of the crowd! They returned to the stage at the end to do, 'Not Fade Away" and 'Bertha."

Next I scurried off to the Congo Stage to catch some Frank Ocean. The crowd was filled with teenaged girls who knew the album Orange by heart. And young Frank sang to them like they were in a dark, intimate club instead of a huge field in the daylight. This was not a well-rehearsed, choreographed show. He was quiet and for what its worth, the crowd loved it!

Finally, I managed to get to the Gentilly stage for some Phoenix. As I walked up, the lead singer, Thomas Mars, jumped off the stage, went through the pit and headed for the crowd. It was his version of crowd surfing. There he was held up by security while he sang for 10 minutes. It was a moment that totally delighted the crowd. It was obvious that their live show is much more exciting than their recordings.

Earlier today, I was entertained by Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. His rollicking sets is Zydeco at its best. His dances include multiple splits on the stage! Ouch!!

Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth did his usual pep rally in front of 60,000 people and did it well. His mantra of "I Can't Hear You!" among others got the crowd ready for Fleetwood Mac.

Finally, a new country band, Little Big Town opened for Fleetwood Mac. The band was new to me, but there harmonies were fetching. They were thrilled to be playing Jazz Fest and this has been a remarkable year for them. They sang "Pontoon," "Boondocks" and "Your Side of the Bed" among other songs.