Unless there's a major unforeseen event -- we won't use words beginning with "a" -- this will be a politics-free day on WWW. The voters of Dixville Notch NH, who voted at midnight, have divided 3-3, and that's the last report you'll be after getting from our election desk.
By way of a musical interlude, then, we're pleased to share a full set by Tuba Skinny, the best New Orleans jazz (formerly Dixieland jazz, but we can't say that now) extant. This was recorded at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Center, on 25 June 2022. Enjoy.
What an incredible ensemble of extremely talented and skilled musicians! You'll find lots more of their music on YouTube. Support them in any way you can. And if you get in touch, tell `em Walt sent ya!
Ed. here. It's been years, literally, since we posted a music video, just for the joy of it. Walt thinks we should put up a few between now and November 5th, to give you, dear readers, an umbrella with which to shield yourselves from the shitstorm.
Today we're featuring Walt's Tuba Skinny, Walt's favourite New Orleans jazz band. (We can't say "Dixieland" any more!) Here they are on Royal Street, on 14 January 2019. The talented and versatile Shay Cohn leads the band, and Jonathan Doyle does a tasty tenor sax solo.
Many Canadians will remember this fine old tune, played as the closing theme on "Don Messer's Jubilee", back in the daze when the Canadian Broadcorping Castration had programmes for real people. It sounds very different here but no less enjoyable.
The music was written in 1918 by Richard A. Whiting, with lyrics by Raymond B. Egan. The song tells of the parting of a soldier and his sweetheart. The title comes from the final line of the chorus:
Walt's message for Independence Day: America is no fun any more! In this video, starting at the 3:55 mark you'll see Walt's favourite Dixieland New Orleans jazz band, Tuba Skinny, get busted by the New Orleans po-leece for "blocking traffic" on Royal Street. This was on April Fool's Day, but it was no joke.
The well-named James Sterling, who posts many of the Tuba Skinny videos, writes:
After much delay and confusion the City of New Orleans has returned Royal Street to a pedestrian mall as of April 26, 2022. However, there is still pressure from certain business owners on Royal St. to ban the pedestrian mall so the struggle will continue.
If you support the band and the freedom to make people happy, you can email the Civic Authorities and tell them what you think.
UPDATE ADDED 4/7/22: Good news, boys and girls! Tuba Skinny were not arrested when the New Orleans cops returned to the scene of their "crime". Guess they were in full compliance by then, because less than 48 hours later they appeared at the annual Abita Springs Buskerfest. Click here to see the just-released full video, 100 minutes of excellent Dixieland New Orleans jazz!
It is summer, traditionally the slow news season. Good weather for gardening or the beach. [Seriously? Ed.] Having been at this (blog) for nearly 13 years, I feel entitled to a few days off every now and then, and this week there's nothing going on that will be made any better by my customary carping and complaining.
So, dear readers, here's a musical interude from my favourite Dixieland New Orleans jazz band, Tuba Skinny. "Too Much Competition" was recorded at The Maison during French Quarter Festival week, this past April.
When I have something worth saying, I shall say it. Cheers n beers....
Every young man should have a crush on a girl singer, at least once in his life, right? When I was young(er) [MUCH "young(er") Ed.] I was hot for Maria Muldaur.
I bought her first album, just to get the hit single "Midnight at the Oasis", but when I looked at the cover photo and listened to the first cut on Side B -- "Don't You Feel My Leg (Don't You Get Me High)" -- I couldn't help but feel "Heaven's above!" (Yes Father, I mentioned this in confession, ages ago.)
Over the decades I lost track of Ms Muldaur, so was delighted when she came out of retirement (I presume) to sing with my favourite New Orleans jazz (formerly Dixieland jazz) band, Tuba Skinny.
Erika Lewis has been the vocalist with the band since Day One, but has recently been on a "time out", thus opening the door, so to speak, for Maria. She's put on some weight [You too! Ed.] but still has a beautiful sultry voice [Not you too! Ed.], just the type for this kind of folksy-bluesy music.
In May, Tuba Skinny and Maria Muldaur released "Let's Get Happy Together", their first (but, one hopes, not last) album together. Here is the official album release concert, recorded at the historic Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Hall in Mandeville LA.
Footnote: Shaye Cohn, seen here playing the cornet, leads Tuba Skinny. Although she can play some half dozen other instruments, she doesn't sing... but in my fever dreams she doesn't need to!
