UPDATED: VIDEO: Tuba Skinny runs afoul of the New Orleans LAW!

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!

MUSIC VIDEO: New(ish) release from Tuba Skinny

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....

Best wishes for the New Year 2022

from Walt Whiteman, Poor Len Canayen [and Ed.! Ed.]

 

"Till We Meet Again"

Tuba Skinny on Royal Street, New Orleans, 14 January 2019

MUSIC VIDEO: Album release: Maria Muldaur sings with Tuba Skinny

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.  

The album is on Stony Plain Records. You can click here to stream, download or order the CD. And don't forget to tip the band! When you donate, please tell them Walt sent ya! (No, I don't get a commission, just want them to know I'm trying to help.)

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!