Frenchmen Street Daily

I've been away so long I hardly know where to begin. So, let me begin with the positive. Peter was in town the last five weeks for his long awaited sabbatical. It provided me a much-needed reason to delve even deeper into the daily rebirth of my much beloved music scene. When I think about all of the music we managed to absorb over these weeks, I am certain of one thing - there is a dedicated core of incredibly talented musicians doing their best to breathe life into our devastated city. Walter "Wolfman" Washington, The Hot 8 Brass Band, John Boutte, Leroy Jones, The Jazz Vipers, The Palm Court Jazz Band, Charmaine Neville, Bob French - just to name a few - have returned to the city and given both the clubs that have opened and the residents who so desperately need a reprieve from the daily and at times insurmountable challenges we face an opportunity to nourish our spirits and remind ourselves why we are so determined to rebuild and renew the many areas of our city that are still so devastated.

It's been an amazing five weeks of music - and it's meant so much more than it ever did. I still can't hear "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" without shedding tears. One of the most memorable performances of that was when Kermit and Rebirth were at Vaughan's for the first time and Kermit improvised: "And there's one thing more, I miss the Lower Ninth Ward, more than I miss New Orleans." It was absolutely perfect! Over and over, when we're all together singing and dancing to our home-grown music, we see the possibility of recovery and allow ourselves to hope that one day the levees will be rebuilt and our friends and neighbors will return to their neighborhoods and reestablish the threads so vital to our social fabric.

It is at once a joyous and frightening time. Each time a restaurant or club opens or a band performs for the first time "back home", we become a little more hopeful. Each day, I see friends and acquaintances that have returned and I witness others experiencing similar reunions. We're all very fragile these days. Our hugs are a little longer and our conversations much more meaningful than they were before the storm. But, I've been back so long, I've become accustomed to daily sights that should shock me. I think Peter had the same experience. I'm curious to hear Kevin and Noam's perspectives - both were able to visit for a weekend and experience the contradictions that are currently our city. There is a narrow path along the river that was virtually untouched by the hurricane or the levee failure. If you stay in that area, which includes Magazine Street, the French Quarter, the Marigny and the Bywater, life has pretty much returned to its pre-K state. However, you only need to drive a few blocks to see the man-made devastation caused by the levee failures.

Anyway, I'm here for the long haul and even in the midst of all this man-made destruction and government neglect, am grateful to be living in what I still consider the most beautiful, culturally rich and vibrant city in the country. We've got a long road ahead of us, and some things are forever changed, but I think I can say confidently the spirit of New Orleans is alive - the people are doing everything in their power to bring this city back. If only the government and those who hold the pursestrings could match the people's dogged determination and strength of spirit.

deano baby, a tree just fell in the forest and i heard it. hope you are well and the house is coming together out on the coast. work has been off the hook on my coast but i am hoping to have a chance to shoot down to NOLA even if briefly before a whole lot more time goes by.

several hundred new orleanseans have been relocated to DC; i'm not sure they are going back or the other evacuees so i am anxious to see for myself what we cannot find on the news anymore...namely that life in general and the soul of the place, goes on.

Who is still with me? Role call. Make your presence known.

Looks like music is on it's way back to New Orleans. Kermit, Rebirth, Bonerama, Jon Cleary, and others are playing in and around town this weekend and halloween night.

Kermit, Cleary, The Nevilles, Big Sam, and Dirty Dozen did a show last night at The House of Blues on Sunset in Hollywood. I couldn't attend. I think the show is to be replayed on MSN.com this Saturday. Kermit's show in New Orleans tonight is going to be streamed on nola.com.

Anyone still out there?

Deano.

Sammy, I'm with you. I've been extremely pissed off at the Media. I also agree with Peter that there was way too long of a delay before shit started to happen down there and I still can't grasp why that was the case.

I have also found myself getting pissed off at people at work. Just the other day someone called me stating he had a "code red" situation because some product couldn't be scanned at a warehouse and therefore paint might arrive late to The Home Depot. It was early in the morning and at the time I was watching CNN. I hung up the phone and laid down an array of expletives that would have made Tony Montana proud. Some people have a messed up perspective on things and I was about tell this particular VP that very thing, but thought I should keep it to myself and yell at the dog instead.

I know I shouldn't judge this dude -- or anyone else for that matter-- but it's not the first time I've heard him make a comment like that (he once said that using SAP was like living in a third world country). I know it's an attempt at humor, and I know that I'm not perfect and there is a hell of lot more I can do, but that didn't stop me from wanting to wrap the phone cord around his neck...if only we were using phones that actually had cords attached to them.

Understand your rage, Sammy. Hard to know who to be angrier at -- the choices are broad! I am reserving mine for FEMA and the Administration. Not funding category five levees is one thing. Not responding for five days is another. Blood is on all their hands.

the farther we get from the event, the more incredible it seems that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and half of Friday passed without relief arriving. Writing those days out in a row makes it even more unbelievable. My pal Danny Lewis made a great point: the convention center is right on the mississippi. across the river the land was entirely dry. couldn't someone have thought to put supplies on a boat on monday or tuesday and taken them across the river? would have taken, oh, about ten minutes!!!!!

Agree with Sammy that the media is a bunch of idiots. But they are not criminals. Unlike those in charge.

But like Sammy, I wonder how the media has been able to communicate so easily when the mayor could not even get a communications center up until Sunday!

And what has the department of homeland security been doing with all the dollars they have been given? and why is the head of fema the former head of the arabian horse association?

Comical if it wasn't so damned tragic.

On the lighter side, it was encouraging to see the annual Decadence Day parade was held yesterday in the Quarter. Nothing's going to extinguish the flame of that place!

personally, i still don't know how to properly convey condolences or whatever the right word is, especially to folks like carol and now peter, for whom new orleans is not just a place to call home but a mindset, and a way of life. i'm pretty sure there is an apt chauncey gardiner quote in there somewhere to be found. so i will not use this space to lament my own selfish losses of what i have come to love in the last few years. i think every city that claims to love music, should have an honorary NOLA jazzfest tribute next April/May to celebrate what was and will one day return - someone needs to organize dozens of mini jazzfests all across the country the last wknd in april/first wknd in may, eith each of those cities highlighting not just the music and culture that would normally be at a NO jazzfest but featuring NOLA performing artists.

in the meantime, there is one thing i still don't get and i think about this every time i watch CNN or MSNBC or the others, and i'm sure i'm just being totally naive in this but HOW THE FUCK ARE THOSE NATIONAL BROADCAST REPORTERS SO GODDAMNED FRESHLY SCRUBBED, WASHED, SHAVEN AND WELL FED EACH AND EVERY DAY WHILE PEOPLE ALL AROUND THEM ARE DYING OF THIRST, HUNGER AND DISEASE BY THE HOUR!!! And how do they reconcile themselves with their mediteranean tans and culinary appetites while they are playing that game of empathizing with local victims and playing to the cameras with their so-called outrage. what a load of crap those guys are. Reason #133 why i hate the media.

Those early reports on Katrina completely underestimated the devastation in New Orleans. All morning the national hurricane center was saying New Orleans was not out of the woods - those national idiots instead relied on a bunch of foolish kamikaze reporters who thought that standing outside and showing us how bad 100 mph winds were (as though we couldn't figure it out ourselves) by demonstration told us all we needed to know. They completely missed the story in New Orleans.

The Quarter and uptown seemed to escape the flooding. The same cannot be said for the rest of the city. Hundreds (if not more) people were stranded on rooftops, in trees, etc. as a result of sudden flooding due to breaks in the levee system, failure of pumps and storm surge. Those that were able to hang on long enough are being rescued by boat - but this could not begin until the storm passed and it was safe to go out in the boats. My neighborhood and the lower 9th ward were particularly hard hit (according to the Mayor, there were dead bodies floating in my neighborhood...). From the footage I've seen thus far, they're both under water - as is much of the Treme, as well as many other neighborhoods. Since New Orleans is basically a bowl, I have no idea how they're going to get the water out or how long it will take. I also have no idea what I'll be coming home to or when I'll be able to come home. There is no power in the city, there is no safe drinking water (a water main broke and they're telling everyone to boil the water - except CBD and Algiers), and it is virtually impossible to reach anyone by phone. Anyway, it's overwhelming and devastating and I'm starting to think my love affair with New Orleans is cursed.

Take a look at WWL TV's video coverage of rescues in the 9th Ward (my neighborhood...), the NOLA.com website, WDSU TV, etc. and you'll get a feel for just how bad it is.

I'm in New Hope, PA at my brother's house until the airport opens and they let people back into the city. Until then, I probably won't know much more about how we fared. It's an incredibly helpless and frustrating situation to be in...

Say a prayer, light a candle, meditate, do whatever it is you do - so that everyone who is trapped gets out safely.

Carol

Hardly know where to start. But let's start with first things first: Katrina. Am on pins and needles right now waiting for news, but at 1:40 central (2:40 eastern), it looks like the knockout punch avoided New Orleans. while damage and flooding appear widespread, early reports indicate the Quarter came through it ok. Not out of the woods yet, but cautiously optimistic.

Have an e-mail into Joe and Ken, and also am trying to locate Glen (the developer) to see how 822 fared.

More importantly, though, Carol, I hope you and your homes and friends made it through safely. Please let us know as soon as you can.

It's tough getting accurate news, so anything you can share would be appreciated.

otherwise, spent last week on vacation on Cape cod...you won't believe who I ran into: Di Di! she's bartending/waitressing at a restaurant in Provincetown, where we visit for at least one day every summer. We were on Commercial Street and i heard someone yelling, "Peter, Peter?" turned out she was late for work with a dog on one hand and a smoothie on the other. Sounds like a fun summer although she misses New Orleans.

Satchmofest was a blast, although Saturday night was out of control -- and at least I paid the price on Sunday. learned an important lesson that night, but damned if i can remember what it was! So that probably means I am damned to repeat whatever mistakes I made again (and again, and again....)!

I will have the opportunity next week, i believe (that is if 822 is still standing!). Headed there next Wednesday night for the weekend with an old pal. He's never been to New Orleans so it should be fun. And the following weekend, my sister and brother in law are coming for a visit (and festival in Lafayette). These are the last vestiges of my sabbatical, which sadly I have had to postpone until October for a variety of work-related reasons.

SatchmoFest Highlights: Nicholas Payton was the top musical moment by far, with Troy at the Fest and Corey at DBA second. Spotted Cat is my new favorite bar -- along with 13. classic moments with the bartender at the Spotted Cat (what was his name -- JB or something?).

Missed you Angie -- it was your kind of weekend! Glad Sammy was there to keep Dino and me under control. Nice job, Sammy! (Irony intended!). Next time i see a white van, I am just gonna say no.

Glad Shirley could be there for most of the time -- but sorry your weekend ended so poorly.

More to come -- first day back from vacation, so I am a little short on time today. Regards to everyone.

Hi all!
Sounds like Satchmo Fest was a blast - even without me. Imagine... Glad you all had so much fun.
I've got a bigger issue and it's the number 40. As in, "OH MY GOD, I'M TURNING 40 IN A WEEK!!?" How can this possibly happen to a nice dame like me??
Frankie baby, you've got connections - can't you take care of this?
Deano, what about you? You're a smooth talker. Can't you dump a drink on someone and stop this from happening?
Shirley, girlfriend, with all your legal expertise there must be some brief, writ, motion that can be filed to squash this ridiculous occurence .
Sammy, you're in DC, for Pete's sake! Talk to the President!
Boots, if none of of the Pack can save me, you're going to have a LOT of drinking to do !

OK, that's my freakout, I think I'm OK - for now...

Love,
Angie

Carol, well done in describing the weekend. I agree with your description of the night at Cafe Brasil. That was one of my highlights. But there is very bad news to report. Peter, Noam and I were asleep by 11pm on Sunday night. There, I said it. We had a nice dinner at Maximos (had to show Peter how to get there as it had been so long since his last visit), then took a cruise up Bourbon, then...are you ready for this? HOME!

I made an attempt to continue the night by stopping by Donna's at 10:45, but it wasn't happening enough for me to go in so I too made my way home by 11. We all made our cab rides on Monday morning, but I felt strange all day. I didn't feel right. Those who've heard my story call my Monday morning feeling things like Maturity, Responsibility, and Intelligence. I don't know about those things, but whatever I had, I didn't like it. Out there at "13" and The Spotted Cat were lonely bartenders on Sunday night, and we are to blame.