The Sunday in weekend one of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was another unbelievable day of some of the best music ever and delicious, decadent food. You can watch the audio/visual review.
Find out:
•What food I tried this time.
•Whether Rod Stewart did a hits show or focused on the Great American Songbook.
•Discovering an incredible mento band from Jamaica.
•What Irma Thomas said about her fans
•Who Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. channels.
It’s all here in the review!
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Sunday at the festival stage
For a day like today, a review feels like a fitting way to cap things off. Sure, I like to share my thoughts and feelings with you all. But other than that, it’s also to help me remember.
And this Sunday, the first weekend of Jazz Fest—it’s not one I’d ever want to forget. It was a hot one, and sure there were some dark clouds, but nothing seemed too concerning. The more pressing issue was gastronomical. An iced café au lait had become a first-things-first tradition, then some lunch. The duck sliders were a welcome first course. Juicy, a different taste, then a classic.
I had an oyster po’ boy. As it happened, all of the acts I wanted to see were at the Festival Stage. There’s always someone’s set that you catch the tail of that you haven’t seen before. Many times, it’s a lucky find. This time, it was the New Orleans Nightcrawlers. It’s a band with a lot of pieces. A fun band with a funky sound. Quintessentially New Orleans, like the name implies.
The infectious energy of zydeco
Then it was great to finally see Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters. I’ve interviewed Dopsie on my radio show. It’s been quite a few years now, and let me just state how sorry I am that it’s taken me so long to see them live. This is one of the most infectious party bands I’ve seen. Dopsie, his brothers, and bandmates do zydeco music proud. And Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. channels James Brown.
Aside from playing the rub board, he’s got energy—unimaginable energy. He dips into splits, dances, and kicks, all while smiling. They’ve got a pleasing repertoire from Louisiana music to the Rolling Stones and the Doobie Brothers, and they did an incredible homage to Antoine “Fats” Domino with the classic “Walking To New Orleans,” prompting a mass sing-along—a favorite moment for me.
A soul queen and a mento discovery
I highly recommend Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters. Wandering off to the relief stations, I caught a song from the Showjam Mento Band at the Jazz and Heritage Stage. I’d only heard mento music on records. I was quite transfixed. Mento is a traditional Jamaican folk music. It’s acoustic. They’re like calypsos. Very cool stuff.
But I had to hurry to catch Irma Thomas. I never want to miss her. She’s really one of the all-time great American singers and the Soul Queen of New Orleans. Irma Thomas has been recording and performing since the ’60s. She sings unbelievably, and live—what a presence! “It’s Raining” always knocks me out. As she began the song, a few raindrops fell. It started and ended just as quick.
I thought about what an incredible songwriter Allen Toussaint was. Irma continues to bring a timelessness to his songs and to the songs of other songwriters. She did “Sing It,” dedicating it to Marcia Ball. Calling her a sister from another mother, Irma Thomas said, “I have never had a million seller, but I have millions of fans.” Other highlights were “Simply the Best,”
And a gospel-like rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young”—a pretty good closing song, especially since Sir Rod Stewart was up next as the finale for the Festival Stage before everyone would go home for the week. They prepared the stage for Sir Rod. They went with an all-white stage, and soon his band assembled in white jackets. I wondered if Rod Stewart would do his hits or more of his Great American Songbook stuff.
Rod Stewart closes the day
It was a hit show, mostly. It began with “Infatuation,” and anyone who claims that Rod doesn’t have a raw talent and star magnetism is fooling themself. He’s got the pipes, and he and his band put everything into it. Yes, they give you everything. You don’t sell 250 million records without having that certain something. And live, he’s an experience. Highlights included the Faces song, “Stay With Me.”
“Forever Young” featured a long instrumental break—just enough time for Rod to do a wardrobe change. Then they did “Some Guys Have All the Luck,” and the young couple in front of me took the occasion of hearing Rod Stewart sing “I’d Rather Go Blind” as a cue to lock lips for most of the song. I loved hearing Sir Rod sing the Curtis Mayfield classic “People Get Ready,” and he sent everyone home with his interpretation of the O’Jays’ “Love Train.”
The giant screen showed newspaper headlines as Rod tried to subtly insert a little politics. Fair enough and not obnoxious. It doesn’t matter so much who wants to see your show as it does who wants to see you again. It was great hearing Rod Stewart report back about seeing Preservation Hall in New Orleans the night before. It’s great to hear when performers recognize the importance and history of the Crescent City. Cheers, Rod.
And another Jazz Fest day was history. If you haven’t been, you should go. God willing, I’ll be back to Jazz Fest in 2027. Until next time.
