2011

The Live on Letterman webcast series gives some of the Late Show with David Letterman musical guests a chance to play a full set on the stage of the Ed

I’ve been back from the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for seven weeks. But the flavors of the city and the music of Frenchman Street and the various clubs around town have not left my brain. Here’s a little something funky for your weekend.

Lee Dorsey – Night People

For their two song “super jam” during Jazz Fest, the Funky Meters & Galactic joined forces with Corey Glover of Living Colour fame for a take on this Allen Toussaint song. Clearly it was a smashing success. Wednesday night in Brooklyn, Galactic & Corey reprised it with Warren Haynes on guitar. Lee Dorsey was original New Orleans Funk. Dig in those crates people.

Scissor Sisters – Take Your Mama

This band has nothing to with Jazz Fest. In fact, they have more to do with gay New York City club culture. But the groove is infectious. And although I suspect it refers to a club, they mention New Orleans in the song. And the city’s name and the fact that it makes you shake your ass is really all that matters.

Robert Palmer – Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley

If you don’t know who Allen Toussaint is, then you’re missing out on the man who probably singlehandedly defined the sound of funky New Orleans that we’ve all come to love. But if you only know Robert Palmer as the guy with all the dancing models playing instruments behind him in his ’80s videos, then shame on you. Palmer who left us much too early was one of the great white soul voices. And his work on albums like the one that shared its title with this Allen Toussaint penned song combined The Meters with Lowell George, “Pretty” Purdie, Richard Tee, Cornell Dupree and Steve Winwood among others. READ ON for the rest of this mix’s tracklist…

Galactic @ Brooklyn Bowl feat. Warren Haynes – June 22

Words: Chad Berndtson
Photos: Robert Chapman

For many years, Galactic was a two-in-one band. On one side, an intense, massively funky instrumental group, and on the other, a rock-, soul- and R&B-soaked backing ensemble for the great Theryl “The Houseman” deClouet, who before he was waylaid by health problems, prowled – nay, owned — the stage for large sections of Galactic shows. Being that two-in-one gave Galactic a split personality, but the New Orleans-associated sounds it’s always been known for provided a common denominator, and gave its concerts natural flow.

[All photos by Rob Chapman]

Since the end of the Houseman era – about 2004 or so – Galactic’s been a lot tougher to define, and not because they’ve branched out farther in other musical directions, notably hip-hop. They’ve always been eclectic. It’s just that these days, a Galactic concert is more of a variety show: a core group of musicians that defines the band, but draws on an extended family of collaborators to fill gaps in some areas and augment Galactic in others. Are they welcome additions? Absolutely. Are they necessary? Depends. With so much emphasis placed on those guests, Galactic limits its repertoire, and also, it can be argued, muddles its identity a bit.

But what guests. Rebirth Brass Band trombonist Corey Henry is firmly in the fold now, essential to the Galactic fabric when a jam gets cooking. Living Colour singer Corey Glover, who punctuates Galactic much like the Houseman used to, is another compelling addition — a seriously capable rock, soul and R&B vocalist with a theatrical streak a mile wide.

READ ON for more from Galactic at Brooklyn Bowl…

There haven’t been many interviews with Phish front man Trey Anastasio this year, so we are excited to see that RollingStone.com has posted a longer version of their chat with

Once again Phish archivist Kevin Shapiro has reached into the vaults to come out with selections for another Live Bait compilation of classic Phish tracks. For Live Bait Volume 5, Shapiro has selected some gems from the group’s past festivals to help get the fanbase even more excited for next weekend’s Super Ball IX event in Watkins Glen, NY.

The mix starts with the Party Time opener from Phish’s last festival, Festival 8 and continues with a few choice tracks from Ian McLean’s parties in the late ’80s. We then get a trifecta of tracks from a previous Live Phish release, August 26, 1989 at Townshend Family Park in Vermont followed by a pair of songs from the 1990 Townshend show. Reba from July 14, 1991 gives us a taste of the final Townshend show in 1991.

While a super-crispy recording of Phish’s performance with the Giant Country Horns from July 21, 1991 at Arrowhead Ranch has made the rounds for decades, this Live Bait compilation gives us crystal clear tracks from the previous night as well as the Gumbo from the 21st. Amy’s Farm is represented by a choice Divided Sky. From there we move into the modern Phish Festival era with songs from each of the band’s events. Even Coventry gets some love with the inclusion of the “blowing off some steam” Split Open and Melt jam. READ ON for the full tracklist…