New Orleans 1991 - part 2

Continuing edited memories of my New Orleans trip of 1991 (picture shows John Howard, Dave Thomas, Keith Johnson, me and others at the Landmark Hotel):

Thursday, May 2: Breakfast at Clover Grill and then to Jazzfest, for Snooks Eaglin, a set that got better and better, zydeco man Lynn August, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, good New Orleans R and B from Bobby Marchan, Taj Mahal and Eddie Bo (for the 3rd time this trip), finishing up with C J Chenier. (Sad to think that many of these are now dead.) A great evening: met up with John and Jonathan and then to the Lion's Den where Allen Toussaint guested on keyboards with Irma, who was very relaxed. A couple of numbers too from Lee Bates. Even Emile Jackson smiled.

Friday, May 3: Not such a great day at Jazzfest. Highlights were C P Love, George Porter, Deacon John, livened up by Marcia Ball and some swamp pop with Tommy McLain and Warren Storm. Later watched a spaced out Wille DeVille in Tower records and then to the Mid City Bowl for the excellent Johnny Adams. Later went to Michaul's where John and Dave were watching Wayne Toups and then to Tipitinas, where we got in free and saw a whole hour of Irma. Call signs: Stella (as in A Streetcar Named Desire), Jimmy Barnes (Aussie singer) and Kenny Ball (ie Can 'e bowl).

Saturday, May 4: Not a vintage day at Jazzfest. Kenny Neal good, Wayne Toups crowded, The Jolly Boys from Jamaica were fun, Dixie Cups best of the day (pictured). Met up with John, Jon, Dave and Mick in the evening and went to a huge glitzy honytonk called Mudbugs - straight out of Dallas. Then to the Bowl again for the Iguanas.

Sunday, May 5. Last day at Jazzfest - Mr Google-eyes (ancient and off beat), Oliver la La Morgan, Frankie Ford (rather MOR), Champion Jack Dupree ( great), Five Blind Boys of Alabama (a real highlight), Allen Toussaint, Robert Cray, Dewey Balfa, and finishing off with the Neville Brothers - what a day! One final drink at the Landmark, with Dick Waterman there, plus Ken Lending and Richard Thompson.