Stomping 2010 - 5

Friday was not such a brilliant day at Jazzfest, especially as Aretha Franklin had cancelled yet again, but there was a fair amount to see and enjoy. We kicked off with New Orleans' only truly successful girl group the Dixie Cups, who played some old favourites including Iko Iko and Chapel of Love. Then I skipped between stages, taking in bits of Steve Riley, Jose Feliciano, the Gypsy Kings, Allen Toussaint, Elvis Perkins and an excellent but very over weight female gospel group called the Selvys. In the evening we went to see Irma Thomas at the Precinct. As ever, Irma's voice and sense of humour were in good shape, but the sound was dreadful. Needless to say Keith from Essex, Irma's biggest fan in every respect, was there.
It was a weak day at the Jazzfest yesterday so we took the day off and lazed around. In the evening went to a wine place called the Bacchanale, where a couple of glasses were consumed, and then to the launch party of Charmaine Neville's new jazz club. As well as Charmaine there was an all female brass band called the Pinettes playing, who were very proficient.
Today it's off to Jazzfest, with our fingers crossed that the weather (or possibly the oil slick) doesn't intervene.