Album Review: Mavis Staples & Levon Helm - Carry Me Home

Mavis Staples & Levon Helm 

Carry Me Home

**** out of *****

Back in June of 2011 Mavis Staples and long time friend/collaborator Levon Helm brought both of their touring bands together to perform and record at Helms studios in Woodstock, NY. The resulting show/playing has finally been released as the fantastic Carry Me Home. 

The record was produced by Larry Campbell and both bands were involved. Mavis Staples Band: Mavis Staples - Vocals Yvonne Staples - Harmony Vocals Donny Gerrard - Harmony Vocals Vicki Randle - Harmony Vocals Rick Holmstrom - Guitar Jeff Turmes - Bass Stephen Hodges – Drums and Levon Helm Band: Levon Helm - Drums, Vocals Amy Helm - Harmony Vocals Larry Campbell - Harmony Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin Teresa Williams - Harmony Vocals Brian Mitchell - Piano, Keyboards Jim Weider - Guitar Steven Bernstein - Trumpet Jay Collins - Tenor Sax Erik Lawrence - Baritone Sax Byron Isaacs - Bass Clark Gayton - Trombone.

The full power of the combined outfit is evident from the get go as "This Is My Country" delivers soulful horns, great drumming, guitar, backup vocals and a damn good lyric; this is some righteous protest music. Along with the excellent "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" that sense of fighting for equality and respect is delivered with firm grace by Staples who still sounds glorious, but also perturbed she still has to sing songs like these. 

The album dips heavily into the gospel roots of both artists as "Wide River To Cross" uses sweet sounds of spiritual healing and the full energy of the band, "Hand Writing On The Wall" adds just a touch of country rock to the gospel while "Farther Along" is a full on hymn. The outfit keeps the gospel feel while dipping more into blues based offerings with the slower guitar work out "Trouble In My Mind" and a pair of organ drenched slow burners "Move Along Train" and "This May Be The Last Time". 

Mavis is in fine vocal form throughout (as are the back up singers) but the full outfit truly explodes on "When I Go Away" which is gorgeous combination of everything both of these bands do so well. The bass and drums lead the ominous sounding rendition of Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" before the grand finale of "The Weight" as Levon contributes his strained vocals for the first time, during his last years (Helm died in 2012) Levon's vocals were very few, so it is nice to hear him at all.        

Two old friends who brought their backing bands together for a triumphant celebration of soulful, gospel based, roots rock and roll, Carry Me Home is a joyous capturing of fine musicianship from legends of the genre. 

___________________________________

Support the artists, buy the album, peep some video below:

Album Review: Mavis Staples - We Get By

Mavis Staples

We Get By

**** out of *****

Mavis Staples late career has been filled with excellent albums full of gospel soul and splashes of funky rock and roll. Having teamed with successful artists for her last two fantastic releases, 2016's Livin' On A High Note produced by M. Ward and 2017's If All I Was Was Black produced by Jeff Tweedy she continues the trend for We Get By as Ben Harper has written and produced the album; if the style ain't broke, don't fix it.  

What is broken is our current state of affairs in society and Staples is one of the few artists who was at the forefront of the civil rights movement and is still fighting for civil rights during these trying times. All of the lyrics on the record are rooted in fixing what is wrong today in general terms, calling for action to be taken. Even before the record spins the album art of Gordon Parks' photograph "Outside Looking In," show six black children look through a fence at a playground they can't enter where white children and families play; powerful.

"Change" sets the tone from the beginning as the fuzz rocked up guitar pairs with Staples soulful singing (and backing vocals from C. C. White Laura Mace) with direct lyrics and passion about our need to change the way we are living. Staples and crew are not afraid to get funky while she sings for change on "Anytime" or get slinky when directly addressing "Brothers and Sisters". The title track is a duet where Harper joins Staples and sounds like "Pops" Staples returning to vocalize with his daughter, eerie and affecting. 

While Harper and Staples are at the forefront, guitarist and band leader Rick Holmstrom should get immense credit as well. His guitar works wonders on the minimalist "Heavy On My Mind" as just Holmstrom and Staples powerful voice carry the day. The ringing lead lines he tosses out for tracks like the grooving "Stronger" and soulful closing pair "Hard To Leave" and "One More Change" find his unique riffs supporting staples vocals gloriously. 

The full band (Bass-Jeff Turmes, Drums-Stephen Hodges, Vocals-Donny Gerrard) get in gear for the gospel throwback "Sometime" complete with hand claps and bubbling bass line Mid album weeper/torch song "Never Needed Anyone" is a fine tune, but feels out of place in this collection, but that is really only one of the few negatives on We Get By. 

Staples, her band and any producer she seems to choose continue to make top notch music album after album. We Get By is just another solid brick in her career wall as she continues to try to break down other walls with her singing, her sound and her positive message.
____________________________________________________
Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

Album Review: Mavis Staples - Livin' On A High Note

Mavis Staples

Livin' On A High Note

***and1/2 out of *****

Mavis Staples has been very active lately working with current day stars who have been able to help out one of their idols. Her 15th studio effort is titled  Livin' On A High Note, it finds her moving more into a positive/mainstream region, with songs written by lots of today's popular indie artists, produced by M. Ward.

When the funk gets supped up, like on the opener "Take Us Back" and "Action" the albums success is instantly noticeable. The opener penned by Benjamin Booker has a punchy energy while "Action" written by Merrill Garbus contains a slippery groove which Staples slips directly into. "Tomorrow" from Jon Batiste and Aloe Blacc also is like an old slipper for Staples who instantly takes the funky soul track, making it a highlight.

Not all the songs written for her work perfectly as a track like "Dedicated" goes nowhere and never hits the emotional notes it shoots for while "High Note" is perfectly fine, but this is one case where the songwriter may want to revisit it. Valerie June could inject even more urgency and passion to the track, not easily said about a song sung by Mavis Staples, but the truth.

"Jesus Lay Down Beside Me" "Love and Trust" and "If It's A Light" clearly invoke Staples gospel roots and simplicity easing her back into what feels comfortable. "Don't Cry" written by the producer recalls a doo-wap 50's vibe that would fall in line with Ward's most recent More Rain.

In the end Livin' On A High Note is successful but also manages to feel a bit light and wispy at times as if not everyone was on the same page for energy/arraignments/writing of the tracks which can be expected with this many artists involved. Enjoyable and pleasant and in the end it is always a joy to hear Mavis sing; sometimes that is just enough.
______________________________________________________________________
Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

Album Review: Mavis Staples - If All I Was Was Black

Mavis Staples

If All I Was Was Black

**** out of *****

For her eighteenth studio album the legendary Mavis Staples once again teamed up with producer and songwriter Jeff Tweedy. If All I Was Was Black tackles our current political climate and Tweedy addressed this directly when discussing writing songs for the new album:

"I’ve always thought of art as a political statement in and of itself—that it was enough to be on the side of creation and not destruction. But there is something that feels complicit at this moment in time about not facing what is happening in this country head on."

Just last year the Staples and Tweedy combined for one of the best records of the 2016 with Livin' on A High Note, but this album digs a bit deeper lyrically while returning to Staples stripped down musical roots. Racial injustice is present from the first smooth funky outing "Little Bit" and continues into the title track. Both support Staples lead vocals with gorgeous backup singing, grooving riffs and excellently cutting electric guitar lead lines. It is a simple and direct formula that isn't messed with much over the course of the album. 

"Who Told You That" gets grittier with both the lyrics and the funk as the song takes a harder edge while "Peaceful Dream" goes back to church with Staples gospel singing, organ and easy acoustic plucking. There is very little to find fault with as the music effortlessly flows from the sweet soul sounds of "Build A Bridge" to the feedback driven "Try Harder"; all songs have a focus on healing humanity and our present day cultural rifts. One minor flaws is there isn't a full fledged anthem to get behind and a track like "No Time For Crying" runs long and never takes off on the record, but will probably be a focus of Staples live sets.

The pair of artists come together for a blissful duet on "Ain't No Doubt About It" that sums up their professional relationship (if not their personal one) in a very easy going straight ahead manner. Tweedy and Staples clicked immediately, knocking it out of the park in 2010 with the Grammy winning You Are Not Alone and have continued to succeed and strive ever since.

Staples late career renaissance is impressive and while her early wok will always soar high, her partnership with Jeff Tweedy has yielded almost as successful results. While If All I Was Was Black is definitely a 2017 record the sounds and (unfortunately the messages sung about) will live on for a long time.
_____________________________________________________________
Support the artist, buy the album and peep some video below:

Dylan Cover #230 Mavis Staples & Jonny Lang "Gotta Serve Somebody" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists, Mavis Staples & Jonny Lang doing a live cover of "Gotta Serve Somebody" 

This month we have a special focus on Artists who will be playing the 2016 Jazzfest in New Orleans.  This one is a twofer as Mavis Staples plays on 5/1 in the Blues Tent and Jonny Lang plays on  4/24 also in the Blues Tent

Thoughts on Original: 
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
This powerful call of hellfire and brimstone rained down from the mountaintop as Dylan proclaimed his faith proudly, and this was the first song that most of the public heard confirming the fact that Bob did indeed "Go Jesus".  It is point and fact with its belief and message.  You gotta serve somebody...can't be simpler then that when it comes to faith can it?  The original has a driving beat and a propulsion to it that sounds urgent, but not as urgent as Bob sings, reinforcing the proclamation through his powerful lyrics and leaving no man or woman on the sidelines...he brings everyone into this spiritual battle, and whatever your beliefs it is impossible not to feel Bob is committed as he runs through the verses and chorus.  
 Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artists:
Mavis Staples is a legend, we can't wait to catch her at Jazzfest and when she opens up for Dylan in Queens. We have never been huge fans of Jonny Lang, but we are pretty sure we caught him back in the day when the youngster was coming up.
Thoughts on Cover:
The fest starts this weekend so we were excited to find a cover with two Jazzfest participants to kick off this week and cover #230. Perhaps our favorite thing about this cover is that these two artists decided to play THIS song over all others in front of the Presidents...pure Boosh and ballsy move. Not the best cover, but soulful and on point for the moment.

Full Show Friday: Mavis Staples @ Museum of Making Music Carlsbad, CA 2015

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Mavis Staples!

This week we shine a light on an American legend as Mavis Staples and her band take center stage for an hour of tunes. The soulful mix of gospel rock, funk and roots rock is infectious. We caught her on this tour opening for Bob Dylan out in Queens and last year we caught her with this lineup open once again for Bob Dylan. We should also share our lover for her Jeff Tweedy produced album even rating it high in our year end review.

On this night of music covers from The Talking Heads and Parliament Funkadelic are sprinkled in with originals for this great set. Not pro shot or pro sound, but pretty damn close...Enjoy:

Live Streams: Mavis 80

With live music on lock down (like everything else currently in New York City) live streams and old concerts have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. While this current state of pandemic separation is in order we will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and you can always check out or weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past. Please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: Mavis 80

Today on Fans.com via Newport Folk Fest, there is a great celebration of the legendary Mavis Staples:

View this post on Instagram

ON SALE NOW! Join us for MAVIS 80 on 7/31 at 8:30PM ET - featuring Mavis Staples, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Ben Harper, Trombone Shorty, Grace Potter, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucius, and more Come show your support for @newportfestivals. Link in profile.

A post shared by Newport Folk Fest (@newportfolkfest) on Jul 14, 2020 at 7:07am PDT

RtBE have loved Mavis since we first heard her. She continues to be an artists worth seeking out as her recent albums have been some of the best of her career. 

We have had the privilege of seeing her live multiple times with her great band. Tonight should be fun, to get in the mood here she is singing "Build A Bridge / Change / Anytime" from La Cigale - Paris - July 5th 2019:

Year In Review 2019 - Favorite Albums Part 1: The Just Misses and Let Downs

Another great year is finishing up for @RockBodElec and we wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE Presents the Best of 2019 Favorite Albums Part One: The Just Misses & Let Downs:

In the instance that RtBE has reviewed the album either on the site or somewhere else we will link to that review and just give a quick summation, just click on the name and title and you can read it. As always RtBE worked with the Glide Team to give input on the their Top 20, so expect some overlap.

Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but complete releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle or singles for RtBE.

Today we are going to focus on the "Just Misses" of our top ten and unfortunately the "Let Downs" released this year. Obviously these are just our personal preferences, feel free to voice your opinion in the comments. Expect second installment (#10-6) soon, but for now click on the green "Read More" below:

Year In Review 2019 - Favorite Album Art

We kick off our Year in Review section of 2019 with a favorite feature in the Best of... area, Album Art. Like in years past we will be choosing our Best Albums of the Year, a few we were underwhelmed with and our favorite show. Today we are starting out by judging books (records) by their covers (vinyl sleeves, jackets, digital pics, etc). We are going to support the creative minds behind the Best Album Art Work of 2019.

The biggest gripe RtBE has with digital music is not the quality (that has been massively improved) nor the disposal nature of it (still a problem, but whatever), it is the lack of amazing album covers and art work.

Sure there may be great artists out there but seeing it on a screen, in iTunes or elsewhere is nothing compared to holding an LP cover or even a CD booklet with pages of lyrics, pictures etc. Thankfully the rise of vinyl is helping this dilemma but it is still not enough. The hours we spent staring, actually holding, examining tons of covers while listening to music can't be adequately recorded, it added new dimensions to the sounds. You were connected to album in a more physical way; things were deeper, more evocative...Anyways...

Dylan Cover #578 The Staple Singers "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by The Staple Singers playing " A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"

All April (and the first week of May) RtBE focuses our Monday Dylan Cover Series on artists who are playing this years New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Today is Mavis Staples who plays the festival this Friday April 28th

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
Dylan singing from a position of fear as he poetically discusses the Cuban Missile Crisis and the possibility of Nuclear annihilation. Dylan also mentioned in Chronicles that the song was inspired by a feeling he got when reading microfiche newspapers in the New York Public Library: "After a while you become aware of nothing but a culture of feeling, of black days, of schism, evil for evil, the common destiny of the human being getting thrown off course. It’s all one long funeral song." An apt description and a powerful song from a young songwriter.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Long time favorites of RtBE, Mavis and The Staple Singers are American treasures. We have reviewed multiple albums from Mavis, seen her live a few times and really enjoy her spirit, voice and presence. 

Thoughts on Cover:
This is obviously cheating a little bit as just Mavis is playing Jazzfest, but she is singing lead here with Pervis. It is a strong song and repetition of the music drives that home, while not a personal favorite it is solid. Unfortunately we will be missing this Friday the 28th at Jazzfest, but if you are there make sure you check out Mavis.      

Album Review: Gorillaz - Humanz

Gorillaz

Humanz

** out of *****

The Gorillaz first new studio album in seven years finds the band, along with an unending lineup of guest collaborators, hurling huge bushels of digital bananas at the listener. Humanz is a long playing and ultimately underwhelming release as heaps of dance laden numbers keep coming in various tweaked styles. While at the end it has been a semi-fun (if exhausting) ride, nothing jumps out as must hear.

Main monkey man and Gorillaz co-founder Damon Albarn wanted the album to be an emotional response to the politically changing world all around him. There are lots of searching feelings and questioning lyrics but little in the form of political protest or statements. There are constant disco club infused beats and guests galore. Vince Staples pop’s up first delivering powerful verses on the skittering “Ascension” and the parade continues until Jehnny Beth arrives to shout out on the positive ending track “We Got The Power” in an almost Queen arena fashion (unlike anything that has come before it on the album).

The moments come fast and are tweaked stylistically and in terms of success. On the positive side you find the nouveau techno soul of “Strobelite” (featuring Peven Everett) and the late night clubby cool of “Andromedia” (featuring D.R.A.M). While “Momentz” finds De La Soul back in the lyrical saddle, however pairing them with Casio keyboard sounds and cheap beats isn’t successful while Popcaan brings his dancehall reggae charm to “Saturnz Barz” but the second half from Albarn falls flat.

One major takeaway is that there is a lack of big beats on the record as it sonically dives into the “taking low end away” movement lacking a bumping energy, instead moving towards club jams and slow efforts (see “Hallelujah Money” and “She’s My Collar”). “Let Me Out” is a clear song that would benefit from bombastic beats and energy but instead (even with Mavis Staples and Pusha T on-board) it remains aloof.

However, this production style does help accentuate the weirdness that floats through the speakers on “Charger” (featuring Grace Jones). There is a creepy coolness boarding on industrial/serial killer sounds with buzzing guitars and eerie sonic settings.

While Humanz doesn’t hit the heights Albarn and Jamie Hewlett may have been searching for, it isn’t for lack of effort. Their “party at the end of the world” effort just never really gives back the bang for the listening buck.

______________________________________________________________

Support the band, buy the album and peep some video below:

Album Review: North Mississippi Allstars - Up and Rolling

North Mississippi Allstars

Up and Rolling

***and1/2 out of *****

The newest from the North Mississippi Allstars continues their string of solid releases, incorporating a host of friends and new sounds into brothers Cody and Luther Dickinson ever evolving blues playing. For this effort the core band has expanded to include Carl Dufrene on bass, Sharisse Norman on vocals and Sharde Thomas on fife and vocals.

That new fife and drum hill country blues sound comes at you right from the gate with "Call That Gone" as the band gets loose around Thomas' fife and Cody's big bass drum while Luther's lead lines soar. The more laid back hippie themed title track lets the band stretch out before with languid fluidity but the core group is just as happy to get down and dirty like on "Bump That Mother" which attacks Mississippi racist history and state flag with Roosevelt Collier helping out on steel guitar.

Guest stars are a big part of Up and Rolling as the boogie band bring on-board some grade A level friends starting with none other than Mavis Staples. Staples joins for the gospel grooving of "What You Gonna Do?" which also features Tierinii Jackson and Tikyra Jackson (of Southern Avenue) on vocals and Rev Charles Hodges gorgeous B3 organ work. 

Ace guitar slingers Duane Betts and Jason Isbell (who also sings) turn up for the heavy blues of "Mean Old World" which kicks up to an Allman Brothers southern rave to close; the tune feels as if it could go on forever and hopefully all the players get after live in the future. Compatriot Cedric Burnside joins for the rolling hill country blues of "Out on the Road" and the more Sunday orientated "Take My Hand, Precious Lord".

The same complaints remain for the band, they naturally create more of a "vibe" than a true must hear album (reminiscent of World Boogie Is Coming) and the studio tracks tend to run on to long, but both issues are par for the course when it comes to a band who is made for the live stage.

On this go around however Norman and Thomas vocals really add a new dimension to the bands sound, a throw away tune like "Drunk Outdoors" evolves into a funky duet, bringing smiles and hip shaking party vibes to the group. As the North Mississippi Allstars continue to do their thing in their own way, with help from great friends, they continue to exceed expectations and put out music that makes you think and dance, can't ask for much more during these times.
_______________________________________
RtBE has seen and reviewed NMAS multiple times in the past and it is good to see them still getting after it at this high level and incorparting new people into the group. Support the band, buy the album, stream it on bandcamp or below and peep some video:

Live Review: Bob Dylan 11/20/17 Beacon Theater NYC

Hey all, got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!

It is of Bob Dylan's recent show at the Beacon Theater on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It is no secret that Bob is an idol of RtBE but over the last few albums and live experiences we have been let down by the bard...but not at this show. 

This was the best we have seen Dylan and the band in years. 

Mavis Staples was a joy to see as well with her backup singers and band clearly enjoying themselves on stage as well. The only negatives on the night were the exorbitant Ticketmaster service charge ($40 per ticket) and the Beacon Theater having only 5 metal detectors for all 3,000 people to filter through. Clearly that fee was not going to security as lines snaked around the block at 7pm when the doors were opening and moved incredibly slowly. 

Focusing on the positive though, it was a hell of a night of tuns from two of the all-time greats. Support Bob and Mavis, and peep some video below: 

Year In Review 2022 - Favorite Archival Releases

Each year the music industry dips into the past to deliver box sets, live albums, re-masters and outtake collections to sell to the music loving masses (present company included). This look back will round up some of RtBE's favorite archival releases from the past year. 

Usually these releases can fall into the money grab category, not really adding much outside of revenue for the label and (hopefully) the artist. Every now and then though some spectacular collections are unearthed and are worth any price. 

RtBE includes live albums in this category, since they were recorded in the recent or distant past and thus fall into archival release status. 

With the increase in vinyl, and enhanced Record Store Days to help smaller sellers, there are more and more archival releases each year. RtBE are sure to miss a lot of them, but the quality and abundance is exciting. Post your favorites, or any we may have missed in the comments. 

These were our favorite archival releases of 2022, click the link in the title for full length reviews. 

Bob Dylan PreSale Info For Forest Hills Show 7/8/16

This summer Bob Dylan and His Band return to Forest Hills Stadium with special opener Mavis Staples. It should be a great Friday Night of tunes on July 8th and you can grab your tickets now.

From TicketFly, here is the information regarding the presale:

Use promo code TICKETFLY until 10pm Friday for first dibs on this legendary night.

It should be a great night of tunes. so grab your tickets today.  Here is a funky Mavis Staple cover and some Official Live Bob Sanctioned Music, man I wish he would break out a live version of "Most Of The Time" in Queens, this one cooks:

2026 New Orleans JazzFest Artist Predictions

The lineup for the 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced soon, but RtBE got the early scoop...

NOLA 2023 Jazzfest Artist Predictions

The lineup for the 2023 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Nola Jazzfest 2022 Artist Predections

 So... we did this back in early 2020, and got a bunch right...then Jazzfest was canceled. Then tried again for a special October 2021 edition of Jazzfest and that was canceled as well...third times a charm for 2022? 

The lineup for the 2022 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.

We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go each year) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Funky Big Sam,  Galactic, Trombone Shorty who will all definitely be there.

Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show. 

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....

NOLA Jazzfest 2021, Artist Predictions

So... we did this back in early 2020, and got a bunch right...then Jazzfest was canceled. Let's hope this one is happens and a lot of the same artists are involved. 

The lineup for the 2021 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced tomorrow but RtBE got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.

We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go each year) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Funky Big Sam,  Galactic, Trombone Shorty who will all be there.

Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show. This is the first time the festival is being held in October so that changes things.

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....

Sazerwrap 2026

In years past we have delivered a Sazerwrap to catalog our personal New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival experience, so we will continue that this year. 

The fried oyster salad with shrimp at Atchafalaya

We have reviewed some of the shows we caught already and it should be stated: Jazzfest in New Orleans is RtBE's absolute favorite time of the year.