Tag: Bill Withers

2012 Bear Creek Orchestra At Large feat. Robert Walter, Will Bernard, George Porter Jr, Billy Martin, Jennifer Hartswick, Nigel Hall, Billy Iuso, Pee Wee Ellis, etc.

Orchestra At Large

Every year since 2007 the Bear Creek Music & Art Festival has brought together a huge family of artists from around the country who are steeped in the underground funk scene. This festival prides itself in having more sit-ins than any other festival and this is encouraged by having several Artists At Large that roam around the festival, jumping in and playing with as many different acts as they can.

In 2012, the Artists At Large included Alecia Chakour, Andrew Block, The Atlanta Funk Society Horns, Billy Iuso, Freekbass, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman, Michelle Sarah, Pee Wee Ellis, Robert Walter, Roosevelt Collier and Will Bernard. The Orchestra At Large set, an annual tradition begun in 2011, gives all of these artists, plus others, the chance to really come together and play in unique formats. For 2012, the Orchestra At Large set took place at 12:30pm on Sunday morning at the Big IV Amphitheatre. While most festival-goer’s were not quite up and out of their tents yet, I was able to capture most of the set with 2 video cameras for your viewing pleasure.

Nigel Hall & George Porter Jr

It was truly a pleasure to see the once in a lifetime rhythm section of George Porter Jr & Billy Martin. Other highlights included Jennifer Hartswick belting out Led Zeppelin‘s Whole Lotta Love over a psychedelic haze of guitar fuzz, Michelle Sarah showing her vocal chops on a cover of Bill Withers‘ hit When I’m Kissing My Love, as well as the interplay, respect, and love between George Porter Jr & Nigel Hall during their cover of Billy Preston‘s Will It Go Round In Circles. ENJOY THE ENTIRE SET BELOW IN 6 PARTS:

PART 1:
Song 01. Play It Back [Robert Walter] (Robert Walter, Billy Martin, George Porter Jr, Will Bernard, Billy Iuso, Andrew Block, Pee Wee Ellis, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman & The Atlanta Funk Society Horns)
Song 02. Zig Zag [Pee Wee Ellis] (Robert Walter, Billy Martin, George Porter Jr, Will Bernard, Billy Iuso, Andrew Block, Pee Wee Ellis, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman & The Atlanta Funk Society Horns)

PART 2:
Song 03. Whole Lotta Love [Led Zeppelin] (Jennifer Hartswick, Freekbass, Robert Walter, Billy Martin, Will Bernard, Billy Iuso, Andrew Block, Pee Wee Ellis, Natalie Cressman & The Atlanta Funk Society Horns)

PART 3:
Song 04. Love Having You Around [Stevie Wonder] (Nigel Hall, Alecia Chakour, Freekbass, Nikki Glaspie, Robert Walter, Will Bernard, Billy Iuso, Andrew Block, Pee Wee Ellis, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman & The Atlanta Funk Society Horns)
Song 05. Will It Go Round In Circles [Billy Preston] (Nigel Hall, Roosevelt Collier, George Porter Jr, Nikki Glaspie, Will Bernard, Andrew Block, Pee Wee Ellis, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman & The Atlanta Funk Society Horns)

PART 4:
Song 06. Trippin Over Dragons [Billy Iuso] (Billy Iuso, Freekbass, Nikki Glaspie, Robert Walter, Will Bernard, Pee Wee Ellis, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman & The Atlanta Funk Society Horns)

PART 5:
Song 07. When I’m Kissing My Love [Bill Withers] (Michelle Sarah, Roosevelt Collier, George Porter Jr, Derrick Freeman, Wil Blades, Will Bernard, Andrew Block, Pee Wee Ellis, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman & The Atlanta Funk Society Horns)

PART 6: (shot by CHeeSeHeaDPRoDuCTioNS)
Song 08. He Bite Me (The Dragon) [The Meters] (George Porter Jr, Roosevelt Collier, Terrence Houston, Robert Walter, Billy Iuso, Will Bernard, Skerik & Pee Wee Ellis)

George Porter Jr & Billy Martin

Dumpstaphunk closes out Jazz Festival 2012 with The Neville Brothers and Ani DiFranco

Since 2006 Dumpstaphunk has closed out Jazz Fest at Tipitina’s every year on Sunday night of the 2nd weekend. Sadly, 2012 will be the last year of that tradition (per Ivan Neville‘s remarks at this show). 2012 also marks The Neville Brothers‘ “Farewell Tour”. Although no official statement has been made, their recent Hollywood Bowl performance was billed as “The Farewell Tour”, whatever that means.

This all makes this surprise appearance by the brothers even more historic as it is likely the very last time all 4 Neville Brothers will perform together inside this legendary club. Their last performances at Tip’s were in 2004 and 2003, and before that it was 1993.

When all 4 Neville Brothers (Art Neville, Aaron Neville, Charles Neville & Cyril Neville) came out and took over most of Dumpstaphunk’s first set, I was on hand to record it for posterity. With additional video from photographer extraordinaire John “Nunu” Zomot, and an audio recording by CosmicSoul420, you can enjoy the entire six song, 33 minute performance right here.

Keep in mind that this was Art “Poppa Funk” Neville’s fourth performance in 24 hours! The night before he tore it up with The Original Meters at the Howlin’ Wolf. And earlier on this day he played the Jazz & Heritage Festival with The Funky Meters at 2pm and then closed out the Festival with The Neville Brothers till 7pm. Not bad for “74 fuckin’ years old”.

Dumpstaphunk with The Neville Brothers
May 6, 2012 – New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s
Brother Jake, Hercules, Healing Chant, Fever, Mojo Hannah (with James “Hutch” Hutchinson), Shake Your Tambourine (with Mean Willie Green):

Also, early in the second set, Dumpstaphunk invited out Ani DiFranco for this slightly altered Bill Withers cover.

Dumpstaphunk with Ani DiFranco
May 6, 2012 – New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s
Who Is (S)he and What Is (S)he To You (Bill Withers cover):

P.S. If you have time, listen to the recording of the 2007 Dumpstaphunk Tipitina’s performance, which I consider a passing of the torch from The Meters to Dumpstaphunk, as 3 of the 4 original Meters are on hand as guests.

Jazz Fest 2012: Galactic members spread across the city for various side projects

One of the great things about New Orleans during Jazz Festival is that different musicians that rarely play together form special super groups. Today I’d like to feature 3 such super groups, all of which feature members of New Orleans’ own Galactic.

First up is Good Enough For Good Times, which features Jeff Raines on guitar and Robert Mercurio on bass, both members of Galactic. In addition, an up and coming drummer that you want to know about, Simon Lott. And rounding out this Meters-esque quartet is Chris Spies on organ. On this night they were joined by guest saxophonist Lucas Ellman (the younger brother of Galactic’s own Ben Ellman). Check ’em out:

Good Enough For Good Times
May 3, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Maison
Hey! Last Minute (Meters cover):

Good Enough For Good Times
May 3, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Maison
unknown tune #1:

Good Enough For Good Times with Lucas Ellman
May 3, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Maison
Jack Rabbit (Greyboy Allstars cover):

Good Enough For Good Times with Lucas Ellman
May 3, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Maison
Play It Back (Dr. Lonnnie Smith cover):

Good Enough For Good Times with Lucas Ellman
May 3, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Maison
Play It Back (Dr. Lonnnie Smith cover) (continued):

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Next up is Garage A Trois, which, as many of you already know, consider New Orleans their homebase. Their early show at One Eyed Jack’s on Friday of the second weekend has become a tradition for many. This year it was hosted by our friends at Live Music Blog NOLA.

Below you will find a few videos I was able to capture. Although I will admit that the songs I happened to shoot are rather tame compared to some of the other stuff they got into this night (including a punk-rock version of Ween‘s “It’s Gonna Be A Long Night” and an extended “iPhone/Android rap”, both led by Mike Dillon, and both of which I captured with my eyes but not my camera.)

Garage A Trois
May 4, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
Electric Door Bell Machine:

Garage A Trois
May 4, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
Dugout:

Garage A Trois
May 4, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
Assault On Precinct 13:

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The last super group I want to feature is Dragon Smoke. It consists of Ivan Neville, Stanton Moore, Robert Mercurio and Eric Lindell. This group, put together by Boom Boom Room Presents, began as a Tuesday night tradition in 2003 at the Dragon’s Den, moving to the Blue Nile in 2006 and to One Eyed Jack’s in 2009. Every Tuesday between 1st and 2nd weekend of Jazz Fest you can find these four musicians catering to the locals and any other hardcore fester’s that make it down for the full 10 days of debauchery.

These videos of Dragon Smoke were shot by the incomparable Marc Millman. Check out his photos from this show and more more of his Dragon Smoke videos.

Dragon Smoke
May 1, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
Jet Airliner (Steve Miller Band cover):

Dragon Smoke
May 1, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
Valerie (The Zutons / Amy Winehouse cover) – Be Thankful For What You Got (William DeVaughn cover):

Dragon Smoke
May 1, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
Padlock:

Dragon Smoke
May 1, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
If Love Can’t Find A Way:

Dragon Smoke
May 1, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
Grandma’s Hands (Bill Withers cover):

Dragon Smoke
May 1, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
Hercules (Aaron Neville cover):

Dragon Smoke
May 1, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
Country Livin’:

Dragon Smoke
May 1, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jack’s
Lullaby for Mercy Ann:

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