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:

The Original Meters & Papa Grows Funk – May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf

When you’re in New Orleans for Jazz Fest, there’s nothing like catching a Funky Meters show to reassure you that you’re in the right place at the right time. But, as we know, the Funky Meters only contain 2 of the original Meters band members, namely Art “Poppa Funk” Neville and George Porter, Jr.

That’s why the 2012 Jazz Fest became so exciting when it was announced that all 4 of the Original Meters would be playing their first club gig in New Orleans in over 30 years! Yes, we’re talking about all 4 original members: Art “Poppa Funk” Neville on organ, George Porter, Jr. on bass, Leo Nocentelli on guitar and Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste on drums.

Yes, these 4 original Meters members have reunited sporadically for shows in 2005, 2006 and 2007 (and for a few festival gigs in 2011). Yes, they’ve played New Orleans before. But this felt like the real homecoming. The price was steep, but for the few that could get in, it was worth every penny. Art showed that he can still play ferociously, despite his age of, in his words,“74 fuckin years old”. Although Zigaboo did joke about the senior citizen status of the band, they hardly played like it. Judge for yourself, because here I bring you 47 minutes of footage from this now legendary show.

The Original Meters
May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
Fire On The Bayou, Africa > Look-Ka Py Py > Funky Miracle, Encore: People Say:

Also, here is the set closing Ain’t No Use, shot by photographer Marc Millman. I strongly suggest that you check out some of his photos from this show and even consider purchasing framable prints of his beautiful imagery.

By the way, you can download the full audio from this show here.

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Finally, here are a few videos of the opening act, Papa Grows Funk, featuring Raymond Weber (ex-Dumpstaphunk drummer) subbing on drums.

Papa Grows Funk
May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
Shakin’:

Papa Grows Funk
May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
Planet of Love & Hate:

Papa Grows Funk
May 5, 2012 New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
unknown tune:

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