Robert Walter brought the revamped lineup of his 20th Congress band to Bear Creek last year. Watching the dynamic collaboration unfold between Walter and New Orleans-bred drum phenom Simon Lott is nothing short of joyful; as you can see in the clips below they are loving playing together. Add to that the veteran Daptones saxophonist Cochemea Gastelum and scene newcomer Josh Perdue on guitar on bass and the funk flow gets mighty tight!
For their Friday late night set at the inside Technaflora Music Hall stage, Walter and crew got super loose with an encore of 1970’s electric-era Miles Davis covers that topped off the long day of music with a cherry on top. Below that are a few other videos from the last night set with Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds joining on guitar. Below that is a few songs from the 20th Congress’ mid-day set the next afternoon. Enjoy!
Robert Walter’s 20th Congress – Friday, November 15, 2013
Live Oak, FL @ Bear Creek Music Festival – Technaflora Music Hall
What I Say > Honky Tonk [Miles Davis covers]
Robert Walter’s 20th Congress – Friday, November 15, 2013
Live Oak, FL @ Bear Creek Music Festival – Technaflora Music Hall
Kool Is Back [Funk Inc cover] (with Chris Stillwell & Mike Dillon)
Corry’s Snail & Slug Death (with Eddie Roberts)
Funky Soul [David Batiste & The Gladiators cover] (with Eddie Roberts)
I Can’t Help It [Smokey Johnson cover]:
Robert Walter’s 20th Congress – Saturday, November 16, 2013
Live Oak, FL @ Bear Creek Music Festival – Purple Hat Stage
Corry’s Snail & Slug Death, Get Thy Bearings [Donovan cover], Dog Party, Maple Plank [Stanton Moore cover]
P.S. Check out these videos of Simon Lott with Marco Benevento & Reed Matthis back in 2009 here.
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):
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:
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.
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:
