The Monthly Installment of Fun!!!       

September 23, 2014

Had a great reunion with ex-fellow Houstonian (she is still one, I am the ex-), Ruth Sosa Bailey!  (see pix below and to the right)

I missed her daughter, Elizabeth, who had to get back home and back to work at St. Arnold's Brewery!  Wow!  I used to love that stuff--knew Brock & his partner (who left) from my pal, Karen Crawford...

Met up with her and her gang, British subjects Danny & Antony (on a World-Circumnavigation Road Trip), and brought them to Sylvain, one of my fave spots where barkeep Ellie knew me from Sidney Smith's house parties whereat I used to play when she was a kid!!!!  Cooool!

She and her fellow bartendress, Lucy turned the Bourbon-loving gents on to a special stash from Maker's Mark--they had just come back from a Kentucky Bourbon Tour!

Looked on everybody's favorite radio station wwoz.org website and noticed on the Music Calendar that Kermit Ruffins was scheduled to play at Bullet's Sports Bar for 6:00 p.m.  Hopped in a cab and got a kooky character for our driver:

We arrived just as Kermit drove up, and got to say a quick hello.  The place was already jam-packed, but a friendly couple, Nicole and Sam from Los Angeles shared their table with us:

Kermit started about 10 minutes to 8:00, and the T.V. was turned from Derek Jeter (soon to retire) to the premiere of the series being filmed here, NCIS-New Orleans.  I had no intention of ever watching it, but even with the sound turned down, I got hooked on it!  It looked pretty dumb!!!  I do like Scott Bakula (sp?) so I may be able to tolerate it...

Heading home through the French Quarter, caught them filming a night-time parade (I'm guessing for Halloween episode) for aforementioned TV-show: (see all pix to the right)

Hopefully, the effect will be different on-screen, but all the various elements of all of the different celebrations looked a little bit too much Disneyland-ish even for me.

Ruth is a doll and just enough Disneyland for me!  She hasn't lost any of her sweet spirit over the years, au contraire!  it seems to have increased!  Come back soon!

September 21, 2014

Orange Beach, Alabama

M. & I hit the beach in front of the Sleep Inn (we did!) a little over three hours from home (see more pix to the right):

Listened to the Saints-Vikings game on the radio, then watched the end on TV:

A Saints Win at first Dome Home Game!

M.

Had been beaching-it at Ft. Walton Beach, Florida the past several years, but decided to try something a little closer.  The water wasn't as azure blue, but still clear and NICE!

Good eats & ambience at Gulf restaurant just down the road overlooking the channel from Terry Cove to The Gulf of Mexico:



Lovely watching the sun rise, with cool temps:

Shortly after I took these pix, spied a dolphin fin (close to shore), dipping in and out, slowly heading out...

Pelicans in afternoon formation

Made friends with a fly during a backgammon game (guess that trip to the Insectarium paid off!):

Ate at Shipp (as in the owners' name) Harbour Grill on the Cove.  The menu looked interesting with lots of variety and a good view:

Celebrated the last day of Summer by getting a sunburn!   Loved it!!!

September 20, 2014

Birthday Fun

M.'s Grandmother, Viva Broussard, turned 97 today...still in good spirits over there in Calcasieu Parish, Sulphur, LA.  Said she'd heard from a lot of folks she hadn't talked with in a while:  I guess that's what momentous occasions are for! 

God Bless you, Dear Heart, for helping to create such a great grandson and for giving him the inspiration to chose the culinary arts as his livlihood so that now I have my own Personal Chef!

And thank you for all your prayers and love, and for giving me the name of Sweet Pea back when we first met...love you muches and bunches!!!

Erica Dudas celebrated her birthday with a Fete at the Bultman swimming pool that night...

Her actual day was the day before so we did not get to do the candles/song bit.  Celebrities were in attendance so that made up for it:

Queen Cherise & Erica

Always great to soak up the vibes where Tennessee Williams wrote Suddenly Last Summer (in 1958) up in his 3rd floor apartment, while staying at his friend, painter Fritz Bultman's (Bethany B.'s grandfather-in-law) family home.

Looking in to the "Green Room" from the front drive

September 19, 2014

Lips & The Trips

Fairgrinds Coffeehouse

Played our "usual" (weather permitting) 3rd Friday of the Month gig at this venerable n'hood spot.  Felt like I was carrying on the Sacred Trust passed on by Cosimo Matassa...

Peter Hickman once again graced us with him and his buds post-Swirl Wine Tasting and they all helped out on percussion:

The Explosive Percussion Gang

Regina Sotts was nice enough to snap our pic in front of our new sign, brought by Lady Di, (from Ye Ole Gemini Party last June):

Mark Fowler, Creature, Lips

Thanks be to The Trips and M. for his roadie-ing!  xoxox

September 16, 2014

Cosimo Matassa's Funeral

Was allowed to leave work in order to ride out to Lakelawn in Metairie to pay my respects to the man who gave life to so many artists, so much sound, and happiness to the world!  A modest man whose legacy was eulogized in Keith Spera's article (see to the right).

The funeral service was modest, despite the New Orleans Musical Royalty in attendance:  Dave Bartholomew, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson (who sat next to me!)-- and those are just the ones I recognized!

Msgr. Christopher Nalty (his Dad's legal secretary was Cosimo's daughter-in-law, Stephanie) from St. Stephen's presided and he emphasized that we were saying good-bye, not "praising" Mr. Matassa. 

Only one person got up and talked about him and he emphasized it was about his legacy, not him as a person, that we were "tributing."  There was no brass band, no second line, just a "dignified" Italian Catholic funeral service with a woman soloist accompanied by keys the only music... 

Msgr. talked of how music is the connection and when he was away from New Orleans and missed it, he would listen to the recording, "Professors, Doctors, Queens and Kings" ("some of you may have heard it," he said, "and some of you may be on it.")  How due to Cosimo's work, we were able to share this.  That he wouldn't want a euology.  That we serve each other, as Christians: 

Cosimo's generosity was emphasized, and how he would do work gratis--as in the case of the recording for St. Joseph's Abbey. 

How this is not our home, how we are called elsewhere.  How we are resurrected into a new life and enter into the rest of the Eternal...

Seemed to be too much rest and peace, however, and Armand and Patty afterwards were ready, as I was, for a musical tribute, for a get-together to hear this music he created, and by some of the folks who created it... like when Eddie Bo passed, or Antoinette K-Doe, so we could get together, so we could talk about what he meant to us. 

Got to get a hug from Lady Di, who had been friends with Cosimo's nephew, Dominic. 

On my bike ride home, still was hankering for some connection and the rain drove me into Mandina's on Canal Street.  Their Happy Hour featured $2.75 NOLA Brewing Rebirth pints:

and there I ran into some folks that knew Mr. Matassa... a Richard Schmidtt, who also sold Fats Domino his 1969 Marquis:

And a woman who had been at the Beatles Concert 50 years ago and had been intereviewed for a spot on WWL-TV news (her Dad grew up with Cosimo in the Quarter.)

She and her friends were all there:

and were having dinner before going to the Beatles Tribute Concert at the same spot, Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park. 

We watched her interview on TV and I snapped some cool pix:

She and her friends were 15 years old and she was told by her father not to leave her seat.   These kids did not listen to their parents:

Clarence "Frogman" Henry opened the show:

And looks like they were having a big time with Fats Domino as well:

...The British invasion, spearheaded by the Beatles, while admiring through imitation, really "cut into" the R'n'B Music Scene... 

For someone that lived music, I was expecting a bit more music, but we know that you will R.I.P. Mr. Matassa!!!!  Your deeds have helped you get to a good spot, I am sure--and your glory lives on in your recordings.  We are glad that you took up the banner and enriched our lives with all that great music!!!  Thank you and God Bless you and yours!!!

September 13, 2014

Preservation Resource Center's Sellabration

A cornucopia of info re: buying/renovating an historic home, living in your kind of neighborhood with lenders, real estate agents, and n'hood associations all gathering at the Preservation Resource Center's Center, 923 Tchoupitolas Street.  Hadn't been there since they opened (2000!!!)  Saw Executive Director Patty Gay and thanked her for her coninuining work preserving all the goodness here, and her guy, George Schmidt, who is goodness himself!

Ran into Faubourg St. John N'Hood Association's President (my guitarist's wife's nephew) and his gal Winter, and we were getting excited about going on TV to advert the Voodoo on the Bayou coming up October 25th! Woohoo!!! 

Met a real estate agent and saw a pic of a small home with a large yard that I went by to view.  The 'hood was a bit rough for me and not enough shade trees around...spied a spot in our 'hood also fitting the bill, but a bit pricey!  Will keep looking and dreaming!

September 11, 2014

Neal Auction House Preview

Maria & I went to check out the historic items for sale at Neal's on Magazine Street.  Hadn't been around there in many moons.  Enjoyed checking out a bit of history.  They had some nice paintings, Newcomb Pottery on sale

and an old pirate's chest.  Nice!  Then Maria bought me some pretty tasty chow at Le Petite Grocery down the block.  She had her fave-drink, The Bee's Knees:

and I had another sparkling (one of the beverages of choice at the Auction Preview). 

Used to frequent the n'hood when the Gipsons lived above where Mona's is now (was a Mexican restaurant then) when I first came to visit, Mardi Gras 1983.  Ah, the Good Ole Days...

Ruth Bailey & Buds:

on Jackson Square

And at Sylvain on Chartres:

Lips & Ruth

I recently discovered Sylvain's champagne cocktail: prosecco with a lavender-infused sugar cube at the bottom and a lemon twist on top, and had to turn Ruth on to one.

Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers at Bullet's:

with woman from Japan tearing it up on trombone.  Later, she was joined by another young female trumpet player, just flew in from Tokyo!  Kermit is all about putting people up there--he had Miss Brittany who was an American Idol contestant sing as well. 

I remember seeing Trisha "Sista Teedy!" Boutte sit in with him back in 2000-ish at Joe's Cozy Corner when he used to hold court there on Sundays. 

Danny had never seen a cigarette machine!!!!

There were a few choices of food vendors curbside and they checked out (one of my faves) the grilled oysters:

The guys got a hot tip on heading to the Maple Leaf for Rebirth's Tuesday night, and I knew I had to head home before I got caught up in all of the FUN!

Loved seeing Ruth and meeting her Buds, even if they did try to chug Buds, like on T.V.:

Filming NCIS-New Orleans on St. Ann St. in the French Quarter:

Orange Beach, Alabama, 9/21/14:

Balcony View

M.

The Gulf Restaurant:

watching the boats

& the kiddles frolicking in the sand

M. had the Grouper Salad:

and me, I had a Dale's Pale Ale:

Dawn's First Light:

Another time I wish I was a painter sparkly

Super

Shipp Harbour Grill:

Afterwards, walked out on the pier and caught the sunset:



Another pic by Regina

Keith Spera, nola.com, Times-Picayune:

"Cosimo Matassa, the New Orleans studio owner and recording engineer who helped craft timeless recordings by Fats Domino, Little Richard, Irma Thomas, Professor Longhair, Lee Dorsey, Lloyd Price, Aaron Neville, Dr. John and many others, died Thursday (Sept. 11) at Ochsner Medical Center. He was 88.

The sound created by Domino, producer Dave Bartholomew and Mr. Matassa at J&M Recording on North Rampart Street staked New Orleans' claim as the birthplace not just of jazz, but of rock 'n' roll as well.

'Cosimo was the doorway and window to the world for us musicians in New Orleans,' Allen Toussaint said Thursday. 'An expert, with a lot of heart and soul. When the Beatles heard Fats Domino, they heard him via Cosimo Matassa. He touched the whole world.'

In recent years, Mr. Matassa received national recognition for his contributions to the development of rock 'n' roll and recording techniques. The Recording Academy honored him with its prestigious Trustees Award in 2007. In 2012, he was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer.  

'He played an essential role in the birth of rock and roll,' said Dr. Lauren Onkey, the vice president of education and public programs for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. 'The songs he recorded revolutionized our music and our culture. He was a generous soul who had an incredible impact.'

Mr. Matassa initially set out to earn a chemistry degree from Tulane University, but soon decided he wasn't cut out to be a chemist. In 1945, he opened his first studio, J&M Recording, in the back of his family's record and appliance store at the corner of North Rampart and Dumaine streets in the French Quarter.

It hardly seemed like the setting for a musical revolution. Upstairs, bookies ran a horse-betting operation. In the alley outside, a shoeshine man plied his trade. But Mr. Matassa engineered sessions featuring some of the biggest stars of the day, maximizing the sonic potential of relatively primitive recording gear.

J&M became the New Orleans equivalent of the historic Sun Studios in Memphis, Tenn. In 1947, singer Roy Brown recorded the influential "Good Rockin' Tonight," the song credited with popularizing the term "rockin,'" at J&M. Two years later, Fats Domino, then an unknown 21-year-old rhythm & blues pianist, and Dave Bartholomew, an established jazz bandleader and aspiring record producer, first communed there.

On Dec. 10, 1949 in J&M's tiny back room, Domino cut eight songs, including his first commercially released single, "The Fat Man," under the watchful eyes and ears of Bartholomew and Mr. Matassa.

'We felt good about it,' Bartholomew said decades after that session. 'Cosimo had gotten a pretty good sound out of what he had.'

Domino would record most of his classic hits in studios owned by Mr. Matassa.  

A 16-year-old Jerry Lee Lewis took the bus from his home in Ferriday to make his first demo recording at J&M.

Little Richard recorded his smash "Tutti Frutti" there with a band of New Orleanians backing him.

Professor Longhair recorded "Tipitina" and "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" in the same room. Shirley and Lee, Smiley Lewis, Ray Charles, Bobby Charles, The Spiders, Big Joe Turner and many others also worked at the original J&M location.

Ray Charles recorded there while based in New Orleans in the 1950s. Aaron Neville's "Tell It Like It Is," Frankie Ford's "Sea Cruise," Al Johnson's "Carnival Time," Clarence "Frogman" Henry's "Ain't Got No Home" -- all were made with Mr. Matassa.

At age 15, Toussaint and guitarist Snooks Eaglin showed up at J&M to audition a song for Bartholomew. The audition was unsuccessful, but Toussaint was thrilled to meet Bartholomew at J&M. 'For me to see Dave Bartholomew, and to be in that studio, it didn't get better than that,' Toussaint said. 'It took me days to get over the shock.'

When the studio wasn't busy, Mr. Matassa would allow the young Toussaint to play J&M's grand piano. 'That was the first grand piano that I touched,' Toussaint said. 'That was a whole other ball game.'

Toussaint grew up to become one of New Orleans' most successful and prolific songwriters and producers – and one of Mr. Matassa's best customers. After Mr. Matassa relocated his studio to Gov. Nicholls Street in 1955, Toussaint produced scores of classic recordings there, including Ernie K-Doe's classic "Mother-in-Law" and most of Irma Thomas' Minit Records output, including "It's Raining." Toussaint also recorded his own "Wild Sounds of New Orleans" album there.

Practical concerns partially accounted for the popularity of Mr. Matassa's studio. 'His prices were reasonable,' said Thomas, who had recorded at Mr. Matassa's original J&M Music as a 13-year-old with her McDonough 41 classmates. 'And at that time, Cosimo's was one of the few studios that was up to date with equipment.'

Gear and pricing aside, Mr. Matassa facilitated recording sessions in such a way as to put singers and musicians at ease. 

'He didn't make you feel like he knew it all,' Thomas said. 'He was open to trying new things. He was easy to work with. He made you feel comfortable.

'And for someone who didn't play an instrument, he had a keen ear. He knew when it didn't sound right.'

In 2012, Mr. Matassa explained his recording philosophy to the Huffington Post. 'I wanted to be a just conduit of what that performance was – a performance frozen in time, if you will. So if you didn't know I was there, I did my job.'

When Mr. Matassa moved his studio to Camp Street, Toussaint followed, recording "Freedom for the Stallion" and other Lee Dorsey hits there.

After Mr. Matassa closed the Camp Street facility and got out of the recording business, Toussaint and his business partner Marshall Sehorn built their own Sea-Saint Studio in Gentilly. 'If Cosimo had not closed his studio, we would not have built Sea-Saint,' Toussaint said. 'We would have followed him (to another studio). We were satisfied and happy to be about Cosimo.'

The site of that original studio at 838 N. Rampart St. is now the home of Hula Mae's Tropic Wash laundry. The maroon and beige tile on the threshold still reads "J&M Music Shop," as it did in 1949. The recording studio was in the southwest corner of the building, an area now occupied by clothes dryers.

In 1999, on the 50^th anniversary of Domino's first recording, New Orleans declared the building an historic landmark. In 2010, the building was designated a Rock and Roll Landmark. When rock 'n' Roll was in its infancy, 'the baby got rocked right here in this building,'  Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Museum president Terry Stewart said at the dedication.

'All the great musicians made me look good,' Mr. Matassa said in 2012. 'I couldn't have done any of those records if the guys sitting in the chairs didn't do them. So first and foremost, credit to them. I tried my damnedest to make them sound good.'

After he got out of the recording business, Mr. Matassa was a fixture at Matassa's Market, the French Quarter grocery and delicatessen owned by two of his sons. He handled the books, but also held court for a steady stream of friends and admirers. His wife of more than six decades, Jennie, died in 2009.

He was in and out of the hospital in recent months as his health declined. Dave Bartholomew and his son Don, a producer and rapper, visited Mr. Matassa in the hospital on Sept. 10. Friends for more than 60 years, the elder Bartholomew and Mr. Matassa were able to share some final moments together.

'He was one of the greatest friends I had, and one of the best in the music industry in New Orleans,' Dave Bartholomew said Thursday. 'He was always there for me. I always had him in my corner.

'You always could depend on him, and not just music. He was one of the greatest people to recognize the talent in New Orleans, and make the world know it.'

Survivors include three sons, John, Michael and Louis Matassa; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren."