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August 12
Soul to Soul (Benefit or the New Orleans' Musicians Clinic): Wild Magnolia Mardi Gras Indians, Irma Thomas, Hot 8 Brass Band, and the Movers and Shakers – Central Park Summerstage 3PM $30 suggested donation On a beautiful day like today what could be better than checking out some of New Orleans’ finest in Central Park. Today’s show, the second annual “Soul to Soul” concert, benefits musicians affected by Katrina. The headliners are the first recording stars of all of the celebrated Mardi Gras Indian tribes, Wild Magnolia Mardi Gras Indians with Big Chief Bo Dollis. Since recording the classic 45 "Handa Wanda” (1&2) in 1970, and the 1973 LP Two-Way Pak-E-Way (including the immortal “Smoke My Peace Pipe” and featuring everyone from Willy Tee to Snooks Eaglin to Julius Farmer), Dollis’ powerful leads over the band’s unique get-down mixture of second-line percussion and Crescent City funk, while legendary, is something you just don't see every day around these parts.
The true highlight however is one of my absolute favorite vocalists of all-time, the incomparable “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” Irma Thomas. If you don't know Irma as well as you should, she’s the one whose original “Time Is On My Side” smoked the Stones’ admirable cover, and whose “Ruler of My Heart” eclipses the immortal Otis Redding’s masterful rip-off, “Pain in My Heart.” Of course the hits don’t stop there. Irma’s finest performances can stand up to any soul artist out there: tender tunes like my personal favorite, “It’s Raining” (“drip drop drip drop”), or “Two Winters Long” and “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is,” or rockers like “Breakaway” and “Done Got Over It.” Her phrasing, pacing, and overall vocal aesthetic when combined with her soul, wide range, and control are unparalleled and I can’t believe that there she's not more widely considered the absolute finest pop singer of all-time (I know, I'm goin' for it... but seriously, who could take her at her best?). Anyhow, I saw her about a decade back and she still had it and I suggest you go get it now while, more than forty years down the road, it’s still hot! Finally, a relatively new Big Easy institution, the Hot 8 Brass Band (a decade of existence ain’t nothin’ in NO time), who sticks to the finer traditions of their city’s finer celebrations, will be making you sweat early. Some of the best music ever. Rare treats. A good cause. A beautiful day. What’ve ya got to lose? Also, there's a gazillion great things to do indoors and out. Just look below...
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