May 2 - Patti Smith, Poetic Punk

by staff writer K. Matthew Correa

(photo courtesy of writer - and what it lacks in proximity to Patti Smith, it makes up for in enthusiastic, rain-soaked spirit !!)

The self-proclaimed “Godmother of Punk” performed as a headlining act at Jazzfest last Thursday, performing on the Gentilly Stage. At age 66, Patti Smith has made a name for herself as one of the more literate poets to emerge from the music scene, earning acclaim for her influential debut album “Horses” in 1975. Kicking off her set with her classic tune “Redondo Beach,” Smith showed her audience just how much energy she still possessed after all these years. Her voice was consistently resonant, and her attitude unhinged. She and her backing band were on-point, glorifying a unique chemistry that few bands can accomplish during a live performance. All around, the crowd shivered, from either the chills of the torrential downpour or Patti’s fierce, charismatic energy. Her versatility sent her musical direction between fierce rocking numbers and warm ballads. The audience eagerly sung along to her most popular song “Because the Night,” but they couldn’t drown out her own impassioned wail. She may have run through her setlist a bit too quickly, but that did not get in the way of a fantastic show.

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(This is from Jazz Fest Bests - a series of recaps from New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2013 by The Arcade)

An ode to The Arcade’s one true love: FRY BREAD 

by staff writer David Preda

About 200 feet in front of the Fais Do-Do stage stood a lone vendor. A banner swayed above the little stall proclaiming in bold, red letters “Fry Bread.” I could smell the sweet smell of frying dough and boiling oil wafting through the air and, having no prior knowledge of this grammatically incorrect delicacy, made my way to the stand. As I ordered, I watched the woman in front of me first glaze her fry bread with honey then dust it with powdered sugar. I followed suit immediately after receiving my order and cautiously took my first bite of fry bread. Surely this was heaven. It seems impossible now but somehow, I had once lived without fry bread in my life. The Native American treat has the fluffy deliciousness of a funnel cake with the handheld convenience of a doughnut. The dough, before being fried, is flattened by hand and shaped into a concave disc, allowing it to easily carry any toppings you choose to put on it. Although some ordered “Indian Tacos,” fry bread covered with traditional taco toppings, I preferred my fry bread slathered in honey and sugar. So, next year, be sure to look out for the fry bread stand at Jazz Fest and spread the word – perhaps fry bread could become the next big carnival food, a title the marvelous little dish deserves.

Author’s Note: ”Also that picture’s not quite quality but it was the best I could do because there was a wedding happening behind me and people were yelling ‘Mazel tov.’ It was a weird time for everyone, I think.” Hats off for trying, and mazel tov to you too, David. Mazel tov to you too.

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(This is from Jazz Fest Bests - a series of recaps from New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2013 by The Arcade)

cajunboy:

Getting one final crawfish sack of 2013 is going to require some patience. #jazzfest

The Arcade endorses all things crawfish-and-jazzfest-related. Especially those crawfish beignets mmmmmm

Yo La Tengo @ Tipitina’s Uptown (5/1/13)

We’re sorry that this review is coming late, but we at The Arcade have been doing annoying things like stuffing genetics and organic chemistry reaction mechanisms into our too-small heads. What we would rather be doing, however, is talking about Yo La Tengo’s show this past Wednesday at Tipitina’s Uptown.

Yo La Tengo is one of those bands that should never be missed live - they are abundantly talented and inventive without sacrificing their signature charm (really though, if you can find someone who dislikes Yo La Tengo, please, point us to him/her because everyone from critics to 70-year-old men at Tipitina’s to our little brother likes the band. The Arcade met some people from Florida who were seeing the band for the up-teenth time, the last time being two months ago. The band’s fans are devoted, and for good reason.) Its influences are so diverse that though it boasts jazz-style experimentation, indie rock stylings, and noise pop texures… the band transcends genres.

Yo La Tengo features Ira Kaplan on guitar, Georgia Hubley on drums, and James McNew on bass, though all are talented multi-instrumentalists and share lead vocal duty. The band eschewed an opener, instead playing two sets itself - an acoustic set to open the night and then an electric set. While the band admitted that it had reservations about the reception of a quiet acoustic set in Tipitina’s, we’re glad its self-confessed “stubborn” attitude prevailed - the venue was held in rapt attention to the solid first set that mostly included songs from the band’s new album, Fade (2013.) Standouts included lovely versions of “Ohm” and “The Point of It.” Though the album only came out this year, The Arcade felt like its songs were already old friends. It’s reductive to say, but the first set was pleasantly charismatic.

For Yo La Tengo’s second set, the band got electric. There are a lot of things we could talk about from the set - about how Hubley’s drumming had us captivated all night, or how the unexpected inclusion of “Mr Tough” had us smiling and dancing like crazy. Instead, we should probably limit ourselves to gushing over an extended version of “Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind” which lasted 20-something minutes. While the other band members were running a marathon, lead guitarist Ira Kaplan was on a full-out sprint. Our jaws were on the floor for most of the set as he spun his guitar, coaxed sounds out of it that we weren’t sure were possible. We won’t chalk it up to mere sonic experimentation, however - the performance just sounded damn good. After the almost three-hour set, as The Arcade left the venue in raptures. As we crossed the intersection of Tchoupitoulas St and Napoleon Ave., we thought of the chorus to “Ohm”:

Say goodnight to me
And lose no more time, no time
Resisting the flow

We resisted nothing, we lost no time when we were with Yo La Tengo. Even after almost three decades, the band still’s got what it takes to captivate generations.

-Steph

therealylt:

Cochon de lait at secret location.

sup yo la tengo, we see you in town. in fact we’ll see you tonight - bring a bunch of po boys and your sweet sweet tunes, we’ll bring the good vibes

side note: those are some mysterious lookin po boys ammiright.