Last week in New Orleans, I ran into the magnificent Ruby James and arranged a visit to the Music Box with her the next afternoon. Interesting place - living breathing art on a lot that formerly had a house on it which imploded in the late 90s. The material, brick, stone, wood and such, was repurposed to construct the mini buildings. Each building makes sound, and is a musical instrument, defying logic or expectation. Street Artist, Swoon is the impetus behind this new project which brings a whole new meaning to 'touching music.' The Music Box: A Shantytown Sound Laboratory is a remarkable offering. And trotting through the Bywater neighborhood, seeing how many artist are now camping out there, makes a statement about reclaiming communities and about planting seeds that will grow. The artists come first, don’t they? You have to see these pictures! This space has had three major performances where musicians have gathered to "play" the structural instruments. The final performance at the Music Box takes place on December 10, 2011. Also, it is open to the public on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 12-5, at 1027 Piety Street, New Orleans. I recommend a visit if you are in The Big Easy.

I don’t care what the artist crafts his work out of; I just so appreciate what that is. Whether it has physical manifestation, or is word craft and burns deep in one’s brain. Today we bring you a master wordsmith. JD Souther put a new record out earlier this year, stripping things down to the core. It is called Natural History.  It includes a few deep tunes from his rich catalog, one brand new one, and mega hits that are burned into your synapses like “You’re Only Lonely,” “Faithless Love,” “The Best of My Love,” “The Sad Café,” and “New Kid in Town.” JD Souther will be on WXPN’s World Café stage this Friday at noon (eastern) for Free At Noon, listen on line from anywhere. “Go Ahead And Rain,” was originally found on the 1984 Home At Dawn album. There is a period piece video here: ours was filmed in October during the Fall Music Fog Marathon at Marathon Recorders in Nashville.

-Jessie Scott