Back in the saddle in Austin, savoring the few days in New Orleans. It has been a mighty fine run of music this last week. On Thursday in Bywater, we went to see Kermit Ruffins rip it up at the dive bar, Vaughan’s Lounge. Kermit keeps the NOLA tradition alive, mixing up R&B, Jazz and Dixieland to a joyous packed house. Friday night found us at the Dale Watson show at the legendary Rock N’ Bowl, Texas Two-Stepping with a cast of characters of every description. Dale was particularly relaxed and in fine spirits. It was great to see him in a different city. This was my first time back to Rock 'n' Bowl since they reopened on Carrollton Avenue in 2009. Good to see New Orleans having some normalcy and the hope for a better future.
Then last night, at my School Night Sessions at Threadgill’s, we were happy to welcome a song swap from Michael Fracasso and John Fullbright. What a night! Beautiful songs, beautiful voices, and a very appreciative audience. And why not? John Fullbright is biding his time, growing, writing, becoming. One day, he will be an overnight sensation. Michael has been at it since he left his native Ohio for the bohemian folk scene in New York City in 1979. In 1990, he moved to Austin, where he was able to make a home for his sophisticated yet earthy music. We filmed him at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival in May. He touched our hearts, and turned our blood to ice water with this, a mill murder ballad. It can be found on his latest CD, Saint Monday, his eighth, which came out in April. This is the Music Fog version of “Elizabeth Lee.”
-Jessie Scott
