| May 13, 2007 | Shows | Recipe Calendar | Archives |
 Returning from New Orleans on Tuesday, we were surprised to find ourselves in warm spring here. I've been in Augusta each day since then meeting a project deadline. Melissa went for a walk on Connor Mill Trail and got these photos. Trout lillies (above) also known as dogtooth violets cover big swaths. The red one is a trillium, the big white one is a bloodroot, the third is Dutchman's britches. 
The May Mix is heavy into things we heard or acquired on the Jazzfest trip. Several funky brass bands including Bonerama and Stooges. Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes were rained out (we were rocking in the Gospel Tent during the storm; "standing in the safety zone" took on new meaning), but I acquired a CD from Bob of Ida and Bob who writes down the names of songs he likes while listening to WWOZ in his truck. Yes! We need more of that. Pay attention, people. Pine Leaf Boys were awesome. John Boutte singing City of New Orleans made us cry. Lucinda did a great set. In Lafayette we heard Zachary Richard with Francis Cabrel. The crowd was singing along on some famous song by Cabrel. Makes you realize just how French Lafayette is. The mix goes from New Orleans stuff to yankee folk music then back to New Orleans.
Food wise at the fest I have to say that Prejean's pheasant quail andouille gumbo was the best, especially when followed by bread pudding with pecan sauce. Cochon de lait po-boys were also great. Many cups of cafe au lait. And after seeing the Femme Femme Femme show at NOMA, a cappucino and florentines at newly reopened Brocato's. A handy place around the corner from my sister's house is Puccino's which could be a New Orleans franchise: wireless and grits! The swamp photos in the first slide show are from a boat ride in the Atchafalaya Basin at Henderson. Along the levee road there are all these "landings" with a boat launch, a restaurant and houseboats for rent. After the ride we ate catfish on the deck at McGee's Landing. The cypress swamp is simply magnificent. Listening to In Tune By Ten this morning, it seems just a little bland after the full bodied Louisiana stuff. In the Putumayo catalog in which continents and countries have a page, Louisiana has its own page. Musically it's just a different universe. I asked friends there if they had ever heard of Amos Lee or Ray Lamontagne. No one had, but several people recommended Paul Soniat; he is a local treasure. Next year I plan to totally fest on the weekends and go to the beach between them. |