JazzFest 2d Saturday: Another Auspicious Aaron Moment

Posted: May 2nd, 2010 | Filed under: Culture, Music, Ruminations | No Comments »

I must start with a mini personal inventory.

For years I came down to JazzFest alone, usually staying with an old college pal, but we mostly went our own way at the festival. Then I’d go home and rave on about what an amazing event this is , kind of lording it over anybody who would listen. Not a very admirable character trait, but I’ve got to own it.

Then I’d come back the next year . . . alone, never inviting any pals to join me.

One year in the early 90s, after Linda Ronstadt had provided exposure to the incredible voice that belongs to Aaron Neville, he sang a set in one of the festival’s smaller tents with just Amasa Miller supporting on piano. Neville’s singing was beauteous beyond belief.

And I had nobody with whom to share the moment. I vowed it wouldn’t happen again. It hasn’t.

Years later, there’s now Da Cultcha Maven’s Krewe, my egoistic reference to the friends that join me every year. Plus Joanie, the Film Babe, who loves JazzFest.

She and I and my pals Dennis & Judy were in the Gospel Tent today for Aaron Neville. It was indeed a spiritual moment. “Stand By Me,” “If I Had A Hammer,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” dedicated to the city of New Orleans, “Oh Mary, Don’t You Weep,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “When The Saints Go Marching In,” a spiritual long ago trite now back in favor with the Super Bowl W by the home boys, “Amazing Grace,” “I Saw The Light/ Down By The Riverside,” and a couple of others with which I’m less familiar.

When the set was complete, I was sated. Still a day and a half of the festival to go, assuming predicted monsoons don’t totally dampen our resolve, and I knew everything else was gravy. Including Van Morrison tomorrow, right before the entire Neville Brothers Band closes the fest on the big stage per tradition.

What a magical and satisfying set of music in the Gospel Tent. Especially with friends and loved ones to share it with.

* * * * *

The day wasn’t over, but I’d hit the wall.

The Pinstripe Brass Band did a nifty horn-infused version of “Stand By Me.”

Sagbohan Danialou from Benin was mighty sublime at the Jazz & Heritage Stage.

The Johnson Extension proved that four generations of gospel inspiration can be righteously electrifying.

I’d forgotten how incredible Jeff Beck is on the six string. Arguably the best. Standing in front of his Marshall,wearing white boots and a silver bicep bracelet, Beck proved his mettle on such diverse fair as “Rollin’ and Tumbln’,” “People Get Ready,” and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” His tones are pitch perfect and resonant. Despite his propensity to shred the surrounding landscape, his playing was impeccable, raucous at times, tender at others and never over indulgent, tasteful.

What a treat. Plus it fit in a new category: Music To Read The New Yorker By. Which is what a lady in front of us was doing while Beck was trying to part the clouds with his playing, and coming closer than you’d ever imagine.

* * * * *

Other than transcending to another plane during Aaron Neville’s set, my favorite moment came during Henry Butler’s piano artistry, our first stop of the day.

Butler shouted, “Can I get an amen?”

To which, Joanie the Film Babe echoed, “Can I get a po boy?”

Off we went for some lunch.

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