Final Scenes From New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS -- Monday afternoon, at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, the oldest bar in America (1772) and the best on Bourbon Street, four drunken, fratty tourists were playing the jukebox. Songs by Guns N' Roses and Led Zeppelin were met with huzzahs and fist pumps.
Blondie's The Tide Is High?
Not so much.
Upon hearing the song, a young woman marched over to the machine and somehow turned it off. Maybe with a foot; maybe by pulling the plug.
There was silence...for a few seconds at least.
"You don't play that f
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
We made the trip as well and there are no words to truly describe the impact the song City of Ruins or the final tome When the Saints Go Marchin' In had on the true New Orleans natives in the crowd.The Boss played a fabulous show as did all the other acts on Saturday and Sunday... and it was good to be able to put some Florida money into the economy.Keep groovin' New Orleans!!
Posted by: Anonymous | May 03, 2006 at 01:33 AM
Agree with you on the Springsteen, Daly - they'll be talking about his performance years from now (which is probably how long it will take to rebuild the city). It was great to see the Boss cutting loose on stage and surrounded by a menagerie of different (for him) musical instruments. Made me think it might be time to retire the boys from E Street for good. It was amazing how friendly everyone was and how much they seemed to appreciate the faith shown in the city by the tourists and their $. Can't beat the food as well - the poboy counts as one of the greatest culinary inventions and the muffelata I had at Central Grocery was outstanding. Beware the red beans and rice - although tasty, it's a deadly combo.
Posted by: Guy | May 03, 2006 at 09:49 AM