So how was Stevie Wonder’s performance yesterday at Jazz Fest? I was going to say it was worth seeing, even though it bogged down in the middle. But Times-Picayune music writer Keith Spera says it better than I can. On top of that, you had to endure the rain, the mud, and the multitude. But it was worth it to hear Stevie live, performing “Love’s in Need of Love Today,” “Too High,” “Living for the City,” “Golden Lady,” “Higher Ground,” “Sir Duke,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Boogie On, Reggae Woman,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” and “Superstition.”
The best set I saw yesterday was by Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. Their music is somewhere between funky jazz and jazzy funk. They are a high-energy group bent on pleasing the crowd, and they did.
Also seen yesterday: the Gospel Inspiration of Boutte, 007, Theryl “Houseman” deClouet, and D.L. Menard and the Louisiana Aces. For the hungries, I had the duck po boy, some crawfish bread, and some meaty white beans. The duck po boy was delicious, but in my book, the cochon de lait po boy is still the champ—and $3 cheaper ($8 for the duck; $5 for the cochon de lait).
Today will be an adventure. As Suzanne and I were waking up, the rain outside was pouring, and the thunder was loud. Right now (10:23 a.m.), the rain has slacked off. The track at the Fair Grounds is surely muddy, and the infield muddier. But then, today’s lineup includes these folks:
- The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (1:50, Congo Square)
- Henry Butler (2:15, Gentilly)
- Aaron Neville’s Gospel Soul (3:25, Gospel Tent)
- Spencer Bohren (3:35, Allison Miner)
- the subdudes (3:35, Acura)
- John Mooney (3:45, Blues Tent)
- Marcia Ball (3:45, Gentilly)
- Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea (3:45, Jazz Tent)
- Jimmy Buffett (5:30, Acura)
- Kenny Wayne Shepherd (5:30, Blues Tent)
- Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (5:35, Jazz Tent)
- Joe Krown (6:00, Allison Miner)
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