A Benefit for Mobile Brass Band Leader Charles Mason
Saturday June 4th 1-4pm Cajun Shrimp Shack
3156 Airport Blvd, near Springdale Mall (former Hooter’s)
featuring
Bay City Brass Band
Mobile’s Olympia Brass Band
Excelsior Brass Band
Ray Charles (Charles McGlasker)
Alvin King
Mario Mena Band
Charles Mason, who founded Mobile’s Olympia and played with all three area Brass Bands. He has been hospitalized at USA Medical Center since February and has had both legs amputated, but is in good spirits according to Bay City leader Marcus Johnson.
Tickets for the event are $12, which includes a barbecue plate. Additional donations will be accepted. Johnson said all proceeds will go toward helping with Mason’s medical expenses.
Tickets are available in advance at the restaurant. For more information, call 251-458-9349 or 251-470-8116. Or email doc@modmobilian.com.
To see how INCREDIBLE this event will be check out the first benefit held at the Blind Mule in April:
Yes, yes … we ARE sweet lunacy’s county seat. And we love it.
Mod Mobilian’s Tribute to Mobile Mardi Gras & The Conde Explorers
Kris Skoda & Benji ride with the Conde Explorers (www.condeexplorers.org)
All your favorite spots are here: Civic Center, Church St., Malaga, Royal St., Veet’s, Battle House, Bienville Square, Dauphin St., Government, Broad, The Garage, and more!
There’s nothing quite like a first ride … (or second, third, etc.)
Were you there? - check and see.
Did you ride? – here is some Route A to last you til next year.
Didn’t go? What? See what you missed! (K Lee!)
Mod Mobilian gave a now-former reporter a seemingly easy task – to infiltrate the Joe Cain Procession and do a video interview with Joe Cain himself. We are sorry to report he failed miserably. Here was his excuse:
“Well first off, I posed as a marcher with Les Chats Sauvages. I was making my way up to Joe Cain himself in the Pre-Parade Line-up near the Civic Center, when I bumped into this big pirate named “Mojo”. He proceded to explain that he was a member of Dauphin Street Drunks (aka Drunks of Dauphin Street or DSD) and a bit about his organization. Shortly after he acquainted me with a lovely young lady named “Saucy Wench,” and we got into an extended conversation about their initiation ceremony. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal the details of which because she said the pirates’ penalty for spreading such secrets would be to cut my tongue out, and I certainly would not want that. But it did involve a swimming pool at a local B&B.
Saucy Wench (DSD)
Before I knew it the procession was moving and I was really trying to get up to the coal cart to interview Joe Cain. But right behind the coal cart were these exceedingly beautiful young ladies who called themselves the “Mistresses of Joe Cain.” Intrigued, I entered into conversation with a particularly striking young Mistress, who I think said her name was “Scarlett,” but that could have been someone else. Next thing I know I am pulling a Mistress in my little red wagon. Although the Mistresses are perfectly figured, combined with the weight of my throws it slowed me down considerably. Unfortunately, I had to leave the procession early because of medical needs and was unable to speak with Mr. Cain.”
“Scarlett”? (P-R)
We have since learned that:
Despite Mod Mobilian’s strict rules against ethanol consumption while on company business, said correspondent and his krewe had a secret compartment “full ofAbita & screwdrivers” in their wagon (and we don’t mean the Phillips-head type).
The video he shot (which we are completely ashamed of the quality of – see below) becomes progressively disoriented during the procession, which we believe is evidence of #1.
Apparently, he sought attention for his “medical needs” at The Garage.
Formed in 1961, Le Krewe de Bienville is Mobile’s only Civic Mardi Gras Organization.
The Meters formed in 1965 with keyboardist and vocalist Art Neville, guitarist Leo Nocentelli, bassist George Porter Jr. and drummer Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste. They were later joined by percussionist/vocalist Cyril Neville. The Meters became the house band for Allen Toussaint and his record label, Sansu Enterprises.
In 1969 the Meters released “Sophisticated Cissy” and “Cissy Strut”, both major R&B chart hits. “Look-Ka Py Py” and “Chicken Strut” were their hits the following year. After a label shift in 1972, the Meters worked with Dr. John, Paul McCartney, King Biscuit Boy, Labelle, Robert Palmer and others.
In 1974 Paul McCartney invited the Meters to play at the release party for his Venus and Mars album aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California; Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones was in attendance at the event and was greatly taken with the Meters and their sound. The Rolling Stones invited the band to open for them on their Tour of the Americas ‘75 and Tour of Europe ‘76. That same year, the Meters recorded one of their most successful albums, Fire On The Bayou. From 1976 to ‘77 they played in The Wild Tchoupitoulas with George & Amos Landry and the Neville Brothers.
They appeared on Saturday Night Live on March 19, 1977, during the show’s second season. The band broke up later that year. After the break-up, Neville gained fame as part of The Neville Brothers, Modeliste toured with Keith Richards and Ron Wood, while Nocentelli and Porter “became in-demand session players and formed new bands.”
Porter later created the Funky Meters with Art Neville, drummer Russell Batiste and Neville Brothers’ guitarist Brian Stoltz “to play and update the band’s music”; they were joined by Ian Neville for a time.
Art and George will join Zigaboo Modeliste and Leo Nocentelli for a set at the 10th Anniversary of Bonnaroo Music Festival June 9-12 in Manchester, TN. Being The Meters first time reuniting in over five years this is a show not to be missed. The band will back Dr. John to perform the legendary 1974 record Desitively Bonnaroo.
The Meters have maintained an avid following of fans and other artists, and their music has been sampled by musicians around the world, including rap artists Heavy D, LL Cool J, and Queen Latifah. The Red Hot Chili Peppers (Listen to their “Hollywood” then the Meters “Africa”) pay homage to them in one of their hit songs, and bands such as the Grateful Dead, KVHW, Steve Kimock Band, Widespread Panic, Rebirth Brass Band and String Cheese Incident often played their music.
Our definitive collection of “Mardi Gras” Music! Although we believe it is really “year round” music….
KC and the Sunshine Band is not Mardi Gras music!
The podcast will be available to play anytime on Mod Mobilian and Mod Mobilian Radio until Ash Wednesday.
Whether you are a Mardi Gras virgin who needs a crash course or a veteran in need of some new music it’s all here – take some time to learn where the songs you hear this time every year came from.
You can preview and buy all the songs from Amazon:
1) Professor Longhair – Tipitina
More talent in his little finger…
2) Trombone Shorty – Hurricane Season
Although some may say it is too new to be considered a standard (from his 2010 CD Backatown), we are hereby nominating it…
3) Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Eh La Bas St. Peter Street’s Sanctuary, started in 1961 by Allen and Sandra Jaffe and carried on by their son Ben (’Eh La Bas’ is creole for ‘Hey Over There’)
4) James Andrews – Bourbon Street Parade Another talented Andrews, lead singer and trumpeter of The New Birth Brass Band, singing the song by New Orleans drummer and songwriter Paul Barbarin.
5) Wild Magnolias – Mardi Gras Ho Na Nae Another from Big Chief Bo Dollis & Co.
6) Dr. John – Huey Smith Medley One genius honors another…”High Blood Pressure”, “Don’t You Just Know It”, “Well I’ll Be John Brown”
7) Wild Tchoupitoulas – Meet De Boys On The Battlefront
Kermit Ruffins – Treme Second Line An original future standard from Kermit & his Barbeque Swingers.
9) Sugar Boy Crawford – Jock-a-mo The original “Iko Iko” from 1954 (video of Dr. John and James’ grandson Davell Crawford)
10) Bay City Brass Band – Kickin’ It Live
From Mobile’s Own Bay City Brass – started in 1997 by Marcus Johnson.
Our definitive collection of “Mardi Gras” Music! Although we believe it is really “year round” music….
KC and the Sunshine Band is not Mardi Gras music!
The podcast will be available to play anytime on Mod Mobilian and Mod Mobilian Radio until Ash Wednesday.
Whether you are a Mardi Gras virgin who needs a crash course or a veteran in need of some new music it’s all here – take some time to learn where the songs you hear every year came from.
Feel free to leave suggestions below.
This is part 1 of at least 4. You can preview and buy all the songs from Amazon:
1) Do Whatcha Wanna – Rebirth Brass Band
Rebirth was started by Philip and Keith Frazier and Kermit Ruffins while they were still in high school in New Orleans, and their “Do Whatcha Wanna” has become a Mardi Gras anthem.
2) It Ain’t My Fault – Gulf Aid All-Stars
The Gulf Aid All-Stars was an impromptu recording in 2010 of Preservation Hall Jazz Band with friend of Mod MobilianBen Jaffe, Mos Def, Lenny Kravitz, Trombone Shorty to raise money for Gulf Aid oil spill relief. It updates Smokey Johnson and Wardell Quezergue’s 1964 classic to include lyrics about BP’s attitude in the Deep Horizon aftermath.
3) Big Chief - Professor Longhair
Written by Earl King and recorded by Professor Longhair (Henry Byrd, 1918-1980) in 1964.
4) It’s All Over Now – Dr. John & Dirty Dozen Brass Band Originally written by Bobby Womack & Shirley Womack and recorded by The Valentinos in 1964, it was made a hit by the Rolling Stones and became a Dirty Dozen standard – here collaborating with Dr. John. The Dirty Dozen arose in 1977 from Danny Barker’s Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band and revolutionized New Orleans’ brass bands.
5) Brother John – Wild Tchoupitoulas
The Wild Tchoupitoulas was started in the 1970’s by “Big Chief Jolly” George Landry, and recorded their album with the help of the Meters and Neville Brothers.
6) Shoo-Fly – Bo Dollis and Monk Boudreaux with Rebirth Brass Band
Chiefs of the Wild Magnolias and Golden Eagles collaborate with the Rebirth Brass Band to sing this standard based on a children’s song.
7) Sew-Sew-Sew – Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles
Here Big Chief Monk Boudreaux is with his Golden Eagles.
Little Liza Jane – Huey Piano Smith
The New Orleans legend records the standard that dates back to at least the 1910s.
9) Mardi Gras Day – Kermit Ruffins and Rebirth Brass Band
Rebirth does the song made big as “Big Bass Drum” by Dr. John.
10) Wild Magnolias – Handa Wanda
The Indian tribe started in the 1950s and led by Big Chief Bo Dollis does their signature tune.
Family-Friendly Mardi Gras Saturday, February 26 Begins at 9:15 a.m.
The parades, the parties, the balls, the music—it’s all part of the excitement of Mardi Gras in Mobile! Join the Mobile Museum of Art for what has become an annual exploration of the creativity, art and imagination in the tradition of Mardi Gras. There will be art activities and programs for all ages in and around the Museum. Activities include a parade through the galleries, minifloat creation and design in the Education Wing, Mardi Gras mask decoration, society doubloon crafting and the newest addition: Mardi Gras “Throw”-lympics,” which tests revelers’ accuracy with throws. Come dressed in Mardi Gras attire for free admission to the Museum and entry into the Mardi Gras costume contest.
Visitors will be encouraged to fully participate in each activity, and leave with a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the many artistic elements of Mardi Gras, and maybe a curiosity to find out more about them. This year’s featured presentations include: Marcus Johnson and The Bay City Brass Band – The Future of the Brass Band Traditions in Mobile and Teen Ballroom Dance with Debra Morrow and Aaron Ferguson – Mardi Gras Balls: Dancing Through the Ages.
Here’s the full list of Participants and Activities:
The Bay City Brass Band
Teen Ballroom Dance
Springhill Recreation Center Marching Wildcats
Boy Scout Troop 227
Society Dell’Arte
Wheel of Mardi Gras
“ThrOw”-lympics
Moon Pie Toss
Lollipop tree
Create your own Doubloon
Mask making 101
Mini-float design
Mardi Gras Balls and Coronations Video
Mardi Gras inspired short plays
Mardi Gras Costume Contest
Make sure to come at 9:15 am to get a spot in the parade and enjoy the Pre-Concert by the Bay City Brass Band. The Museum’s Galleries will be open all day as well, so roulez into the Museum for a morning of Mardi Gras fun the whole family can enjoy. For even more family-friendly fun sign up for Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama’s Thin Mint Sprint and free health fair taking place in Langan Park. Registration for the race begins at 6:30 a.m. with the race begining at 8 a.m. and health fair following.
For more information, contact contact Howard McPhail at 251.208.5205. or send an email here.
Kermit Ruffins – Treme Second Line
