In Pictures: More Scenes from New Orleans

Dino Perrucci Photography


Ben Ellman (Galactic) - Tipitina's, New Orleans 10/30/09



New Orleans Bingo! Show - Voodoo Experience, New Orleans 10/30/09



Troy & James Andrews - House of Blues, New Orleans 10/29/09



Dr. John - House of Blues, New Orleans 10/29/09

In Pictures (& Words): Ponderosa Stomp | 04.28 & 04.29 | NOLA

(c/o Jambase)

Words by: Scott Schinder | Images by: Jacob Blickenstaff

Ponderosa Stomp :: 04.28.09 & 04.29.09 :: House of Blues :: New Orleans, LA

The Legendary Stardust Cowboy :: Ponderosa Stomp '09

In its eight years of existence, the New Orleans-based Ponderosa Stomp - the brainchild of Big Easy anesthesiologist/music fiend Ira "Dr. Ike" Padnos - has emerged as a beloved institution, with a devoted national audience much broader than the cadre of record-collecting fanatics that was its initial constituency. In the process, the Stomp has outgrown its original location in the pleasantly funky Rock 'n' Bowl, in favor of the more corporate (but better-sounding and more centrally-located) House of Blues. In addition to its annual two-night smorgasbord of veteran R&B, soul, rockabilly, garage-rock, swamp-pop and country performers, the Stomp now also encompasses a daytime music conference that includes a memorabilia-packed museum exhibit, screenings of music-themed documentary films, and panel discussions featuring a variety of musicians and behind-the-scenes movers and shakers.

But, the Stomp's mission remains the same: To honor the cult legends, unsung heroes and forgotten visionaries who first put rock 'n' roll on the map, and to showcase these still-vital survivors in an appropriate, respectful and fun manner. In contrast to the purist vibe that undermines so many roots-oriented music fests, the Stomp presents a stylistically diverse array of artists whose common thread is their musical and emotional authenticity. Those qualities were out in force in the Stomp's 2009 installment, which featured the fest's most impressive lineup yet, with more than 50 acts on two stages over the course of two marathon nights, which ran from 6:00 p.m. to around four in the morning.

Wanda Jackson :: Ponderosa Stomp '09

This year's Stomp encompassed an epicurean assortment of performers, offering a spicy mix of old favorites and obscure rediscoveries. The highlights were so many that it was easy to lose count, but standouts included muscular sets by seminal female rocker Wanda Jackson, rockabilly progenitor Dale Hawkins and venerable blues harpist Lazy Lester, all of whom were joined on stage by the brilliant guitarist James Burton (Elvis Presley). Beloved '60s garage-rockers The Remains summoned up sufficient fire to demonstrate why they're local legends in their hometown of Boston, while the great Memphis songwriter/producer Dan Penn managed to hold the rowdy crowd's attention with a mesmerizing low-key duo set in tandem with veteran session keyboardist Bobby Emmons. But the Stomp's single most mind-blowing feature may well have been a transcendently raucous reunion set by Flamin' Groovies founders Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan, ably backed by New York slop-rock anti-geniuses the A-Bones (who had served the same function the previous evening for Texas R&B/rockabilly visionary Ray Sharpe).

Lil Greenwood :: Ponderosa Stomp '09

One of the Stomp's most distinct pleasures is the opportunity to discover lesser known and/or rarely seen regional artists, whom the Stomp regularly rescues from obscurity. Among this year's nicest surprises were a high-energy set by Roddy Jackson, who recorded some spectacular rock 'n' roll singles for the Specialty label in the '50s; 83-year-old former Duke Ellington Orchestra vocalist and R&B soloist Lil Greenwood, whose riveting set belied her age; unsung Sun rockabilly aces Carl Mann and Alton Lott; fabled boogie-woogie pianist Little Willie Littlefield, whose recording career stretches back to the 1940s; the legendary Louisiana blues guitarist Classie Ballou; and the great Dallas soul auteur Bobby Patterson.

Nowhere is the Stomp's commitment to quality more apparent than in the consistently first-rate house bands that provide backup for most of the performers, and which provided a powerful contrast to the inept and/or unsympathetic pickup combos that are an occupational hazard for veteran performers. The versatile roots-rock guitarist Deke Dickerson and his Eccofonics provided stellar support for several rockabilly and blues acts. Equally noteworthy was another Stomp backup mainstay, veteran Louisiana blues guitarist Lil' Buck Sinegal and his band, The Topcats, including Stanley Dural (aka Buckwheat Zydeco) on soulful Hammond organ. Sinegal, Dural and company were the backbone of a New Orleans-themed mini-revue that included "Barefootin'" originator Robert Parker and Mardi Gras poet laureate Al "Carnival Time" Johnson. And the legendary studio band of Memphis' Hi Records label memorably reunited with Otis Clay, to revisit some of the triumphant soul sides they cut together in the '70s.

The two-night sonic orgy finally wound down on an appropriately delirious note, with an extended set by Chicano garage-rock pioneers Question Mark & the Mysterians. Ever-flamboyant frontman Question Mark's over-the-top antics left the hardy late-night throng exhausted, elated and ready for Ponderosa Stomp 2010.

Continue reading for more pics of the Ponderosa Stomp...

04.28.09 :: The House of Blues :: NOLA

Alton Lott

Johnny Powers

Carl Mann

Cowboy Jack Clement

Teenie Hodges

Otis Clay with the Hi-Rhythm Section

James 'Blood' Ulmer

Texas Johnny Brown

Dale Hawkins with James Burton

The Remains

Howard Tate

The Legendary Stardust Cowboy

Dr. Ike

Ray Sharpe

Kenny and the Casuals

Lady Bo

04.29.09 :: The House of Blues :: NOLA

Lil' Buck Sinegal

Jerry McCain

Lazy Lester

Lazy Lester with James Burton

Warren Storm with Lazy Lester and James Burton

Robert Parker

Ernie Vincent

Tony Owens

Skip Easterling

Earl Stanley (center) with Mike Hurtt

David Batiste

LC Ulmer

Dan Penn and Bobby Emmons

Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan with the A-Bones

Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan with the A-Bones

Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan with the A-Bones

In Pictures: My Jazzfest 2009: Kermit CD Release feat. Wynton Marsalis

Offbeat Best of the Beat Nominees

Click here to vote for your favorites.

Here’s the list of nominees:

Best Blues Band or Performer
Tab Benoit
David Egan
Little Freddie King
Sonny Landreth
Irma Thomas

Best Blues Album
David Egan: You Don’t Know Your Mind (Independent)
Sonny Landreth: From the Reach (Landfall)
Eric Lindell: Low on Cash, Rich in Love (Alligator)
Kenny Neal: Let Life Flow (Blind Pig)
Irma Thomas: Simply Grand (Rounder)

Best R&B/Funk Band or Performer

Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Bonerama
Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen
Porter-Batiste-Stoltz
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave.

Best R&B/Funk Album
Big Sam’s Funky Nation: Peace, Love & Understanding (Independent)
Henry Butler: PiaNOLA Live (Basin Street)
Dr. John: City That Care Forgot (429/Savoy)
Joe Krown, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Russell Batiste, Jr.: Live at the Maple Leaf (Independent)
Walter “Wolfman” Washington: Doin’ the Funky Thing (Zoho Roots)

Best Rock Band or Performer
Theresa Andersson
The Happy Talk Band
The New Orleans Bingo! Show
Quintron and Miss Pussycat
Rotary Downs

Best Rock Album
Theresa Andersson: Hummingbird, Go! (Basin Street)
The Bad Off: Lady Day (Independent)
The Happy Talk Band: THERE there (Independent)
The New Orleans Bingo! Show: Vol. 2: For a Life Ever Bright (New Orleans Bingo! Show)
Quintron and Miss Pussycat: Too Thirsty 4 Love (Goner)

Best Rap/Hip-Hop Band or Performer
B.G. and the Chopper City Boyz
Fifth Ward Weebie
Juvenile
Lil Wayne
Truth Universal

Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album
B.G. and the Chopper City Boyz: Life in the Concrete Jungle (Chopper City)
Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III (Cash Money)
Truth Universal: Self-Determination (Independent)

Best Traditional Jazz Band or Performer
John Boutte
Tom McDermott
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Don Vappie
Dr. Michael White

Best Traditional Jazz Album
John Boutte: Good Neighbor (Independent)
Evan Christopher: Delta Bound (Arbors)
Tom McDermott and Connie Jones: Creole Nocturne (Arbors)
Seva Venet: Mens Working (Jazzology)
Dr. Michael White: Blue Crescent (Basin Street)

Best Contemporary Jazz Band or Performer
Astral Project
Terrence Blanchard
The Magnetic Ear
Jesse McBride & the Next Generation
Christian Scott

Best Contemporary Jazz Album
The Magnetic Ear: Live at the Saturn Bar (Independent)
Ellis Marsalis Quartet: An Open Letter to Thelonious (ELM)
Jesse McBride: Jesse McBride presents the Next Generation (AFO)
Christian Scott: Live at Newport (Concord)
Frederick “Shep” Sheppard: Tradition: The Habari Gani Sessions (Drumparade)

Best Brass Band
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Free Agents Brass Band
Hot 8 Brass Band
Rebirth Brass Band
The Soul Rebels

Best Gospel Band or Performer
Electrifying Crown Seekers
Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Choir
Tyronne Foster & the Arc Singers
Trin-i-tee 5:7
Zion Harmonizers

Best Cajun Band or Performer
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Feufollet
Lost Bayou Ramblers
Pine Leaf Boys
Cedric Watson

Best Cajun Album
Michael Doucet: From Now On (Smithsonian Folkways)
Feufollet: Cow Island Hop (Valcour)
Pine Leaf Boys: Homage au Passé (Lionsgate)
The Savoy Family Band: Turn Loose but Don’t Let Go (Arhoolie)
Cedric Watson: Cedric Watson (Valcour)

Best Zydeco Band or Performer
Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys
Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames
Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie
Travis Matte and the Kingpins
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience

Best Zydeco Album
Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys: Keep the Tradition Alive! (Maison de Soul)
Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames: Holla @ Me (Independent)
Travis Matte: Hip Hop Zyde-Rock (Mhat)
Earl “Washboard” Sally: Home Grown (Catfish Zydeco)

Best Country/Folk/Roots Rock Band or Performer
Susan Cowsill
The Iguanas
Paul Sanchez
The subdudes
The Zydepunks

Best Country/Folk/Roots Rock Album
Bobby Charles: Homemade Songs (Rice ’N’ Gravy)
The Iguanas: If You Should Ever Fall on Hard Times (Yep Roc)
Paul Sanchez: Exit to Mystery Street (Independent)
Amanda Shaw: Pretty Runs Out (Rounder)
The Zydepunks: Finisterre (Independent)

Best Emerging Artist
Antenna Inn
The Figs
Los Po-Boy-Citos
The Other Planets
The Vettes

Best Cover Band or Performer
Bag of Donuts
The Bucktown Allstars
The Top Cats

Female Vocalist
Theresa Andersson
Susan Cowsill
Irma Thomas

Male Vocalist
John Boutte
Marc Broussard
Clint Maedgen

Bass Player
Robert Mercurio
George Porter, Jr.
James Singleton

Guitar Player
Sonny Landreth
Jimmy Robinson
Walter “Wolfman” Washington

Drummer/Percussionist
Russell Batiste, Jr.
Stanton Moore
Johnny Vidacovich

Saxophone
Tony Dagradi
Tim Green
Donald Harrison

Clarinet
Evan Christopher
Tim Laughlin
Dr. Michael White

Trumpet
Trombone Shorty
Terence Blanchard
Irvin Mayfield

Trombone
Craig Klein
Mark Mullins
Rick Trolsen

Tuba / Sousaphone
Matt Perrine
Phil Frazier
Kirk Joseph

Piano/Keyboards
Henry Butler
Jon Cleary
Tom McDermott

Accordion
Steve Riley
Wilson Savoy
Terrance Simien

Violin/Fiddle
Michael Doucet
Cedric Watson
Linzay Young

Other Instrument
Dave Easley (steel guitar)
Don Vappie (banjo)
Washboard Chaz (washboard)

Album of the Year
Theresa Andersson: Hummingbird, Go! (Basin Street)
Michael Doucet: From Now On (Smithsonian Folkways)
Dr. John: City That Care Forgot (429/Savoy)
Irma Thomas: Simply Grand (Rounder)
Dr. Michael White: Blue Crescent (Basin Street)

Artist/Band of the Year
Theresa Andersson
Lil Wayne
Tom McDermott
Irma Thomas
Trombone Shorty