Coco and Irene

Since we were just talking about Coco Robicheaux and Irene Sage here is an old video of the two performing "We've Got A Secret."

French Quarter Fest 2012: Irene Sage's Tribute to Coco Robicheaux

Last year the great Coco Robicheaux passed away.

Last year at French Quarter Fest Irene Sage played and right after her Coco was scheduled.  By the time Irene played the day was over half done and I was tired and not feeling well and knowing I had to be up early the next day I decided to skip Coco and go home.  I told myself that I had seen Coco plenty of times already and would have a chance to see him again in the future.  Now I wish I had stayed and watched that show.  It wasn't Coco's last show, but it was the last time I had a chance to see him.

Irene Sage told the story of how she say Coco play when she was a young girl and before long she was singing with him.  The two have sang with each other since.  Today Irene, with the help of friends such as Walter "Wolfman" Washington and others she decided to play tribute to Coco.

For my money this was the show of the Fest.

SONG OF THE DAY

Today we feature another New Orleans' local Coco Robicheaux doing "Revelator" from an upcoming album.

SONG OF THE DAY

In honor of the coming Christmas day we feature "Saturday Night Before Christmas" by Coco Robicheaux from his Spiritland album.

Jazz Fest Highlights: Grampa Elliot

I had no idea who this man was. All I knew was that he was following Coco Robicheaux in the Blues Tent. I actually missed the very beginning of his set, I went to the Live Recording Tent to see what they had for the day so far. When I got back Grampa Elliot was already playing. He was sitting on the stage in front of a microphone. Stoney B was playing piano. Grampa Elliot was an elderly African-American dressed in overalls and with a big white bushy beard. He sang and played the harmonica. Hearing "Hotel California" from this man was certainly a surprise, but what was a better surprise was that he took the song and made it his own. After doing some research later I've found out that Grampa Elliot is a street singer from New Orleans. He has no record contract, he has no My Space page...in other words he does what musicians are supposed to do, sing. His final song was "America the Beautiful" with a reading of the preamble from the Declaration of Independence in the middle of the song. Listening to that song was one of the highlights of the entire Jazz Fest for me.

Scenes From Jazz Fest: Coco Robicheaux w/Irene Sage

Interview: Coco Robicheaux

This Simply Six Interview is part of our Jazz Fest coverage. We talk with legendary New Orleans' singer Coco Robicheaux. Coco is an accomplished bluesman. The pictures preceding this interview were from this year's Jazz Fest.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?
IT WAS MAYBE 1959, AND I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY THROUGH MEMPHIS DURING A CIVIL RIGHTS RIOT. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND OTHERS WERE SPEAKING, TRYING TO KEEP THE PEACE. WE WERE HELD UP IN TRAFFIC, AND A STATE POLICE TROOPER ON A HORSE LEANED OVER AND SAID, "IF YOU WANT TO WAIT A MINUTE, ELVIS PRESLEY IS COMING THROUGH IN THAT RED TRUCK." ELVIS WAS STANDING ON THE SIDEBOARD, AND HE SMILED AND REACHED DOWN TO SHAKE MY HAND. IT WAS LIKE THE IMAGE IN SISTINE CHAPEL, WHEN GOD IS REACHING DOWN TO ADAM. IT SEEMED LIKE HIS TOOTH WENT "BLING", IT GLIMMERED. I LET MY HAND GET ALL GRUBBY, I WOULDN'T WASH IT FOR A WHILE.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
ANY LIVE MUSIC.I LIKE ALL MUSIC IF IT IS PLAYED WITH PASSION.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
SEEMS TO ME, EVERY TIME WE PLAY IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER, IT'S CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
THERE ARE PARTS OF THE BRAIN SPECIFICALLY DEDICATED TO HARMONY AND RHYTHM, SO THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE NEED IT. MUSIC CREATES THE WORLD. IT'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO FOCUS ON. I KNOW IT CHANGED MY WORLD.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
IT IS MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE NOW TO EVERYONE, AND IT IS SO MUCH EASIER. THANK GOD FOR MY HELPERS THAT UNDERSTAND THE TECHNOLOGY. I CAN CONNECT WITH PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD WITH MY WEBSITE, SPIRITLAND. COM. EVEN THOUGH SOME OF MY FAVORITE SONGS ARE 50 OR 60 YEARS OLD, THEY SOUND AS BRILLIANT TODAY AS THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THEM.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
WESTERN BOOTS, YOU KNOW, MANLY FOOTWEAR.

"Work of the Devil"