Sunday, August 10, 2008
R.I.P., Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac
Posted by Kevin Allman on Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 9:30 PM
AP reporting that Isaac Hayes was found dead at home in Memphis. He was 65.
I found this account of a Hayes appearance in New Orleans in 1970, written by Kalamu ya Salaam:
I remember seeing him in 1970 at an event in New Orleans called the Soul Bowl. It was about four o’clock on a Saturday afternoon when Ike took the stage on the infield of the once-famous, now-demolished, Sugar Bowl stadium at Tulane university. The program had been going since noon and would not end until near midnight; I didn’t know how Ike was going to pull off doing 15 minute ballads in that atmosphere....Even if an artist was inclined to do so today, I don’t believe this kind of music making could be pulled off on a regular basis. In many ways, Ike is a throwback to the Big Band era, a period that we will never see again, not only because of the economics of carrying such a large number of musicians, but also because of the prevailing musical tastes and the prevailing sound which is heavy on electronically-produced and electronically-augmented music.
This, of course, on the news of Bernie Mac's passing at the age of 50. Damn.
And I don't want to believe this news about Paul Newman. I hope the Rule of Three holds off.
Sunday comics
Posted by Kevin Allman on Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 4:17 PM
When I was a kid, I lived for Sunday mornings and the funny pages. Not any more. They've got a lot of problems -- they're stale, they require a Hubble telescope to read them -- but the biggest problem is that the funny pages are no longer funny. (I'm looking at you, Cathy.)
Gambit runs two regular comics -- the brilliant Suspect Device and This Modern World -- but two comics are not enough. So I've come up with a couple of Sunday-morning solutions...
Why I Love Red Lodge
Posted by Clancy DuBos on Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 9:30 AM
I confess to having gushed about Red Lodge, Montana, during my annual “sanity break” these past two weeks. It happens every summer, but this year I’ve been more enamored of this quaint little mountain town than ever before.
For those who didn’t mind reading about mountain trout and/or the Cascade Fire, my sincerest thanks. Now, as I return the swamp that I’m proud to call home, and with apologies to David Letterman, I offer one last blast from Red Lodge: My Top 12 Reasons for Loving Red Lodge, Montana (Ten is Not Enough).
Shake it like a salt shaker, drop it like it's hot
Posted by Alison Fensterstock on Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 7:43 AM
Click here to navigate to Imeem.com and listen to a streaming playlist of more than 20 New Orleans bounce classics and new joints - including at least one from every artist mentioned in this week's cover story. Bounce
Coming up in this week's Gambit
Posted by Kevin Allman on Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 3:29 AM
- In our cover story, Alison Fensterstock explores the world of "sissy rappers" and their popularity on the New Orleans bounce-rap scene, with great photos by Cheryl Gerber. Next week, Alison will be on the blog to take your questions and share some of her favorite New Orleans bounce tracks (sissy and non-sissy) in streaming audio, including some by our cover subjects, Big Freedia and Sissy Nobby.
- Back to school! A special section for newcomers and locals alike, focusing on the best clubs, the best eats on a student budget, shopping tips to trick out your new student life, and a rough (very rough) guide to New Orleans Facebook groups.
- In commentary: Hashing out the history -- and the differences -- between Levees.org and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Can we all get together on an 8/29 Commission?
- Also: reviews of Irma Thomas' new CD, sculptor Robert Tannen's new show, a look at where to get the best banh mi sandwiches, and more more more...
