Blog Over

Thanks for joining us online for the 2006 Beale Street Music Festival! Comments will remain open through the end of May, so feel free to talk back to the bloggers and give 'em a piece of your mind.

See you next year!

Diddley Knows More Than Squat

I believe Bo Diddley is responsible for several of the greatest recordings in rock and roll history, including ?Dearest Darling,? ?Say Man,? ?Who Do You Love?? and ?Road Runner,? to name a few.

So I was very happy and honored to be able to spend almost 20 minutes talking to Bo in his trailer dressing room at the South End of Tom Lee Park prior to his 7:20 p.m. performance at the Beale Street Music Festival.

Seated in a low chair and wearing his trademark black hat and big-rimmed glasses, Bo held court, surrounded by band members and managers. He answered questions posed by myself and the other reporter present, a representative of Y?all magazine. (In general, he was more eager to give advice than to ponder record-nerd inquiries about specific recordings.)

Herewith, some words from Bo Diddley, as he approaches his 78th birthday:

Bo?s advice for young people: ?Stay in school... stay away from drugs. That?s it. Bo knows.?

Bo on being President of the United States: ?I wouldn?t want that job and get my butt kicked every 15 minutes.? (He said he is not among those who ?dog? George W. Bush.)

Bo on whether he has plans to retire: ?Yeah, when Arthur gets me. Now, do you know who Arthur is? Arthur-itis. Arthur is mean.?

Bo on being a living legend: ?Weird, it?s weird. I ain?t no sex symbol.?

Bo?s favorite part of playing live: ?Making people laugh and jump around and go crazy.?

Bo?s other favorite part of playing live: ?Dollar bills is a thrill.?

Bo on rap music: ?Our girls deserve a little bit more than that.?

Bo on 21st Century music-making: ?Technology has messed up a generation of potential good musicians. We?re getting dependent on buttons. I was wondering when someone was gonna build a keyboard with my beat on it. I found one, and I wasn?t happy about it.?

Bo on why he writes so many songs about Bo (?Bo Diddley,? ?Hey! Bo Diddley,? ?The Story of Bo Diddley,? ?Bo?s Vacation,? ?Bo?s Guitar,? ?Bo Meets the Monster,? ?Bo Diddley Is Loose,? ?Bo?s a Lumberjack,? ?Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger,? etc.): ?That?s just my style. I like saying ?Bo Diddley.? In fact, I love me.?

"im talkin about Memphis... Shinedown... Mudpit..."

Trapt didn't particularly appeal to me.
Maybe you really like rock cliches. i don't. Next!

The BSMF is great for weird people in funny t-shirts. I can't really talk about the best ones i've seen without jeapardizing my newfound relationship with the CA. But i think i found one that's clean.
"you looked better on myspace."
Seen that one several times today.

I stopped in to see Hubert Sumlin, but it looked like G.E. was stealing the show a bit. So, i took his picture.

Then, i walked down to Gov't Mule and ended up staying a while because i saw some good friends.

I think we can chalk that up as another set i enjoyed slightly more than i thought i would. It's nostalgic just to listen to Warren Haynes' tone for a minute. But i would say i'm not nearly as sentimental as the majority of the audience. I saw several grown men who looked like they were going to cry during "Soulshine."

We retired to the Flyer tent for Amstyl Light and BBQ sandwiches.
(btw, you people that drink a lot of free beer, and don't tip your "bartenders" deserve to be shot)

On the way there i reached an impasse.

This placed smelled really bad.

I bet these girls smelled really bad, too.

Then my choice was thus: Shinedown, Yellowcard, or Chicago.
I know. i went to see Shinedown because i freaking hate Chicago and i didn't want to see that other stuff either. And i'm tired of walking around. And i thought there would be "more interesting" people there. I was right. But my little powershot doesn't work so well at night so you're just going to have to trust me on this one.

They played what i understand to be a pretty standard set. Old stuff and new stuff and Simple Man. Apparently they play in Memphis pretty often. (i would look it up and tell you, but i don't really care and i'm just too tired)

They obviously have a very strong audience here.

I can't dig it though. Really overdone and overblown vocals and some lowest common denominator rock licks. If you don't agree with my opinion, that's too bad. It's what i'm here to give. I'm sure you'll get over it someday.

It did sound true to their stuff on the radio, but chances are if you don't like that, then you won't like them live. I also don't appreciate stupid audience participation exercises and annoying questions like "Who here has seen us before?!" and "Who bought our record?!"
Who the hell cares? Play a song.

And i can't like Stained either. (Sorry guys)
Not for a lack of musicianship or production or anything.
It's just not compelling to me. I just don't get it.
And James Brown was about to start.

"The eighth wonder of the world,"
"Mr. Magnificent,"
"Mr. Showtime,"
"Mr. Please, Please..."

I'm sorry i called it the Last Legs Fest earlier. If James is on his last legs, he had me fooled.
J.B is not a young man, and he's been crazy for a long time. I've seen a decent amount of footage to prove it. (thanks Drew)
But the godfather of soul looked fabulous.
His band was pimp tight (this was established way before he took the stage)
And when he was there, he was right there holding the reigns.

I remembered that i was supposed to be having a good time, and felt myself stuck with a really dumb smile on my face.

And now i'm tired.
I'm going to crawl into the Hightone for the Pre-Ponderosa Stomp party.
You should already be there by now.

Rachel Loses Her Temper

It usually takes a lot to rub me the wrong way. But I hit my limit tonight. The security at the festival this year was the most unhelpful rude batch I've come across in three years. As a courtesy, not because I have any interest in the band at all, I went over to the pit to snap a few pictures of Staind at the beginning of their show.

As soon as I walked up a security person walked up to me and told me to leave. I asked where Michelle, the lady who was handing out photo passes, was. She said she didn't know, and that I needed an escort. I explained that Michelle was the escort and I needed to find her. She said she didn't know and I needed to leave. I again tried to look for guidance as to how to solve my problem and she again told me to leave. So then I told her she didn't have to act like a bith. (B-i-t-h).

She most likely misundestood my web language and in turn called me a bith - but with the c. So I gave her the evil eye and a rude hand gesture and walked away. Then she told on me.

Silly lady. I was told that if the festival weren't over than I would not be allowed back in the pit. Which was laughable because I was never allowed anyway without a huge ordeal. And it almost seemed like for most security people it was just a power play, cause I would go hunt down someone who would go down to the stage and tell them to let me in. Then I would come back at the next show and they would tell me I needed an escort again. It's just silly and so not worth the hassle it to get shots of third teir grunge metal acts.

So, this may well be my last foray into covering the BSMF. It's really not worth the trouble. The lineup is laughable, the hoops I've had to jump through in the mud have been degrading, and having to constantly argue with security so that I can do my job is totally ridiculous.

Last night when I was kicked out of the back stage area during Huey Lewis and the News , I started to argue with the guy but then stopped in mid-sentence and instead said,"You know what? I don't really care." Then I turned on my heel, slipped and busted my knee open. I sure showed him!

Today I heard from a reliable source that Huey agreed to do press after his performance. But no one showed up.

After 'The Incident" I was about to come back here and make one last post that said:

Screw BSMF! I'm goin' home! (Cartman Voice)

But, for you, my readers, I made one last sacrifice of my valuable time and made my way down to the Autozone stage to catch the only worthwhile reason to come downtown this weekend:

James Brown

Ok,

Screw BSMF, I'm going to the Ponderosa Stomp pre-party at the Hitone!

More tomorrow, or if I am fired from the CA tomorrow, just check my blog for the info:

Rachelandthecity

Rock By Numbers

I was not sucessful at my nap. Some band named Shinedown that sounds like a heavy metal Creed interupted my slumber when they hit the Cellular South stage located directly in front of the window of the media trailer.

The kids really love the Shinedown. There's nothing more heartwarming then seeing a couple thousand people sing in unison, "Staring down the barrell of a .45!" Actually there is one thing more heartwarming, watching couples make-out during this song. "Oh, sweetie! It's our song!"

High Res

If you didn't get a chance to see the show, you totally missed out on the "One, Two, Eff You!' chant. Which is a real pity.

High Res

I left the Rock 103 booth before I got a chanc eot take the picture of the crwod when he told them to jump, or put up their lighters. Look kids! It's Simon Says Rock and Roll!

Today has definitely been the best turnout I've seen.

High Res

Security Power Trip

See these semi-cool pics I snapped of Gomez yesterday? They were taken on the riser next to the stage. I was subjected to three security guys looking up my skirt in order to obtain them. Today when I returned to the Autozone stage to check out Chicago I was told that I could not go on the same riser as it was reserved for 'VIP's", all three of them. When I asked where I could watch the show from I was told snarkily in the audience. You see, at the BSMF, having a media pass is akin to having leprosy. Instead of explaing to the knucklehead that it would be pretty hard to tke notes next to Jim Bob dancing and spilling his beer on me, and pointless to try to watch the show from 300 yards away, I just left. Afterall, it was Chicago and I was trying to be a good sport.

I'd rather take a nap before James Brown anyway. Can someone call and wake me up at 8:45?

Sunday Driving

Here's how my day is going so far: Media parking was full so I had to drive around half an hour to find a free spot (cause paying for parking is for suckers!). I left my press pass in my car. I think I broke my camera when I dropped it in a mud puddle last night (not to be confused with Puddle of Mudd). it cost me $3.50 to take money out of the atm. My funnel cake was undercooked. And I just had to sit through Trapt's set and listen to every rock cliche in the book.

"This next song is about when someone really eff's you over. Does anyone out there know what I'm talking about?"

Number of times they used the eff word in their set? 809,345. But the kids really dig it!

Oh, and did I mention the hangover? Today's gonna be a good one, I can tell.

In other news, I just witnessed my first crowd surfers of the festival. How retro! Oh, and from the media tent I can see the crowds are starting to throw mud at each other. Yay, as if the ring of dirt round my tub isn't thick enough already.

Beleive it or not, I guess i'm going to go see Chicago, my true other options are Yellowcard and Shinedown. Irony is always better then angst.

More on The Gins

The contest for the GB autographs is now closed. I walked into the office today and saw that one had been swiped. I had to arm wrestle Bret to get it back. You're welcome.

And yes, I just got here. The real fun of the BSMF are the afterparties and I hit quite a few last night. Ow, my aching head. Do funnel cakes cure hanovers?

Let's find out.

Carry on,

Rachelandthecity

Scalpers lose at life.

I'm going to go ahead and get my negative attitude out of the way first.
I have a personal history of hatred for and confrontation with scalpers. And this year they are just plain out of control. The MPD has obviously given up, because I thought scalping used to be illegal.

I just find it horribly amusing to see middle aged men in turtlenecks getting shaken down by security at the gates, and not 50 yards away its pure scalper chaos. It's harassment all around for the people paying to be here and it makes our city look ghetto.

If you support them by buying and selling to them, you are part of the problem.

Anyway.

Malpais deserves all the good press they've been getting.

They were interesting and creative, with the talent to handle a wide range of Latin influenced styles. The variety and pacing really kept their performance exciting. I took a couple of years of college Spanish, but I couldn't really follow the vocals. Every time that happens to me I wonder if this is what Japanese people who listen to Elvis feel like.

I managed to catch the end of Janiva Magness.

Unfortunately I missed out on seeing her rather unique washboard, but I'll let you use your imagination. The show was quite engaging and I overheard an awesome comment from my pal Josh. "I've seen more jean shorts per capita here than at any festival in history."

I paused at Billy Lee Riley just long enough to confirm he was on his last legs.
(Last legs fest 2006)

The show was still pretty classy, in spite of his uncharacteristic cane.
(or maybe that helped)

This is what the "Classy Older Guy Stage" is all about to me.

Galactic was good if you enjoy that sort of thing and don't mind gyrating frat boys.

I haven't seen them in a few years. (I flatly refuse to pay $30 to do so)
But they were as energized and tightly knit as ever.

Then I ducked back into the Blues Tent for Robert Belfour.

His darkly heartfelt blues is the brand I like.
Not what my friends term "smokin Huey's blues."
This just makes you want whiskey.

Finally, I rounded out the circuit on the south end with 10 Years. They weren't quite as horrible as i expected. (yes, this is about as good a compliment as you get from me)
What's with the disproportionate number of front men with dreads these days?
At least this one could sing.
It just seems to me that most of this new young 93Xish stuff is all the same.
I don't find any of it particularly compelling.
Maybe I'm just a prick. I dunno.

Do you know who else I ran into?
The guy who was driving the horse carriage and blasting Pantera that saved my life Friday night.

And guess who that girl is? (I swear I wouldn't lie to you)
It's one of the drunken Mississippi girls he was riding around who couldn't find her car.
Way to go guy!
Good karma is a good thing.

All right then.

MIMTV vs. Rachel and the City

Gin Blossoms or Iron Maiden? Rachel Hurley finds out from the audience their choice on MIMTV.

Lil' Richard and his big, juicy ladies

Remember the other day when I was talking about how old men can't rock? Well, I take it back. (Not all of it, of course. That would mean I was wrong, and I'm completely incapable of admitting that).

Who changed my mind, you ask? This man...

Ok, so Little Richard doesn't really rock. He doesn't have a crazy pyrotechnic show, nor does he bring it like like these guys, but the guy's pretty good for a 73-year-old man.

He hit most of his big songs in the show, including "Tutti Fruiti", "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Jenny Jenny." His songs were very high energy, and he even had fun at his own expense with the audience. In between songs, he'd talk about his mixed black/Indian heritiage, including ramblings about how he didn't know what tribe he belonged to and that sort of nonsense. Although most of the jokes by themselves were from another era, Richards' emphatic "shut-up" between lines always drew a laugh.

The most memorable part of the show took place when he wanted some ladies from the audience to come up onstage and dance with him.

"All right, I'd like a big, juicy white lady to come up here and dance for me," Richard said. "And next, I'd like a big, juicy black lady to come up and dance for me too."

At this point, one of the band members came over and whispered something into his ear.

"Oh yeah," Richard said hurriedly, "Is there any big, juicy Latino girls out there who'd like to dance for me?"

Many women in the audience were jumping at the chance to come upstage, but the crew had already picked their dancers prior to the show. The women came out and dance for a song. A lady behind me was upset because "none of those girls look big to me." I had to agree, didn't mind so much.

All in all, Richard's set was a good one to see. He kept his audience happy and entertained, and was only annoying when he kept trying to hawk his wares to the audience. That, and I'm pretty sure Elvis would be pissed if he saw that Richards had stolen his outfit.

Shut-up...

Wo' Out

Welp, after two days of busting myself at the festival, I'm worn out. My original plan was to bounce back and forth between work (I post the paper on Sunday nights) and the festival, but that's not going to happen tonight. Sorry James, I'll have to catch you another time.

However, as a free tip to anybody who is attending tonight, I would bring a tape recorder and stand in between the Blues Traveler and James Brown stages and try to get a decent live mashup (link is wikipedia, but has PG-13 language, just so you know) going.

Can you image it? "Say it loud! Don't give me no runaround!"

Of course, tape recorders are prohibited inside the park tonight for obvious reasons. You'll have to take it up with this guy...

Round 3

On the way in to the park i spy a little beachhead encampment composed of old vans and tarps set up in the middle of Riverside Dr.
Of course i am going to go talk to these guys.

"So where are you guys from?"
-"Arkansas."
"Awesome."

Don't worry folks he's not really Jesus. (I asked)
It does make a fine little spot for Bush beer, though.

People are showing up pretty early today. And the absolute best thing about having my little press pass here is not having to wait in this.

I ran in to my good buddy Luke Sexton of Memphix Records, hanging out trying to make a few $$$.

"Hey pal, what are you up to?"
-"Just showing some drunk people how to scratch."
"Oh yea, how's that going?"
-"Well, if the aren't too drunk we let them record something, but they usually are."

I love that guy.

Here's how im renaming the stages today:

The Patchouli Stage (again Budweiser is looking soft) will feature Galactic, Gov't Mule, and Blues Traveler. Yellowcard is stuck in the middle of that somewhere. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but if you make cell phone commercials maybe they change the rules for you.

The Cellular South Stage i dub, The Superbadass Hell Yea Rock Stage. 10 Years, Trapt, Shinedown and Stained. I'm going to swing by Malpais first just to see what everyone was talking about yesterday.

The Autozone Stage will feature Booker T, Chicago, and James Brown. "The Respectable Adult Stage."

And the Blues Tent will naturally remain the Blues Tent. Janiva Magness, Robert Belfour, Huber Sumlin (w/ G.E. Smith of SNL fame), Saffire and Johny Winter will appear there today.

Go see whatever you want. I personally am going to just wander around and try to find something that surprises me.

If i really have to tell you to go see James Brown, you are in need of far more help than i am willing or able to give.

I would, however, highly recommend stopping by the High Tone on your way home for the Ponderosa Stomp Pre-Party. Serious soul music will ensue. The DJ lineup is heavyweight and all proceeds benefit New Orleans and Gulf Coast musicians.

It will be very awesome. If you don't go you will be missing out.
That is all for now.

Double-Secret Celebrity Party

Information here. This is what we call "driving traffic to my blog."

Devon and Gang, Tonight

Don't forget, fresh from their set this afternoon at the Blues Tent, Devon Allman and Honeytribe play a Music Fest afterparty tonight at The Blue Monkey in Midtown. He sure looks like his dad (Gregg), doesn't he? Sounds a bit like him, too.