The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Fair Grounds Race Course New Orleans, LA April 23-25, 2010

Though the first day was packed with rain that reached a near torrential downpour during its most tumultuous moments, music lovers were fearless and the entertainers rose to the occasion. Headliner Lionel Richie, who returned to the extravaganza following a post Hurricane Katrina appearance, helped transform the puddles into a sweaty dance party loaded with a plethora of dance pop pleasantries. The longtime leader of The Commodores (not to mention Louisiana native) is back on the scene thanks to a red hot new album called Just Go (Island/Def Jam), which includes modern production values from Akon, but also packs plenty of his old school soul sensibility.

Though he tipped his hat towards material from the 2000s (like the rhythmic “Just For You”), staples of the 1970s and ‘80s made up most of the 90 minute throwdown. Classics like “Penny Lover” and “Running With the Night” have since translated to every generation that’s come after, while disco era favorites like “Lady (You Bring Me Up)” and “Brick House” transformed with the help of a slickly oiled backing band. To highlight his reputation as a songwriter, several piano ballads were on display (“Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Sail On”), though upbeat affairs like “All Night Long” sent the masses home singing loud and proud.

Across the enormous field, the classic retro-rock jams of the Robinson Brothers and their band the Black Crowes could be heard on the Gentilly Stage. The boys appeared to have slightly tone down their endless jams in the last few years delivering a more focused and satisfying live show. Starting out on a high note the boys ripped through several tracks from their first two albums including “Sting Me,” “Jealous Again” and “Twice As Hard.” The boys even dusted off their Otis Redding cover of “Hard to Handle” that gave them their first number one single and introduced them to the world a decade ago.

Just a few stages down, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic turned in a set of trippy funk filled with robust horns, chunky bass lines, outrageous apparel and even more over the top interludes. Though she performs every year, local hero Irma Thomas turned in a rare set honoring the late Mahalia Jackson, which reverently honored the gospel great and interjected an inspirational tone amidst the revelry.

Hometown hero Dr. John & the Lower 911 also continued in its roots rockin’ tradition, all the while upholding the city’s consistently compelling musical gumbo. Additional variety came courtesy of Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, who paid tribute to the genre’s forefather Rockin’ Dopsie, Sr., plus Lena Prima, daughter of the late great Louis Prima, who upheld his swingin’ sophistication.

Perhaps boots were a requirement to slosh through the muddy grounds and get from stage to stage on Saturday but an umbrella proved to be unnecessary. Mother Nature was a bit kinder and helped to make the second day of wonderful music and good eats a more pleasant experience. Simon and Garfunkel was the talk of the day making their first appearance at the festival. Unfortunately the duo didn’t seem to be up to the task. After seeing them several years back on their Old Friends tour, I was really looking forward to another opportunity to see and hear their legendary harmonies. However it was obvious from the very first verse on “Hazy Shady of Winter” that their voices were not up to speed. Although it was later revealed by Art Garfunkel himself that his voice was as he said a “little elusive” yet he still wanted to make an appearance. He however didn’t seem to be the only one who’s voice seemed a bit weaker than in 2003. Still the songs were there even if their voices were not. Their set included such hits like “I am a Rock,” “America,” “Mrs. Robinson” (that included a medley of “Bo Diddley” and “Not Fade Away”), “Bridge Over Trouble Water” and “The Sound of Silence.” The boys closed with “The Boxer” and the wonderful “Cecilia” that proved to be a worthy end to a very rough set.

While the duo struggled in the sun, Jim James was back behind an electric guitar fronting one of the best bands ever to come out of Louisville, Kentucky. My Morning Jacket took the stage almost exactly at 5:30 backed up by New Orleans own Preservation Hall Jazz Band (that is also following them on tour). MMJ setlist touched on every aspect of their career including a cover of Curtis Mayfield’s Move on Up” and welcomed a special appearance by Al “Carnival Time” Johnson to sing his Mardi Gras classic, “Carnival Time.” The band really stepped it up with "Highly Suspicious" with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band providing a magnificent and powerful horn sound.

Earlier in the day local favorites played the main stages and helped to get the music fans out early. On the Acura stage you could find drummer and frontman Fred LeBlanc and the band Cowboy Mouth delivering a fun energetic set. A set that included a special appearance from local actor and comedian Harry Shearer, who proved he could hold his own on the bass, much like his fictional character Derek Smalls of This is Spinal Tap fame.

Next up on the Gentilly Stage was the annual appearance of another local act the alt-rock favorites Better Than Ezra. Singer Kevin Griffin and the boys who were backed off by the Bonerama horns ripped through many of their best known hits and even find time to deliver faithful versions of Tom Petty’s "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and the Rolling Stone classic “Miss You” that had the audience helping with the "oooh-oooh-oooh-oooh''s.

He may be Canadian but don’t hold that against the 23 year old rapper and former Degrassi: The Next Generation actor Drake, who closed out the Congo Stage wooed the mostly female crowd. Through the hour long set, Drake gave a shout out to “My Big Brother” Lil Wayne and played songs that included “I’m Going In” from his EP So Far Gone that featured Wayne and Young Jeezy and closed with the Timbaland track “Say Something.”

Sunday started out with the sad news that World music pioneer King Sunny Ade canceled his tour due to a tragic car accident that took the lives of two of his band members. However over at the Acura Stage, the always enjoyable Voices of the Wetlands All Stars delivered a solid set with a revolving cast of musicians. Along with the usual suspects of Tab Benoit, Dr. John and Cyril Neville, a special appearance by Allen Toussaint who played side by side with Dr. John.

Next up on the same stage was The Levon Helm Band that also included many special appearances. Drummer Levon Helm best known for his work with The Band looked like he was having a blast smiling ear to ear. Ranked by Rolling Stone as 91 of the 100 greatest singers, Levon sadly stuck mostly to his drum playing and only singing on a few of the songs of his hour long set. Ivan Neville, Dr. John and Allen Toussaint all made an appearance on the keys but a rumor of Paul Simon (who was seen backstage) proved to be just that. Still with all that said, Levon Helm proved his legendary status and even briefly stepped away from the drums to sit in on the mandolin and singing harmonies with his daughter Amy during the song "Deep Elem Blues."

Over at the Gospel Stage the Blind Boys of Alabama proved that still had it. Many people through the years have coved the gospel tune “Amazing Grace” but the Blind Boys turned it into a religious experience. Their incredible rendition of the song along with some very fine guitar work by the band became the highlight of the day if not the whole fest. The Blind Boys closed their set with an equally wonderful rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground."

Not sure if Gregg Allman had some work done but the man looked incredible for being 62. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with the latest incarnation of the Allman Brothers Band that includes Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks proved their staying power by delivering solid versions of “Dreams,” “Soulshine” and the classic “Midnight Rider.” Gregg, like clockwork, did briefly leave the keyboards to take center stage on guitar for “Melissa” and the band closed with the crowd pleaser “One Way Out.”

If the first weekend of the marathon celebration was any indication, chances are this year’s Jazz & Heritage Festival will land in the history books as one of its best. All the action picks up right back up where this weekend left off, spanning Thursday, April 29 through Sunday, May 2 and boasting the likes of Aretha Franklin, Pearl Jam, Jeff Beck, the Neville Brothers, Van Morrison, B.B. King and The Dead Weather. For tickets and additional details, visit
www.nojazzfest.com

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