Jazzfest '04

[captain_phil]

I used sharkbait's post as a sort of Cliff Notes, but here's my twist of the Last Wednsday I was picked up by sharkbait and proceeded to go to Olive Hill to pick up my other roomie for the extended weekend, Linda. I made it to Louisville without getting my ass kicked for various wise guy comments about Carrion (Carry On). Poor Linda....

We got to the Clarion and got billing issues sorted out we moved our gear to the really surprising room (great view, a stove, fridge, microwave, a bass-ackwards bathroom, and a door to a practically nonexistant closet). We then left to go forth and find some food. I was complimented by some street performers about the two lovely ladies I was strolling with on the way to Dinner. He made an inquiry involving my shoe size as we entered Port Of Call. The burgers at Port Of Call are great, as was the Windjammer I consumed. Then it was off to Margaritaville to sample some libations. I am a big fan of the "Crazy Dirty Bahama Mama", "The Jet Ski Killer", and thanks to Jeanetta, The Mojito. After I collected 6 compasses it was back to the room to recover from the flight. I had a cigar that I picked up at the New Orleans Cigar Factory, For those keeping track, it was one of these. mysticknyght stopped by and ended up in bed with sharkbait, where's Jerry Springer when ya need him?...

Thursday found us roaming the streets looking for streetcar passes and some food. After fighting off some pesky ninjas to get a menu at the Ernst Cafe, we decided that the Riverwalk would offer a more abundance of lunchtime goodness. No ninjas were at Riverwalk so lunch was peaceful, various wraps were the order of the day and we proceeded back to the Clarion. nsingman andjungle_goddess arrived later that evening and despite a private party at the Acme, we managed to do some damage to the seafood population thanks to Felix's. The entertaining captmike showed up and soon we were joined by puck_nut and Dale, more food was consumed. puck_nut and myself secured some cigars and it was off to Margaritaville for some drinks. I had a Jet Ski Killer, something else, and a cup of coffee which much to my horror was laced with Tequila and Kaluha. EEEK!.

For some reason, the past two trips to Jazzfest have always involved one night of dancing to 80s music. This year was no exception... chasing_amber was dancing "go-go" at a bar that had $1.00 Rolling Rocks. Thankfully Jeanetta didn't capture my dancing on her camera.... I'm sure it was a sight to behold.

The next morning I really should have felt much worse than I did, but was really feeling good. It must have been all the dancing the previous night. The weather was lousy, Jazzfest was cancelled that day so it was riding streetcars and walking the streets for the day. I checked out "International Vintage Guitars", and bought a shirt, then it was off to Riverwalk for some drinking and shopping, then I went back to the room for a nap. It was then off to Deanies for an abundance of Seafood and off to the Mule show.

Here's the setlist of the first night:

Just Got Paid
Thelonius Beck
GameFace
Temporary Saint
Fallen Down
Patchwork Quilt w/ Rob Barraco
Devil Likes It Slow
Somtine Salvation w/C Robinson & Audley Freed
Dreams w/CR & AF
Hard To Handle w/ CR & AF

Intermission

John the Rev. w/Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Dreams to remember w/ Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Blindman w/Karl Denson
4 My Lover w/Karl Denson
32/20 Blues w/J. Mooney??
Drums
Low Spark w/Denson
Mule

Encore:
Creep

It was an incredible show. Featuring an "Invocation" by the bands original tour manager (not Red Dog as I originally thought)

Saturday it was off to Jazzfest for some food, walking around, more food, Santana, food, and a hasty retreat due to some rough looking skies. Santana started their set a bit early. It was excellent music, but I was turned off by his Political speech. If I'd of wanted to hear about politics I'd of stayed home and watched C-Span, instead of taking vacation time, and heading to New Orleans.

After heading back to the hotel it was soon time for the second Dose of Mule in two days.

1st Set
No Quarter
Bad Little Doggie
Rocking Horse
Thorazine Shuffle
When Doves Cry>Beautifully Broken>
WDC>BB
Birth Of The Mule
Mr. Big (w/ Warren props to Andy, "Andy Hess on the bass post bass solo)
Life Before Insanity
I'm A Ram
Thirty Days In The Hole

2nd Set
One
Take Me To The River(w/ Rob Summerville, sax)
Ain't Superstitous (w/ Smokey Greenwell, harp)
Tastes Like Wine
Sco-Mule>Drums>Sco-Mule
Slow Happy Boys
Young Man Blues>Good Morniing Little Schoolgirl>
Young Man Blues

Encore:
Spanish Moon (w/ Ivan Neville on keys)
2nd Encore:
Wish You Were Here
Soulshine

Wish You Were Here was an audience sing-along, with Warren playing an Epiphone 12 string electric guitar.

We were speculating on who the man sitting backstage watching the show was, I thought it might have been Warren's Dad, I ended up being right. It was really touching seeing him singing along to "Soulshine"

The only things I wanted to hear were "Time to Confess" and "Banks of the Deep End", with a possible "Trane" thrown in.

We went to Yo Mama's for burgers after the show and wandered back to the room to rest up for Sunday's adventures.

We took a streetcar to the Garden District, browsed a bookstre and got some Coffee at "Still Perkin", then it was off to the Zoo where we were joined by Noah, Connie, and later by crystalgee, and soundwave106 . After hours of looking at animals it was back to the room to change clothes and go to dinner at Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse. Much thanks to Noah and Connie. After dinner it was back to the room for Connie while Jeanetta, Linda, Noah, and myself prowled the Bourbon Street looking for some stuff to take back. I picked up a couple of Cigars to bring back, one for the traditional post trip smoke on the porch, and one to give to my supervisor as a thank you for switching call with me gift.

At around 4 AM my third roomate showed up. A HUGE Roach, Linda managed to subdue it, and it was still on the floor the following morning. I went to the lobby for some coffee and other goodies while Jeanetta and Linda got ready for the return trip. Before leaving, I gave the roach a light kick and it was still alive, not happy, but alive. Connie and Noah showed up in the Limo to pick us up for the return flight and goodbyes were said at the Southwestern gate. While in line Jeanetta and Linda gave me pointers on what to do and not to do in case I ever get married (as if!). We checked our luggage, got passes, had some food and waited for the return to KY. There were a couple of mule fans in the waiting area, Jeanetta gave them a CD of an acoustic Warren show and we talked briefly about our impressions of the shows, then it was onto the plane and back to KY. Jeanetta, Linda, and myself got to sit in the last seat of the plane, where the cool kids sit!

We picked up our luggage, and hit I-64 Eastbound. Soon it was time to drop off Linda at Olive Hill, and back to the Ranch for me.


It was great meeting Noah, Connie, Mike, Amber, Chad, Ed and seeing Crystal again.

If I missed anyone, send me your hat size and I'll be sure to include it in a later post :)