(Portions of this post were written in 2022.)
I've mentioned the Tipitina's Record Club a number times before. It's a fantastic bi-monthly club where truly exclusive New Orleans music is curated and released on vinyl only and shipped to your door, always containing a lagniappe that is just as cool as the record itself, like an Eddie Bo keychain or an Ernie K. Doe flexidisc. This month's release is Walter Wolfman Washington's "Feel So At Home."
The last time I saw Walter "Wolfman" Washington perform was back in April of 2022 when he was part of Jon Cleary's Rhythm & Blues Revue. Prior to that, I could always count on his regular spot at DBA on Frenchmen Street.
My favorite memory of Wolfman though, goes back to the
very first time I stepped foot in New Orleans. It was my first Jazz Fest
and I was taking in as much as possible. Overwhelmed? Twice over! It
was the end of the first day at the Fairgrounds, and the march through
the Mystery Street exit to the bus stop was almost as much fun as the
day full of music and food. The neighborhood was rocking, everyone
sitting on their front steps or in their porch chairs, trying to make a
buck either playing drums on spackle buckets or selling bottled water.
Then I saw this shotgun shack on a corner, that was leaning a bit, with a few windows
either broken or boarded up. Hammered into the grass on the front lawn,
was a makeshift wooden sign that read in black painted scribble out of a
Peanuts cartoon-
"Walter Wolfman Washington-Tonite 3AM- $5"
-with an arrow
pointing towards the shack. I asked my friends, veterans of the New
Orleans Jazz Fest if that was real. They replied in unison, "Hell yeah!"
I thought I was hallucinating. I mean, I knew all about New Orleans. I just didn't believe all I heard. But this was real. That was a long time ago, and I still regret not being inside that shack.
Washington's 2018 release, "My Future Is My Past" was a departure from the electric blues and R&B he had regularly been releasing throughout the 80's and 90's. This was a lush, smokey session, that felt more like a Johnny Hartman or Jimmy Scott release. Now, on a record that no one involved thought would be his last time in the studio, Walter Washington takes that smokey vibe a step further.
Produced by Ben Ellman of Galactic and featuring the world class rhythm section of James Singleton on bass and Stanton Moore on drums, "Feel So At Home" is a stunning swansong. Described in the liner notes as a "song cycle," these last songs play beautifully and easily, just as the title suggests. I wish there was more on YouTube to share, but the one track, the opener, is as good as any. And if you dig it, you may want to dig deeper. I loved this record from top to bottom and as it played, I was reminded that when I am in New Orleans next week, I will not be able to stop by DBA for a drink and a quick visit with the Wolfman.
The Tipitina's Record Club is here. Check it out. And if a club that offers New Orleans music exclusively is not your thing, I am sure copies of this Wolfman record, as well as all of the other Tip's releases can be found on Discogs, if you'd like to pick and choose.
11 comments:
That's a wonderful song! Will have to check out the album.
- Paul in DK
Wow, really nice. Thanks for starting the day right!
Bill
Ah regrets. You should have gone to the shack! :) That record club is the club that keeps on giving.
I am really looking forward to this. Mine is being held at the post office until we return from vacation. Planning to give it a full spin on Saturday.
Great memory of the first time I saw The Wolfman in 1981opening with his Solar System Band for Johnny Adams at a club called The Palladium Lounge on N Claiborne. I’m pretty sure they backed up Johnny at this gig.
@Anonymous - yep, The Paladium was a great venue and I saw Adams perform there several times with Walter.
I got to know Walter shortly after Katrina. He used to regularly stop at a neighborhood bar near my house and nurse a drink while playing the video poker machines. When he would finish playing poker, he would return to the bar area and just chat with whoever was hanging there. I think I was the only person who knew who he was. This was after his Rounder years and when he was somewhat languishing in anonymity. Always kind and always had a philosophical thought to impart. I'm glad that he lived long enough to see his career get revitalized.
Looking forward to hearing the entire lp. Ben did a phenomenal job with his second to last studio album (My Future is My Past), so I'm certain this one is also fantastic.
I was aware of Walter in the 80's. When the CD boom hit, post 1986, I got a wholesale license/seller's permit to economize. I lined up a bunch of music fiends and procured vinyl and CD’s for them at a small profit. It was an informal side gig that supported my habit. I made some good friends doing it. Occasionally I'd put in orders that had some of Walter's titles in them. I figured he was just another black blues guy. Never heard much buzz about him so I never checked him out.
Fact is, I never listened to a Walter “Wolfman” Washington album till 2018. I got turned on to him by a guy named Kenny after a Gov't Mule concert at the Wiltern. Kenny was a taper, just like me. Also, just like me, he liked a wide variety of music. This was the third time our paths had crossed. It was weird running in to him at that concert. I hadn't seen him since 1998 at a Patti Smith show at the Hollywood Athletic Club. Before that, I bought some super rare concert posters from him when he needed money for a move. At that time, he had recently been Paul Kantner's assistant and had some pretty funny stories about how moody and fried PK was. There was a lot of “shop talk” and we traded some tapes.
When we spotted each other in line at the Mule show we beamed smiles. We held each other’s outstretched hands and simultaneously said “You look the same.” Kenny was a completely “harmless” guy, but he was cool and he knew a lot of shit. He invited me to his place in Huntington Beach after we had some Italian food. He told me he wanted me to hear something. Then he put “My Future Is My Past” on the Thorens. What a fine, fine album. Subsequently, I checked out some WWW’s earlier releases, both live and studio. Still my fave remains “My Future Is My Past.” But I haven’t heard the new one yet. I’m hoping Wolfman went out with a bang!
VR
Damn, I was waiting for the story from inside the shack!
Love the song!
I have been a member of the club since you first mentioned it. It is outstanding and the joy it brings (and you by letting us know about these things) is immeasurable. Thanks.
I am woefully ignorant when it comes to NO music other than the tidbits I get from you. I love this song. Searched Apple and also found "Without You" which I also loved. Can't wait to listen to the rest of the album.
I was fortunate to see Walter just one time, after the "Out Of The Dark" album was released. It was a great show in a small club, he had one of the tightest bands I've ever seen. I imagine they were probably that good every time.
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