Me & Paul Sanchez. Or If You Prefer, Paul Sanchez & I

I must have had a dozen or so conversations with Paul Sanchez before we finally met. Whether talking about his hometown of New Orleans, its music or his music with Cowboy Mouth or solo, via phone or e-mail, there was something very comfortable about it all, as if Paul and I had known each other forever. I had seen him perform live a number of times, but my reluctance to accost the talent after a performance remains to this day. The time never seems right.

In 2009 I was asked to write the foreword for his book, "Pieces Of Me," a collection of essays about life on the road and music in New Orleans. This was almost 3 years after Katrina rocked Paul's world. I was honored, to say the least.

April of 2009, I finally met Paul in New Orleans to celebrate the release of "Pieces Of Me" at the Jazz & Heritage Festival. We exchanged the usual pleasantries.

"So you were born in NYC, Sal?"
"Yes."
"Whereabout?"
"Down in Soho, when it was still Soho."
"Oh, I lived in Soho for a bit."
"Whereabout?"
"Broome St."
"Really? That's where I was born."
"Really? Whereabout?"
"Between 6th and Varick."
"Really? That's where I lived."

A few more "reallies," and BOOM, Paul lived in the exact apartment where I was born. That made our connection more than just coincidence.

We don't see each other much, as my trips to New Orleans have gone from four a year to one every two years. But I woke up to this e-mail the other day, which I really enjoyed.



Hey Sal, 

I enjoy your posts so much, a twisted and comical view on rock is always welcome in my world, especially coming from someone who truly loves rock as an art form.

 

Been working for the last year with a director from New York on a documentary film about my three loves: Shelly, music and New Orleans. I heard "Another Cup Of Coffee" from a show with the Mouth at Tipitina's in 1993. I recorded a new version of this song I last did on the Mouth's first record.

 

Please pass along to as many people as you like.

peace & love,

 

Paul

 

 

 

Thanks, Paul. I think I will.

 

 

 

 

Songs Of The Week: 9/21-9/27

Willie Mays-Terry Anderson & The Olympic Ass-Kickin' Team
Mixed-Up, Shook-Up Girl- Patty & The Emblems
Good Morning Aztlan- Los Lobos
Speed Of Sound- Chris Bell
Amie- Pure Prairie League
Hang Me Up To Dry- Cold War Kids
Lost My Drivin' Wheel- Tom Rush

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"Fall, 2013" : THE WEEKEND MIX

In continuing with yesterday's personal theme of "looking for one thing and finding another," this selection of tunes began as something entirely different.

A month or so ago, someone had suggested "the saddest songs ever" as a theme for a "Weekend Mix." Ever the jolly one, I thought I'd get right on board with that, as a way to kickstart this first weekend of fall.  Then yesterday, I took a train trip up the Hudson and experienced two hours of iPod shuffle algorithim magic. While the device wasn't randomly playing the saddest songs I had in mind, it dealt me its own set of beauty and heartbreak. The soundtrack worked wonders as I sped along with the river on my left.

I was awestruck by what I was hearing. Partly because of how perfect it all sounded, at least to my ears, but also because the odd men out like The Ramones and Nazareth and Hot Tuna didn't feel like odd men at all.

I added an additional eight tunes to the seven suggested by the iPod and after a test run, decided this was going to work.

Yes, it's got that "end of summer" melancholy to it, but that's okay.

Hope this resonates for you the way it did for me.

P.S. The SOTD was also part of the train ride, but that felt special enough to highlight on its own.

TRACKLIST

Rockaway Beach- The Ramones
Holiday- Nazareth
Abandoned Love- Paul Rodgers & Nils Lofgren
Go Easy- John Martyn
Singular Girl- Rhett Miller
Oh For Another Day- Peter Frampton
Sometimes You Just Can't Win- George Jones
Sell Your Love- Iggy Pop
Water Song- Hot Tuna
Chain Letter- Todd Rundgren
One True Vine- Wilco
To Love Somebody- James Carr
Nonfiction- Black Crowes
Torchlight- Ellen Foley & The Clash
A Song For You- Willie Nelson

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I was looking for one thing and found this instead. You know how that goes.

Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint from Montreal, 2006.

Enjoy, if you have the time.

Your Wednesday Moment Of Simply Beautiful

I was knocked off my feet by this tune from Gregory Porter. It's the basics, executed flawlessly. And that may be what I find so refreshing, rewarding and moving.

I generally stay away from this particular brand of jazz and rhythm & blues. I prefer one or the other. But Gregory Porter's new record "Liquid Spirit" is special. It never shows off and Porter never oversings. He doesn't have to. There are many fantastic musical moments on this record, but none quite as special as "Hey Laura."

(H/T to cmealha)

Pick Of The Week: "John Paul Keith-Memphis Circa 3AM"

Very quietly making its way onto the street last week is John Paul Keith's new release on Fat Possum. "Memphis Circa 3AM" just passes the 30 minute mark, the way a great album should.  For his third LP, JPK stays with the same dynamite formula, mixing the best of his influences to create something simple, solid and absolutely wonderful.  The Beatles and Buddy, Nick Lowe and Roy Orbison all appear here in spirit. This has not left my turntable for the last 48 hours. Please check it out and BUY IT HERE.

Support Act For Justin Timberlake