Bobby Charles

To continue with my theme (that would be the "Waaaah I'm missing JazzFest" theme) here is the great 1972 self-titled record by the late Bobby Charles. Bobby was a singer and songwriter born and raised in rural Cajun country in Louisiana (making him less of a New Orleans guy than our last couple subjects) - Bobby had 'bayou water running through his veins.'

He is also well known for his association with The Band. He makes a brief appearance on 'The Last Waltz' and lived in Woodstock for a time. His 'Bobby Charles' LP was co-produced by Rick Danko and John Simon and features most of The Band and Dr. John as well. It fits well with the records The Band were putting out at the time, but with Bobby's distinctive Cajun voice leading the way. AllMusic.com (in typical AllMusic.com fashion) calls it "Swamp Pop." I just know it is fun to listen to and wish I around for the good times these guys had when they recorded it.

Bobby Charles died at home in Louisiana earlier this year.

Snooks Eaglin

Wanted to keep up the New Orleans theme in honor of Jazzfest. Here are a couple albums from another Crescent City legend - Snooks Eaglin:

"New Orleans Street Singer" (Smithsonian Folkways 1959)

"Soul's Edge" (Blacktop 1995)

Snooks was a blind guitar player and singer who had a reputation for being a bit wild. The two records above are good examples of what he sounded like early vs. late in his career. The Smithsonian Folkways album is just Snooks with an acoustic guitar singing his demons away. You can picture him on North Rampart street playing for change. The other record is with a full band - its lively and more of what Snooks came to be known for in the later years of his life. He just passed away last year and many parts of the 2009 JazzFest seemed like a tribute to this blues master.

Get a taste of Snooks through this non-video YouTube clip - the NOLA classic "St James Infirmary"...chilling