Weeping Willow

Oak Grove Cemetery
Delaware, Ohio

These very old stones, from the 1700s/early 1800s, with the folk art and the weeping willows (I really like this highly stylized one), always put me in mind of Halloween. It's a link to the old graves of the colonial era (and the following early years of the country), the time period of Washington Irving and his fictional Ichabod Crane.

Speaking of very old stories and legends, there's the story of Marie Laveau, a Voodoo queen of old New Orleans, which at the very least, makes for interesting reading.

And interesting listening: here, Dr. John sings about her.

As long as we're on the subject, here's one I really like - Redbone's Witch Queen of New Orleans. One of the things I like about it is that you just don't hear the word gris-gris often enough, let alone in Top 40 songs.

oh my nola

oh my nola is out on the market. If you like Harry, you'll love it; his big band takes on music associated with New Orleans. I've listened to it without skipping a track maybe 20 times since I got it.

Track listing:

1. Working In A Coal Mine

2. Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey ?

3. Something You Got

4. Let Them Talk

5. Jambalaya (On the Bayou)

6. Careless Love

7. All These People (Original Recording)

8. Yes We Can Can

9. Someday

10. Oh, My Nola - (Original Recording)

11. Elijah Rock

12. Sheik of Araby

13. Lazy Bones

14. We Make A Lot Of Love - (Original Recording)

15. Hello Dolly

16. Do Dat Thing - (Original Recording)

Word to the wise: if you don't mind spending your money at WalMart, get it there. Their version contains a bonus track, "Take Her to the Mardi Gras."

The video for "All These People":



A live video for "Yes We Can Can" at Amazon

He has another one out as well, Connick on Piano Volume 3: Chanson du Vieux Carre; watch this space.

Crypt

Pitman Crypt
Greenwood Cemetery
Zanesville, Ohio


Dave Bartholomew - Junk Man

Music - Louis Armstrong, When The Saints Go Marching In

Look, I love plasticky, shiny pop music a whole lot more than the next person, but it's like with sugary desserts. Hot fudge sundaes and caramel apple pie are heaven but once in while, for nutrition's sake, you need some steak and potatoes.

Today is a steak and potato post. I had a craving.

Louis Armstrong. I'm really not sure where to start, ( here, I guess) other than saying that you should get to know him. You will like him.

This song is primarily associated with both New Orleans & Louis, it's a classic, it swings like hell. Take it. You'll be glad you did, you know you will.

Louis Armstrong - When The Saints Go Marching In