An all-star cast of New Orleans heroes gathered to celebrate Tipitina’s 27th anniversary last Saturday night on Tchoupitoulas.
Local guitar icon Renard Poche gave a brief history on the cats that kick it at Tipitina’s.
“Tip’s used to be Club 501, and I and the Neville Brothers were the first bands to play, except not on Sundays because that’s when the KKK met in the club,” Poche said.
Tipitina’s opened in 1977 as a place for legendary pianist Professor Longhair to perform in his final years. His mural hangs above the stage and a bronze sculpture of his face sits in the front of the club as a testament to his influential music.
Within a few moments, two of Longhair’s biggest fans, Ivan and Cyril Neville, strutted into the crowded dressing room. Everyone jumped to greet them, but soon the sounds of Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters filtered in through the haze of smoke.
“Wolfman” was in his flashy diamond suit and Dorthy-esque ruby red slippers. He sang like a turtle on speed, croaking and creaking to the point that the hundreds of banana bunches, decorating the stage, appeared to be dancing.
Washington & the Roadmasters boogied out their predictable blend of funky beats and bluesy licks. The audience packed the floor, jumping about in typical New Orleans fashion, elbows and legs swinging. Even the drummer’s wife, a delightful lady, was groovin’ out.
When asked what Tipitina’s means to him, Cyril paused for a moment.
“It’s an institution, and it’s a shrine to good New Orleans music.”
And before rushing off to hit the stage he added: “It’s the house that funk built.”
He wasn’t lying.
Zigaboo Modeliste, the drummer of the Meters, sang the first tune, while playing his now famous syncopated, in-the-pocket style funk drumming. For the next tune, Cyril scuttled on the stage, singing and looking like a Voodoo witch doctor. He pranced around the banana decorations in his black leather top hat like he was dancing between the raindrops to a groovin’ beat.
Soon, Ivan, Cyril’s brother, joined him on stage. They sang together, alternating between singing back up, lead and the occasional grunt or shout.
The horn section and keyboard player added texture and melodies to the band as Poche burned through some Hendrix style solos.
The Neville Brothers and 501 Crewe were awesome, and Zigaboo played with the Meters, but the show was boring because the music was identical.
Jazz, blues, funk and soul make up the core ingredients of New Orleans music. Though the music demonstrates respect for the founding musicians and lays testament to their mark on the music world, it also has not progressed or changed one iota since its inception in the early days.
No matter how good the musicians, sitting through four hours of the same music can get rather boring.
Sammy Loren can be reached at [email protected].
