John Hiatt -- Go Down Swingin'

One for the Boyz (Ray, DeucE & L'Man ) as the year comes to an end...

Marc Broussard -- Save Me

Another year come and gone, each seemingly faster than the one before...

Saturday Night Jam Session -- Monte Montgomery, Austin City Limits

Just what this tired ole 'boy needed after working outdoors all day...

Albany Down -- You Ain't Coming Home

Serious blues from 'cross the pond. Shades of early Whitesnake...

Peace Train -- Cat Stevens

A tune and a message for PK7, from one father to another. May they succeed where we failed, may they love where we did not turn the other cheek, may they learn much earlier than we did what really matters and may the road rise up to meet them each and every day... Thank you for the amazing gift of your friendship. Peace Brother.

Saturday Night Jam Session -- The Faces, 1971

Man, could they jam...

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Who dat makin' all the funky noise?

Band Of Heathens -- Nine Steps Down

Water rising all around your mind and Three tons of steel and four miles to go, sinking them down in the Gulf of Mexico. Nothing like finding one with lyrics that hit home...

While My Guitar Gently Weeps -- Frampton & Company

With Davy Knowles and Sonny Landreth, two of my favorite guitarists, we do have the jam session here...

L'Angelus -- River Road

To Thanksgiving and homecomings...

Galactic -- Two For Sean Over Tally Way

One for fun, one for focus... Thanks for helping Evan become the next "Jonesy" on bass. When I spy the occasional moment, it is indeed something to behold...

Eric Clapton -- Every Little Thing

Lyrics anyone?

Ivory Deville -- The Shaker

Dig the beards and the backup singers, need I say more...

Buddy Guy -- Rememberin' Stevie

No finer tribute. Seems like just yesterday and here I sit still feeling like Stevie's next album is due out any time now...

Buddy Guy, Lettsworth, Louisiana

Brought a tear to my eye when Keith Richards handed over his guitar and said "It's yours" and for lagniappe, Beth Hart offers a performance of a lifetime. Well, I'm good now...

To Love Somebody -- The Revivalists

Tour de force live and dey absolutely nail dis one...

Anders Osborne -- Smokin' On eTown

Two for DeucE...

Paul On George's Dad -- One For PK7

It was early yet when my grandfather and I pulled up to the end of the road where he told the two young workers to meet him. My excitement turned to fear when I saw the police car and the local Deputy tapping his nightstick hard in the palm of his other hand. My grandfather got out, quietly walked up close and told the men to get in the back. Next, we all heard it, "Old man, what the hell do you think you are doing?" I did not hear my grandfather's response as he seemed to all but whisper it in the Deputy's ear. The Deputy took several steps back almost as if he had seen a ghost, composed himself and waved us on as we drove off. Waved us on like he was doing us a favor... It took me about a week to summon the courage to ask my grandfather what he said on that early morn. I knew enough even at my young age to inquire out of my grandmother's earshot. By this time I had fantasized about learning a secret never fail, bad ass phrase to use on the bullies back home. Seems my grandfather asked him if he wouldn't mind getting his tools and lending a hand for we were about to be late for our job at a nearby camp where the High Sheriff waited to personally supervise our work on his most prized possession. To heroes and days gone by...

Jimmy Thackery -- My Kind Of Gospel

Just gettin' cold out over here, where's that second cup...

Anders Osborne --- 47

From his latest, seems the little girl on the cover has a message for someone I knew up until recently, couldn't have said it better, thanks kid...

Gram Parsons On Emmylou Harris & Proof Positive

To those special meetings and moments in life...

Anders Osborne & Clarence Bucaro -- Call On Me

Now this is what I would call the right combination...

New Orleans 1947 -- And So It Began

It was Roy Brown's Good Rocking Tonight for the record... Thanks for the reminder 9th Ward Jukebox.

New Orleans' Funk For The L'Man -- Galactic

This one will be playing when I pick up DeucE in a Deuce & A Quarter, from Augusta we'll cross the creek to pick up Big Ray before cuttin' back around and over to Licking County and L'Man's place. Steaks will be on me, Gents. Know that Bucket List of mine is around here somewhere...

Band Of Heathens -- As Good As It Gets

Color me a happy 'boy. Slide twice and keys aplenty...

North Mississippi Allstars -- Bad Ass New Stuff

Buckle up, hold on tight...

Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On -- Jimmy Buffett

Just nod your head...

Here Comes The Sun -- George Harrison

Anticipation...

The Mule & Special Guest -- I Don't Need No Doctor

Pedal to the metal and then some...

America & Sister Golden Hair -- One For PK7

For a friend on a cool Sunday morn...

Lucinda Williams -- Still I Long For Your Kiss

Extraordinary would be the word...

Gin Blossoms -- New Orleans, 1994

If I knew then what I know now...

Can't Find My Way Home -- New Orleans Style

Just when I think I've already seen Trombone Shorty's best stuff, what a phenom...

Gordon Lightfoot -- Carefree Highway

One of his best...

Cajun Song -- Gin Blossoms

You can't miss something you've never had...

Freight Train Boogie

Wish I could ride all day every day...

Tommy Malone -- Home

Tommy raised the roof at the Bradfordville Blues Club last night, left quite a few hearing him for the first time dazed and amazed, seems you can find his "dog on the porch with momma talkin' on the phone" these days back in my old Metairie neighborhood just off of Causeway, small world, had me sitting there watching the band and the crowd with a big ole Southern grin from start to finish...

Dave Matthews Band & Special Guest

Check the crowd's reaction, kinda' says it all...

Boz Scaggs, Duane Allman & Company

If it gets any better than this, somebody please let me know...

Joe Walsh -- One For Matt Attack

Back from a quick trip home where we spent some quality time at Matt's Warehouse, Matt tuned up Evan's new bass, set up a drum kit for me (recently played by Joey P. of Trombone Shorty), found himself a guitar and off we went at full tilt, had to be at least 100 degrees in there but somehow we made it through, even managed a Joe Walsh tune while we were at it. Many thanks Matt! This video is vintage in my book so wait for it, you will be rewarded, trust me. RIP Donald "Duck" Dunn.

And The Band Played On

As well it should, as well indeed...

Anders Osborne -- Never Is A Real Long Time

Some of the best lyrics I've heard in a long time. One to get shut of what ails us...

Counting Blue Cars -- Dishwalla

Make mine a midnight blue '67 GTO...

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. -- One For Big Ray

Had to make it a good one for a good man over beautiful South Carolina way...

Friday Night Jam Session -- Texas Style

Nice & tight, Sexton, Bramhall & Double Trouble from back in the day... And "The Top" at the top of their game...

Tony Joe White -- The Gift

From "Hoodoo" his latest CD, available next month...

Dana Fuchs -- Keep On Rollin'

There's nothing to lose, you can't find...

RVZ & Company -- Workin' For MCA

Watch for RVZ's wave to the crowd, it's the little things in life...

Cortez The Killer Jam Session - By Special Request

Warren Haynes joining Anders Osborne & Company makes for a lethal mix. Got a request of my own - Bring Back E!!!

Del Amitri -- Tell Her This

One for my birthday girl, Alexis Lily. Safe bet Mr. Paul digs this one too, hey? Roger that...

Pete Droge -- House Of Blues, New Orleans

Bad Ass Friday Night Blues from the Quarter. Leavin' on a Northern Bound Train...

Proud Mary -- Very Best Friend

One for Bella who's been filling in for the vacationing Skip, go figure...

Through Your Hands & Hats Off

My partner, DeucE, scored big for us today. Huge. Cannot thank him enough so these two will have to do for now... Turn 'em up.

Sonny Landreth & Mel Melton -- I Had A Dream

I was back down in ole 'Caroline...

Use Me -- New Orleans' Style

Hey Mia Girl, Where Y'At Who Dat...

On The Road To Charlie Parker -- Anders Osborne & Special Guest

One (Live & Studio so indulge me) for the L'Man, long may you run...

Black Keys -- $539.00 Remembered

For the two kids from Akron...

Spin Doctors -- Two Princes

One for my Alexis, just go ahead now...

Anders Osborne -- Tracking My Roots

As good as it gets on yet another overcast Sunday morn, love the line about people making him sad, guess it's one of those days...

Lake Street Dive -- Bad Self Portraits

Just something about a woman and her stand-up bass...

Mason Ruffner -- Ain't Nothin' But Trouble

Sure wish that he was back in New Orleans tearin' it up every show...

The Radiators -- Back Home

Two for ACJ, RIP on the River. We might get what we want, but too late we find what we lose...

Aretha Franklin & Duane Allman -- The Weight, 1969

Just in from a little yard work before the summer rain comes again and lo and behold, check this find - talk about perfect combinations...

Robben Ford Band -- At His Best

No doubt about it when it comes together like this...

American Pie -- Don Mclean

One for DeucE who called it a day just the other day...

Tab Benoit -- North Atlantic Blues Festival

And so they did...

Tab Benoit -- Back In The Day

Made sure to see him back in the 'Easy every chance I got, one weeknight after a blistering first set he asked me if I thought any more people would show up since you could count the audience on one hand, I remember telling this young gunslinger in from the Bayou and just starting out - don't worry, they'll come...

Dire Straits -- Planet Of New Orleans

Man, could he play...

Hiatt & Landreth -- Window On The World

Got Lyrics and Slide on this one for a perfect combination...

The Coronas -- Grace Don't Wait & Another

Congrats SK7, if you remember your Dad's grace along your next journey then the destination really won't matter...

Busted -- Robert Cray & Anders Osborne

With a touch of New Orleans...

Nicki Bluhm & Band -- One For The L'Man

Hey Steve, don't know about you but I haven't seen a better looking kazoo in quite some time...

Hank Williams, Jr. -- One For Wilson Campeaux, Plattenville, La.

This one does my heart good...

Check It Out -- John Mellencamp

Had this one on the old Seeburg back in the day...

Anders Osborne -- With My Reminder

For it's Sunday...

Michael Doucet & Friends -- La Danse De La Vie

One for Mom, nothing better than her Cajun music playing on the radio in the kitchen of the old house on a Saturday morning...

Tin Man --- America

What memories we have here, will get you singing along no doubt just like back in the day...

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue -- Bringing It Home

Met a young horn player out of Atlanta a few weeks ago in Charleston. He was not impressed when I mentioned that we had a modern-day Louis Armstrong on our hands in one Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. Asked him if he ever got to New York. Why, he responded? Told him that I would look for him when "Trombone" played the Madison Square Garden again. Might even buy him a ticket, for education is a good thing...

Ponderosa -- Old Gin Road

"Cool Hand Luke" on guitar. Why, because I said so...

Introducing Luther Dickinson

DeucE, Evan and I got to see him in action playing with Anders Osborne at the NOLA Jazz & Heritage Fest last month. They kicked it hard like he does here with his own band, North Mississippi AllStars. I just love Sunday mornings back home, got to get that second cup now before I hit replay for the fifth time...

My Kind Of Festival

That bucket list of mine is around here somewhere...

Mike Zito -- Gone To Texas

New stuff from the Z'man. Legend has it that the old folk used to carve "GTT" on the cabin just before heading west. Hope he makes his way back before long...

Band On The Run -- Nicki Bluhm & Company

My kind of driving...

Red Stick Ramblers -- Made In The Shade

Looks like some fine dancin' goin' on north of Lafayette...

Mark Knopfler & Sonny Landreth

Cheers! Another perfect combination...

Proud Mary -- The Blues

Good reason to smile...

John Lee Hooker & Carlos Santana

To perfect combinations...

Sunday Gospel On A Hill

A good place to be...

Sweet Soul Music -- Arthur Conley

No doubt about it...

George Benson -- Breezin' NOLA Style

Last but certainly not least to close out First Friday 2013, Pika and John loved it!

Band of Horses -- You Know Where

Next up - One of DeucE's favorites and for good reason...

Sonny Landreth -- Decision Rewarded

That little voice in my head convinced me to leave what was turning into an extraordinary performance by Gary Clark Jr. for the Blues Tent so that my son Evan and our friend Bobby I. could experience Breaux Bridge's own Sonny Landreth. Like this performance here, Mr. Landreth did not disappoint. He seems to find his zone right out the gate when performing at the NOLA Jazz Fest each year. He garnered standing ovation after standing ovation and rightfully so. It was a good feeling to have my son by my side and when Bobby told me that he had never seen anything like it before, well you know...

Gary Clark Jr. -- More Jazz Fest Jammin'

Next up on our First Friday, some bad ass Texas blues...

Jazz Fest Jam -- Anders Osborne & Luther Dickinson

This performance alone was well worth the price of admission, hooked DeucE they did...

Guitar Slim Jr. -- Steal Away

Next up Day 1 of the NOLA Jazz Fest was Guitar Slim Jr. at the Blues Tent with none other than the legendary Allen Toussaint as his guest, talk about the place to be...

NOLA Jazzfest -- New Orleans Suspects

Day 1 - Friday, April 26: First up for the RateStraight boyz - the Suspects took care of business getting the Fest started off just right this year...

Lowell George & Little Feat -- Dixie Chicken

Check out the backup singers...

Three Dog Night -- Out In The Country

Away from the hustle and bustle...

New Orleans' Style -- Dr. John & Professor Longhair

Old school respect warms my heart every time...

Wilson Pickett -- In The Midnight Hour

Play it for me one time...

Rolling Stones -- Bitch 1972

With horns, And the best just got better...

New Orleans Street Party -- Bonerama & Guests

Got to see Bonerama at the Rock n' Bowl last Saturday night and man, what a show...

Big Mama Thornton with Buddy Guy - Hound Dog

Recorded three years before Elvis hit it out...

Doobie Brothers Twofer

Simmons and Johnston, Quite the combo I do believe, Skip seems to agree...

Dave Matthews -- Butterfly

One for my Alexis Lily...

Professor Longhair -- On A Sunday Morn'

Home is most definitely where the heart is...

Shreveport's John Campbell -- Person To Person

Gone far too soon but before he left, "Slim" left no doubt whatsoever...

Charlie Musselwhite -- Hear Me Talkin' To You

Just my kind of Sunday morn...

Backatown -- Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

None better, no way, no day... Cheers Pierre, Go Privateers!

Tedeschi Trucks -- New Orleans Style

Ain't No Use, a Meters tune from way back, on a Friday morn in the 'Easy...

Edged In Blue -- Rory Gallagher

Here I am in the Big Easy for the week... Met a kindred spirit last night at Mark Twain's on Metairie Road, the oldest road to be found in the New Orleans area. Cheers Jacques, Go Privateers!

Lynyrd Skynyrd -- Every Mother's Son

Man, could he ride the keys...

Mike Zito -- Slow It Down Live

An amazing yet humble guitarist proud of his New Orleans' roots... One in appreciation for NB 'cross the pond.

Hurray For The Riff Raff -- Look Out Mama

From the good, the bad and the indifference, just something about going home...

The Revivalists -- In The Ring

Right at home or not on a Friday night...

Georgia Satellites -- Keep Your Hands To Yourself

That's what she said...

Clifton Chenier -- Boogie Louisiane

Thanks 9th Ward...

Mississippi Rising -- Mia Borders

You go Homegirl...

Gin Blossoms -- Found Out About You

Seems like just yesterday...

Buddy Guy -- Key Don't Fit

I'm in all in at this particular point in time, you should be too...

Ryan Adams -- Dirty Rain

Yet another brilliant performance...

Alvin Lee -- The Bluest Blues

To Alvin Lee, one of the greats, Rest In Peace.

Buddy Guy -- Thank Me Someday

All the way from Pointe Coupee Parish and a small village on the bank of the Atchafalaya. If you ever wondered who Jimi, Eric, Stevie Ray and a long list of others looked up to, look no further...

Sue Foley -- Queen Bee

Out of Canada, buzzin' Texas Style...

Levon Helm & The Band -- The Weight

To perfection all the way from Turkey Scratch, Arkansas...

Handbags and Gladrags -- Stereophonics

To humble beginnings, lest we forget...

Oh, Pretty Woman -- Roy Orbison

Just what the good doctor ordered...

Turn Back The Hands Of Time -- Tyrone Davis

From Greenville, Mississippi to the Windy City, TD's year was 1970 and this beauty left no doubt...

Happy Birthday Fats

85 years young today...

Kris Kristofferson -- One For The Man In Black

Sometimes I forget to remember...

Santana -- Black Magic Woman

On a Saturday night, might just make E's Guide to Belly Dancers...

Traveling Wilburys -- Handle With Care

One for the 'K7 Boyz...

Lost Bayou Ramblers -- In Stockholm

Nothing like this band's breakdown each and every time...

Bob Seger -- Roll Me Away

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back...

Allman Brothers -- Ramblin' Man

I'm on my way...

Amy LaVere -- Red Banks

Quite the musical talent from over Caddo Parish way...

The Lakes Of Ponchartrain -- The Coronas

Just closed my eyes and went home for a few minutes thanks to this wonderful Irish ballad with lyrics dating back to the 1860s...

Walking In Memphis -- Marc Cohn

Got Alexis singing in the background to this one. Nothing like a stroll down Memory Lane...

Ryan Adams -- Let It Ride

For Evan - one day you will no doubt see the wisdom in not being ready to go but until then...

In a Lynyrd Skynyrd T-Shirt

Just one more thing to love about Ms. Amanda Shaw...

Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday -- Tommy Malone, a Jb Tradition

Happy Mardi Gras! "Hope the weather cooperates" today for the folks back home. How Fat can a Tuesday get, boy you ain't seen nothing yet...

The New Orleans Suspects -- Ev'ry Wind

Sax anyone? The new Real Deal from the 'Easy...

Ana Popovic -- Fool Proof

One for the boyz, DeucE, L'Man, Big Ray & 9th Ward...

New Orleans, La -- On Super Bowl Sunday

Jazz Fest cannot come soon enough...

Sasha Masakowski -- Too Bad

My kind of Sunday Morn...

Bobby Rush -- Down In Louisiana

Mr. Rush just cooked it up so get it while it's hot...

Gary Moore -- Still Got The Blues

At the top of his game with this 1990 performance...

Marc Broussard -- Cruel

A little Friday night fun...

Son Volt -- Catching On

Just added Austin City Limits to my bucket list...

Deep Purple -- Come Taste The Band

What an amazing, all too brief period in the band's history...

Guitar Man

One for the RateStraight boyz, for it's about to begin...

Congo Square -- Sonny Landreth

The old folk could hear the drums over to Bayou St. John and beyond... Sonny Landreth and Dave Ranson will be performing Day One Jazzfest this year. Do yourself that favor come April 26.

Eric Clapton -- It's In The Way That You Use It

'86 was a good year...

Dr. John -- Getaway

From his 2012 "Locked Down" album produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. Dig the keys, the drums and just wait for the guitar on this one... Almost forgot to mention, the good Doctor is scheduled to perform on the first Friday of Jazzfest in April.

Gary Clark, Jr. -- Bright Lights

On My Day One Must See List - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Friday, April 26, 2013.

Tennessee Plates

Hiatt once sang that "he never looked forward to looking back" and it became something of a mantra for me. But now it warms the heart to see the full heads of dark hair and the skinny jeans from days gone by...

Sonny Landreth -- Louisiana 1927

As far as the eye can see...

Levon Helm -- Wide River To Cross

Only halfway home...

Otis Rush -- Hold That Train

A little Saturday Night Blues...

Train In Vain -- The Clash

All aboard...

Nowhere Man -- Natalie Merchant

Recall this being one of the first songs I heard as a kid where the bass rocked out, gotta go jam now, thanks Paul...

T for Texas -- RVZ & Company

"Don't let that flag hit the ground." Check out RVZ's smile when Steve Gaines takes his turn on guitar. One for my family over Texas way...

Kristin Diable -- From the French Quarter

I've got to get back home more often....

Proud Mary -- Hats Off

One for Big Ray over South Carolina way...

Shawn Starski -- For Us

With such a sweet down home feel, this cut should be reason enough to visit now and again....

Superstition -- Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray & Krewe in New Orleans, Jb was there for this one!

Roll To Me --- Del Amitri

Happy New Year!