The Real Deal

[author: Kitty]

On our second night in the Big Easy, we were lucky enough to hit the 10 PM show at Preservation Hall, a place dedicated to the preservation of the authentic New Orleans-style music. We wandered through the French Quarter and stood in line with several others under the pale streetlight. We could hear the 9 PM show wrapping up and I was really excited that our family was having this unique and very New Orleans musical experience.

When they opened the doors, we filed in to the tiny room and noticed seating for only about 25 people, with a few pillows on the floor in front and standing room in the back. Jim and Drew stood in the back and Natalie and I, feeling adventurous, sat right up front, cross-legged on the floor. Tonight’s band was the “Preservation Hall All Stars”, a mix of some of the long-timers, all very accomplished. Shannon Powell, the drummer, was the bandleader and we later learned he is the virtuoso New Orleans drummer, having toured with Harry Connick Jr, Diana Krall and others. Shannon introduced the band – Calvin Johnson on saxophone, Kyle Rousell on piano, two trombones, and Clive Wilson on trumpet. These guys were the pros and we were inches away!

When the music started, a huge smile came over my face and I thought the notes of the alto saxophone might just hit me in the face on their way out of his instrument since we were sitting so close. Over the course of their 45 minute set, they played some favorites like “All of Me”, “St. Louis Blues”, and “What a Wonderful World”, along with a gospel tune and some mardi gras music. We all agreed the music was some of the best we’ve ever heard and the perfect thing for music lovers like us to experience  while visiting. Of course we bought their latest CD so we take a little of the New Orleans flavor with us and play it in the RV on our way to Texas.