Lower 911
While we trudge through pervasive 9/11 memorials today, I'd like to propose another interpretation of that infamous number.
Dr. John's band, the Lower 911 (pronounced "lower nine-eleven"), was named for the section of the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans where both bassist David Barard and drummer Herman “Roscoe” Ernest III called home, before Hurricane Katrina eradicated them.
This band, a rich gumbo of funk, R&B, jazz and gospel, has backed Dr. John for more than 30 years, and recently released an album called "Sippiana Hericane." All proceeds go to worthy New Orleans charities from sales of this touching homage to their dear drowned city.
To give you an idea of the level of the devestation caused by this unspeakable tragedy (that was 26 times the size of the twin towers). my beautiful New Orleanian friend Sylvia recently wrote,
"...last night we went around the corner to the R bar for some free oysters and got into a stimulating and heated conversation about bureaucracy. Today we helped a friend paint her classroom and we discovered how, because of FEMA orders, everything in the schools had to be thrown away. We are talking about at least 3 schools that I know of personally (that) had this mandate. One school, NOCCA had new instruments, new books, totally undamaged and the staff was told they couldn't take anything!!!!! If they took anything out of the garbage they could be arrested. It just made me sick. So much is being thrown away and all because of bureaucracy. An order was made and everyone had to follow it. Today I saw computers being thrown away. My friend, Cathy is a 1st grade teacher. Today was payday and she didn't get her check. School is suppose to start on Monday, but not by what I saw. Although the building was not flooded, perhaps one window pane was broken, they took out cypress cabinets, wooded desks and chairs. It is such a waste! Lusher was the same way - parents couldn't be called upon to volunteer over the summer because FEMA had control of the building. Everything is new. No recycling. Nothing.
Lusher started a week late, and now the parents are being asked to help finish the building because FEMA apparently does not do trim, so all the trim has to be done.
Dysfunctional, challenging, and not a dull moment around here but I still wouldn't live anywhere else in the world (yet) the music is great! Stevie Wonder jammed with Walter Wolfman the other night at d.b.a. next door."
I can add nothing to her eloquence, other than amid tragedy and incompetence, New Orleans still manages to produce some of the most spectacular music and food in our country, served with Southern charm and gentility.
You can click the link called "Pushin' Loose on the Keys" for names of New Orleans charities that won't waste your money, or buy the "Sippiana Hericane" CD and all proceeds from your purchase will go to these charities. And, you'll hear some great New Orleans "fonk" besides.
When you think 911, think of the Lower 911, too.
Dr. John's band, the Lower 911 (pronounced "lower nine-eleven"), was named for the section of the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans where both bassist David Barard and drummer Herman “Roscoe” Ernest III called home, before Hurricane Katrina eradicated them.
This band, a rich gumbo of funk, R&B, jazz and gospel, has backed Dr. John for more than 30 years, and recently released an album called "Sippiana Hericane." All proceeds go to worthy New Orleans charities from sales of this touching homage to their dear drowned city.
To give you an idea of the level of the devestation caused by this unspeakable tragedy (that was 26 times the size of the twin towers). my beautiful New Orleanian friend Sylvia recently wrote,
"...last night we went around the corner to the R bar for some free oysters and got into a stimulating and heated conversation about bureaucracy. Today we helped a friend paint her classroom and we discovered how, because of FEMA orders, everything in the schools had to be thrown away. We are talking about at least 3 schools that I know of personally (that) had this mandate. One school, NOCCA had new instruments, new books, totally undamaged and the staff was told they couldn't take anything!!!!! If they took anything out of the garbage they could be arrested. It just made me sick. So much is being thrown away and all because of bureaucracy. An order was made and everyone had to follow it. Today I saw computers being thrown away. My friend, Cathy is a 1st grade teacher. Today was payday and she didn't get her check. School is suppose to start on Monday, but not by what I saw. Although the building was not flooded, perhaps one window pane was broken, they took out cypress cabinets, wooded desks and chairs. It is such a waste! Lusher was the same way - parents couldn't be called upon to volunteer over the summer because FEMA had control of the building. Everything is new. No recycling. Nothing.
Lusher started a week late, and now the parents are being asked to help finish the building because FEMA apparently does not do trim, so all the trim has to be done.
Dysfunctional, challenging, and not a dull moment around here but I still wouldn't live anywhere else in the world (yet) the music is great! Stevie Wonder jammed with Walter Wolfman the other night at d.b.a. next door."
I can add nothing to her eloquence, other than amid tragedy and incompetence, New Orleans still manages to produce some of the most spectacular music and food in our country, served with Southern charm and gentility.
You can click the link called "Pushin' Loose on the Keys" for names of New Orleans charities that won't waste your money, or buy the "Sippiana Hericane" CD and all proceeds from your purchase will go to these charities. And, you'll hear some great New Orleans "fonk" besides.
When you think 911, think of the Lower 911, too.
posted by Kitty O'Keefe at 6:27 AM
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