Jazz Fest 4.24 Day 2 | Photos & Best Of
By Team JamBase Apr 25, 2010 • 4:00 pm PDT
Jazz Fest Day 2 :: 04.24.10 :: Saturday :: New Orleans, LA
Despite weather reports of rain, hail, floods and maybe even a tornado, not once did water fall from the sky, helping make Saturday an amazing day at the Fairgrounds. And by the time the headliners took the stage (My Morning Jacket and Simon & Garfunkel), it was gorgeous outside with blue skies and glorious sun.
Kayceman’s Top 3
#1 – My Morning Jacket
I have seen Jim James bring rain to Bonnaroo when Tennessee needed it, and now I’ve seen him bring sun to Jazz Fest when New Orleans needed it. A powerful, moving performance by the Jacket, they touched on all facets of their catalog including Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up” to close the set. But what made this show special was the inclusion of New Orleans legends Al “Carnival Time” Johnson singing “Carnival Time” and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (who is currently on tour with MMJ) on a wicked version of “Highly Suspicious” that had this writer wondering if we might be witnessing the start of a horn relationship for MMJ similar to what Widespread Panic has developed with NOLA’s Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
Rain seemed imminent. The sky was a mean color of gray and you could feel thick water hanging in the air. And then The Funky Meters played “The World Is a Little Bit Under the Weather” and the sun broke free for the first time all weekend and the crowd erupted. Jazz-funk can get predictable and even boring, but not with this crew. They keep it deep in the pocket, grinding out raunchy N’awlins grooves that are impossible to deny. A truly wonderful set by local legends.
#3 Guitar Woodshed featuring Steve Masakowski, Todd Duke, and Jack Eckert
A rotating cast of three guitarists shared the stage with a bangin’ B-3 player and stud drummer Johnny Vidacovich. The highlight was when Vidacovich’s Astral Project bandmate, seven-string guitar genius Steve Masakowski, took control, alternating between streams of flowing jazz-fusion and slinky funk grooves that felt sophisticated yet sexy. The set ended with all three guitarists taking on Wes Montgomery.
Bonus Coverage: Late Night My Morning Jacket with Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Preservation Hall
The late night ticket of the weekend, this show lived up to the hype, earning a spot as one of the coolest, most unique music experiences I’ve personally ever had. Roughly 100 or so people were allowed into the legendary, tiny Preservation Hall for over two hours of spirit-channeling music that tapped deep into the ghosts of New Orleans. The evening began with a set by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band that quickly included Jim James singing “Louisiana Fairytale” and “St. James Infirmary” through a bullhorn, the two songs he cut with the band earlier this year on their benefit album, Preservation. Seamlessly transitioning into a full acoustic Jacket show that featured breathtaking versions of “At Dawn,” “Golden,” “Smoking From Shootin'” and a restrained, tension-building version of “Dondante” that left the crowd silently in awe, by the time the Preservation Hall Jazz Band came out for the final four songs the night had already been cemented in the history books. This was a special, special event that those lucky enough to witness will likely never forget.
My Morning Jacket | 04.24.10 | Preservation Hall | New Orleans, LA
At Dawn, Golden, The Way That He Sings, Knot Comes Loose, Wonderful (The Way I Feel), Dondante, Smokin From Shootin, Mother In Law (Allen Toussaint)*, Highly Suspicious*, Carnival Time (Al Johnson)*, Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield)*
* with Preservation Hall Jazz Band Photos of MMJ at Preservation Hall here.
Check our Jazz Fest Survival Guide for Must See Bands, food suggestions and more…
Check out First Weekend Friday coverage of Jazz Fest here.
Check out First Weekend Sunday coverage of Jazz Fest here.
Check back next Thursday for the start of our Second Weekend Jazz Fest coverage…
JamBase | New Orleans
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