Old Point Bar Ode

Welcome to my blog "Crescent City Music Soul", I intend to write, rant and praise as many aspects of the New Orleans local funk, blues, soul , reggae and Jamband scene as possible. This crazy but wonderful music scene is the heart and soul of New Orleans. Its the reason we are the #1 live music capital in the nation and probably the world and it is an integral part of my life. I feel so compelled by music that I have to express it somehow and since I am not a musician, I choose to write. The Piano Man ,Billy Joel, said it best when he stated "I think music in itself is healing, its something we are all touched by, no matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music"
The music scene here in N’awlins is made up of 3 components , in my mind, that could not exist without each other. 1st of all the actual musicians that usually play in several bands and in various different unions of other bands and do it day after day ,week after week, year after year, secondly the actual venues that host the music which are most often very historic and lively places on their own and 3rd but not least are the many lively characters that come out to support the music and pour out their sweat and energy to the musicians providing the soul vibrations. What I have realized in my life here in New Orleans and other places is that NOTHING compares to our Crescent City Music Soul. Its palpable, you can feel the love and energy thru the music that unites all of us New Orleanians. The music is interwoven into every facet of this city from the Street musicians on the corner to those at Jazz Fest.
Simply Stated “Without music, life is a journey thru the dessert”-Pat Conroy.
I typically see about 1-3 live music acts a week and this week is no different as I find myself Thursday evening at Old Point Bar , Algiers Point’ favorite watering hole. I am sitting outside enjoying the sunset and a cocktail.
It’s a happy hour gig with Michael Burkart on Keys and Chris Mule on guitar. The Toby Keith country song “ I Love This bar” comes to mind. Old Point Bar sits on the levee and looks over downtown New Orleans. This bar, like so many in the city, has a long history, It first opened at the turn of the century in 1905 as a dry goods store. Later on in the 1970’s it became JOHNNY’S Bar and has been one since that time. Old Point is known for its friendly, home away from home, Where Y’at New Orleans feel and its patrons feel like long lost relatives and friends. Young & old, Black & White, drinkers & Smokers, Music Lovers & Pool players all converge on this corner at Olivier and Patterson Streets to enjoy life in the POINT.
As the evening’s music begins, the person I can’t help notice is the elderly black gentleman wearing overalls and a straw hat selling his homemade PRALINES and everyone at the bar seems to know him. The duo begins to play their set with a blues song and the Praline man just begins to belt out some “soulful as hell” lyrics to their bluesy tune and for that moment I got the feeling that this man was really happy just to be SINGING. I know these are the characters that make up our dirty but lovable lil city and I love those characters. Michael Burkart & Chris Mule continue their happy hour gig with a mixture of songs ranging from original material to time tested New Orleans favorites like “ Love Slip Upon Ya” by the Meters, “Sick and Tired” by Chris Kenner to “Tipitina’s” by Professor Longhair. On their second set they are joined by a Sax player. As I sit at the bar, a number of local walk in greet each other and take a seat to enjoy the music and booze.
Old Point Bar has been around for a long time and is great place to find live music 7 nights a week with many local blues and funk bands including, the bar’s favorite son, WestBank Mike, Marc Stone, Eric Lindell, just to name a few. They also host an open Mic nite on Wed for those brave hearts who want to be a musician for a few minutes. The bars and music joints in this city are more than a place to grab a beer, they are meeting place for friends, they breed funky, soulful and gritty musicians and they are the first places to re-open after a Hurricane.
So the next time you find yourself in & about charming Algiers Point make sure you check out Old Point Bar where your sure to be entertained by the people, the music and the Mississippi River Air that permeates that street corner. With its friendly down home bartenders, great jukebox, colorful patrons and Classic N’Awlins flair this bar is Alright in my book. Check it out and please support LIVE music ,its the heartbeat of New Orleans. For any feedback or if you would like to be written, you can find me at lolita2470003@yahoo.com