This past Monday Nite I got to enjoy another great New Orleans music chow at the SandPiper Lounge on Louisiana Ave in Central City. The Sandpiper has been in existence for over 50 years and is a time tested New Orleans staple so much so that several scenes from the "Ray Charles" movie were filmed right there on Louisiana Avenue.
This bar has never had a steady live music act according to bar owner "Benny" until last year when Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives began playing there. Billy was loooking for a home base bar for his band and has found it at the SandPiper. Now the band plays at the SandPiper every other month to a filled room every time. The idea to play there occured to bandleader, Billy Iuso, because he would pass up the bar on his way home. Prompted by his desire to play here Billy spoke to the Owner of the bar and pitched the Idea of recording a live CD there. Not being completely sure how a local funk/jam all white band would be received by its mostly African American patrons, I believe this was an act of faith by Billy Iuso and Bar owner, Benny Simmons.
This collaboration that has grown over the last year and has turned out to be very successful. The band recorded its last Live Cd at the SandPiper In October 2008 to a room full of people.The band marks their 1st year anniversary of playing there this week. The wonderful thing to remember is this is an all Caucasian band playing to a 95% African American audience and it works beautifully. The regular bar patrons NOW look forward to the next "Billy and the Boys" show and it is apparent by their welcoming and friendly dispositions. Once again proving that music can bring us all together regardless of color or creed like the Bob Marley song " One Love, one heart, lets get together and feel alright....." and I think this is one of the reasons I love the Sandpiper. Here I am a witness to a peaceful union between black and white all for the love of some good tunes.
Their last show on Monday October 12,2009 turned out to be a great time and included many surprise guests. The 1st set included some the bands' standards like "Crankin it Off" and "Call my Job" and was finished off by guest keyboardist Tom Worrell. It proved to be good warm up and energy builder for the monster jam that took place during the 2nd set. Towards the end of the 1st set, I began to notice a procession of musicians filling the small room at the SandPiper Lounge. The musical guest included Tom Worrell, as mentioned earlier, Tom Fitzpatrick-Tenor Sax player, Jon Gross-Sousaphone player, Chris Jones-percussions and Jaime Galloway-harmonica player. All of these guys are members of various other bands around town and I knew I was in for a treat with all these musicians in the Building. Even more exciting was when I saw there instruments in tow.
The second set was very energetic and the 7,sometimes 8, pc band with all the extra sit-ins funked it up to the max. They played some of the bands' original material such as "When can I come home" and "Two Deep in the Shallows" which included a few impressive guitar solo's by frontman, Billy Iuso. The Percussion beats of Chris Jones of 101 Runners and the mighty Sousaphone of Jon Gross seemed to fit right in the groove with the rest of the band. Halfway thru the set, a very funky Stevie Wonder-Like song started emerging from Keyboard Player's, Michael Burkart's, Nord Keyboard and everyone was up on their feet dancing on a MONDAY!
The song immediately after this was an impromptu Jazz Number led by the keys, featuring Tom Fitzpatrick on Sax and anchored by the Sousaphone. Although this was a deviation from the band's normal Funk/jam/Rock vibe, it was a good segway into the ever so popular "Big Chief" By Professor Longhair. I believe one of the challeneges of any good band is keeping their audience hooked through the musical high and lows of a show. Peeking their interest in the fast, funky songs is just as important as capturing their emotions through a slower jam and Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives carry their songs all the way through.
Another one of the highlights at the SandPiper is always the fact that Benny, the bar's owner loves playing harmonica with the band. Its always an anticipated piece of the night. Benny like to "Challenge" or playfully taunt whoever is playing the harmonica on a particular night, usually it is Michael Burkart as he breaks from his keyboard but tonite it was Jaime Galloway of N.O. Funk band Juice who received the challenge. The fact that Benny is not a very skilled player does not lessen the moment because he has so much fun doing it! He transforms into a child as he blows into that Harmonica and "get his groove on" and its is truly a pleasure to watch.
The band follows Benny's performance with a SandPiper Favorite "Moving On Up" the Jeffersons TV show theme song sung by Bassist Thomas McDonald. He changes the lyrics to reflect the acquirement of his Musician's Village home in the 9th ward. "We be moving on up,,,to the East Side, in a deluxe apartment in the Upper NINE!--we moving on up, moving on up, we finally got a piece of the pie!" This tune seems to typically be played towards the end of "The Natives" show and I believe this is to end on a high energy,postive note.
For now this will have to suffice until the next show at the Sandpiper but don't look for any other bands playing here because "This is Billy's House" says Benny Simmons " I've never seen so many white faces in her before, its great". The Restless Natives are the only band that currently plays there and it seems it will be that way for a long time as the band has claimed the bar as their home base. The next time you can find the band here is on Monday November 23rd, the Monday before Thanksgiving. If your feeling like a little "TURKEY" and coke, a kick-ass R&B jukebox or if you like the sounds of "Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives" just show up that night and your guaranteed a good time.
"I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in thier universality"--H.A. Overstreet.
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