VOOOODOOO!!  Nawlins’ is the cradle of Funk Civilization!  I took a break from workin on my record, as well as with Matisyahu, Kweli, Res, and Bajah, to come to Voodoo Fest. It was incredible…It kicked off with my band Dr. Claw.  We had a hit at Tips’ in the Quarter at midnite on Thurs., Ivan Neville was complainin bout how Tips’ uptown is the REAL Tips’ and that he was worried that people wouldn’t show up.  Thankfully he was wrong and people showed up(whew)… We hit hit on some random Herbie song from Manchild to start off.  Just showed it to the cats at soundcheck and it was ROLLIN!  Dope versions of “Manic Depression”, “God Made Me Funky”, and “Same Thing” (Sly) also went down.  Nick Daniels is THE KILLA! He reps this city to the fullest.

I actually hit the Voodoo Fest this year as opposed to sleepin all day to prepare for my laaaate nite shows.  First, me and Kraz hit up Big SAM’s set and rocked out party style.  Big shout to Sam’s Crew for lettin’ us sit in.  After that I ran over to my Haitian brother Wyclef Jean’s show.  He was in full crowd control mode as usual, I gave errybody hugs and got shouted out to go on stage for the “Carnival” finale.  Jerry Wonder (bass player and producer of most of Clef’s biggest songs) was smilin’ and jumpin up and down when i got on drums (the happiest millionaire I know).  The whole band and crew are like my surrogate family.  Love and prosperity to them.  Also, saw the great Russ Batiste play with Leo Nocentelli (Meters) and Nick Daniels on bass as well as Big Chief Donald Harrison on sax.  THAT was a BAND…Too much Funk…HEY NA NA is my song!  After that we bolted to the gig with Marco Benevento and Kirk Joseph..  Any gig with Marco is always an adventure.  Dude is happier than most people!  Like a Dalai Lama type vibe.  Kirk repped his city by keepin the music groovin before it headed to outer space (thank goodness).  Props to Kirk and Marco.

I ended up playin a late nite haitian Kompas (com-pah) set on piano at my boy Dino’s b-day party later that nite too!  The party was vibin!  Peace to Dino and Fam….

Next day fest hi lite was Dumptstaphunk - TOO ILL!   they got this song called “Put in the Dumpsta” and the whole crowd was yellin it!  Shout out to them!  Last nite I played with Nawlins’ guitar legend Walter “Wolfman” Washington at the Maple Leaf.  Dude’s rhythm playing is FONKY…BTW.

And finally, the FOOOOOD!   Alligator poboys, oysters, gumbo, fried chicken, breadpudding, crab shrimp eggplant thang.  Whew!  Amazing…Thanks to Kim and Tim for lettin the musicians chill out at their crib..

Off to the airport…..Till’ the next episode…AD
(pictures from Dr. Claw below)