Category Archives: USA Deep South 2018

With the fiftieth anniversary of Martin Luther King’s death being commemorated this week, I couldn’t leave Atlanta without visiting his birthplace. And while the families of certain music celebrities have created somewhat bawdy, tacky memorials, the King foundation have respectfully kept his home relatively low key and authentic, just as it would have been asContinue reading “A house, a market and a conspiracist.”

The bar tender at Max Lager’s laughs at me when I tell him how far I’m prepared to travel to see some good nightlife. I’ve tentatively suggested a 15 or 20 minute walk. “Yeah, you in Downtown, man – that just ain’t gonna happen.” And sadly he’s right – especially on a holiday weekend whenContinue reading “Making the headlines.”

There’s apparently an adage that goes “In Atlanta, they ask where you work – in Savannah, they ask what you’re drinking”. As a city full of tourists, I’d expected some half decent nightlife, but I was pleasantly surprised by the choice. As the holiday weekend got into full swing, the bars and restaurants were openingContinue reading “Pubs, squares, and puns.”

There’s an early start to the day, and ten there’s a 3am wake up call. Despite running several flights a day from New Orleans to Atalanta, Delta airlines  decided to move me to one two hours earlier than the one I’d booked. No reason was given, and with one hour wait on the customer servicesContinue reading “A rainy day in Georgia”

Most cities would struggle to persuade a couple of thousand people to show up after work midweek for what is essentially a fundraiser. Even with the incentive of live music and food. But most cities aren’t New Orleans. In Lafyette Square, a series of Wednesday gigs are put on by the Young Leadership Council, aContinue reading “Local heroes and the next big things.”

“Are you witness? We are all witness!” I could easily be in a gospel church. The preacher has converted even the most sceptical among the congregation.  But this is the Blue Nile on Frenchman Street, my third venue of the evening – more of which later.  The evening begins, though, in an altogether different setting. Whils mostContinue reading “Intimate, public and in your face”

“I’m just practising really,” says Tim. “Security don’t seem to minds me being here so I just stand up and play.” Tim is typical of them many street musicians I’ve seen performing in New Orleans over the years, with a sense of confidence and determination that people will stop and listen, and – if theyContinue reading “Bagpipes, sheds and shacks”