Follow your Dreams

The Blues Boys (No Bones, Bones and Throg)

Tim Smit, Chief Executive and co founder of the Eden Project offered 2 pieces of advice, which I think is relevant to us all. Firstly stop trying to get everyone to like you and secondly when you are facing your dying day say “I am glad that I did that” rather than “I wish that I had”! This trip is about chasing at least one of our dreams.

We landed in New Orleans last night and swung into town, found our hotel and were out again by 9.30 to sample the music and the nightlife. Bourbon Street was buzzing. We listening to a blues/rock band and then some traditional New Orleans jazz played by the Shrimp Band. It’s amazing how you can be too tired but some cold beer and good music soon revives you. We eventually get to bed early at 1.00 a.m. after having been up for 24 hours and many thousand miles. Hell, if this is retirement then give me more and if this was a taste of things to come along the Blues Road then give us more.

Bourbon Street at night

The Shrimp Band

Up at 7.30 this morning and down to the riverfront. What a treat to see the slow old river heading down to the sea. After our winter it was good have the sun on our faces with a cool breeze blowing from the water. If this is April, it must get very hot here in the mid summer. The French Quarter lives up to its reputation. Its more beautiful than I expected and it’s difficult to believe that you are in the USA with such a mix of cultures, which in turn influences the architecture, the music and the environment.

As the day progresses, many jazz bands come out onto the street to play and its difficult to find somewhere you don’t hear music playing. There are many styles/genres; Jazz, Cajun, Zydeco, Rock, Gypsy and various fusions between them but new Orleans means Jazz and this what we are in search of. Jacqui and I spend a weekend every year at the famous Brecon Jazz Festival in Mid Wales but there is a certain authenticity about hearing it in New Orleans despite the fact that most of it here follows the traditional (trad) style.

Went to a great music shop in Bourbon St called Skully’s Recordz. The owners were great and very knowledgeable about the local music scene. Look them up if ever you’re in New Orleans.

Well, off for a swim and back into town for some more jazz!