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Written by Greg Rhoades Friday, 16 October 2009 10:47
Show Reviews
My father called me Thursday morning. He was in the Tulsa, Oklahoma airport and bumped into a crew of women headed to New Orleans. They needed tips for live music. I directed them just as I would guide anyone that's fortunate enough to be here on a Thursday night: They unequivocally needed to trek to Vaughan’s for “the Kermit Ruffins experience”.
I’m so attached to this weekly offering of high notes, endless boogies, and the potential red beans or BBQ, that my wife and I bought a home just seven cottages away. Though we certainly miss being within walking distance of the iconic Maple Leaf.
In college, I appreciated the start-time of 11 or 12PM. When I got a full-time job, it only took one show to realize that jamming until 4 in the morning and heading into the office at 8 was no longer an option.
While I don’t remember my first outing here (years ago, Pre-K certainly, when the “Back o’ the Bywater” was a much different place), a lot of folks have it engrained in their memory. A woman I chatted with recalled her first time, “We thought we had stumbled upon the greatest secret in New Orleans…sweaty grooving, cold beers, and red beans and rice.” Another woman chimed in, “Three years ago. It was the first time I visited New Orleans and subsequently never left.”
Click here to see the full photo gallery!
You could see it in the eyes of a few in the crowd. First-timers of New Orleans culture in awe as the wildly decorated dive bar became overfilled with shoulder-to-shoulder (or knee-to-elbow, depending upon the dance step) sweaty bodies all jiving to the same tune.
Kermit’s an incredibly hard worker, and sometimes double-books gigs. Luckily, he has high-quality local musicians fill his shoes. Most often, it’s a treat. Though some become irked, particularly out-of-towners who journey “all the way” from their downtown hotel to see the guy whose only performance they’ve witnessed was on national TV during a major sporting event.
One recent Thursday, Corey Henry of Rebirth, Uncle Lionel of the Treme Brass Band, Glen David Andrews, and several other well-known musicians danced side by side with the crowd, sat in on their respective instruments, and honestly made everyone forget that Kermit had pulled the switcheroo. 
When the man of the hour is in attendance, though, the sets are powerful and treasured. So much so that the past few months have included visits by Green Day and Cuba Gooding, Jr., adding to the growing list of celebrities who make time to soak it up.
Last night was no different, as the writers and producers of the much-anticipated HBO show, Treme, closely monitored the scene while tossing back a few beers. In one of my photos, David Simon (creator, white shirt) can be seen looking through the glass door behind Derrick Freeman (drummer), watching the people like fish in an aquarium. Writer Tom Piazza and Producer Eric Overmyer had faces and hands pressed tightly against the glass as well, examining from a distance. Additionally, blues musician Coco Robicheaux had a few friends in tow, swilling beers on the front porch.
A few New Yorkers, led by photographer James Demaria, who is following Kermit, were filming a documentary. Cindy, one of the lounge’s owners along with partner Robyn, informed me there was a German film crew the week before, and pointed out that they were very respectful before shutting their cameras down to boogie.
Vaughan’s, Kermit, and BBQ used to be synonymous. These days, Kermit doesn’t do much BBQ’ing at his weekly Vaughan’s gig, so it’s a real treat when the Lincoln truck pulls up with grill in-tow. The smoker was loaded last night and had been sitting for 5 hours before Kermit flipped it open for the hungry crowd to feast. The porch area out front is a popular hangout in between sets, and the blood-shot-eyed crowd began gobbling up chicken, sausage, and more.
The tunes kept coming all night, with Kermit’s classics making up the majority of the play list. A few covers were played, including the Jackson Five’s “I want you back”. The music didn’t stop until a little after 1AM, and the crowd poured outside only to squeeze under the awning as rain drizzled down the tin overhang.
You can always count on red beans steaming in the side-room awaiting consumption, an unbelievable performance with old and new friends alike, and probably a cab ride home.
As Kermit Ruffins frequently exclaims, “Only in New Orleans!”
Be sure to check out Kermit’s upcoming “Have a Crazy Cool Christmas” CD on November 10th, available on BasinStreetRecords.com.
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For some reason I believe the sign was painted over? I may be incorrect in that statement though.
I hope to make it to the Candlelight Lounge in Treme soon to cover Uncle Lionel and the Treme Brass Band.