First weekend over, but a good long one to come
Sunday the wind was blowing and it was not typical JF hot. I started the day with a nice long bike ride and then a visit from Mom, who came bearing a Boston Cream Pie as condolences for Arlene.
I got to the Fest just as the Pine Leaf Boys were getting ready to come on. They were awesome – this video doesn’t do them justice because they were jumping all over the stage and really rocking the house. I then walked over to catch Robert Cray at the Gentilly stage but it was so crowded that even the walkway was impossible to maneuver. I was going to catch the Ebony Hillbillies but instead headed to the Blues Tent for the mist and shade and especially to watch the New Orleans All-Star R&B Revue with Al “Carnival Time” Johnson and Allen Toussaint, which was hosted by Deacon John. Very fun. When Al Johnson sang Carnival Time the entire tent stood up and started dancing.
Then it was over to Congo Square to hear Earth Wind & Fire, again Congo was packed and bleeding out into the track. I managed to get up on the first bridge from the track to the grounds and I watched the whole show with people who knew every word to every EWF song – they put on a great show and despite the crowd, it was worth it.