Gwen Thompkins

Tom McDermott's Memory Piano

Gwen Thompkins — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:00:00 +0000

The day we visited Tom McDermott's home, the sound of James Booker's "Classified" greeted us. It was a sweet gesture: walking into a man's home to the sound of your radio show's theme music.

McDermott knows how to communicate with a piano.

Blame it on Rio... and ragtime. McDermott has a piano playing style that smacks of sweet melodies, savory harmonies, and spicy Brazilian rhythm. And he serves up all three this hour. Pull up a chair, and enjoy.

LAGNIAPPE

The Pfister Sisters Are Pfabulous

Gwen Thompkins — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Harmony, thy name is Pfister!

This week, the Pfister Sisters sing out and occasionally act out during a rollicking hour spent on jazz vocal harmonies.

Dr. Michael White & His Mighty Clarinet

Gwen Thompkins — Thu, 30 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

What do you hear when Dr. Michael White plays his clarinet?

Can you hear the bayou? The river? The French Quarter? People sitting on their stoops waiting for someone to deliver the news? Penny parties?

Susan Cowsill: The Sound of Happy

Gwen Thompkins — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Like most girls her age, Susan Cowsill watched The Partridge Family every week on television. But unlike most girls her age, she was related to the Partridges, albeit in a Hollywood kind of way.

The show was modeled after Cowsill and other members of her singing family.

Susan Cowsill: The Sound Of Happy

Gwen Thompkins — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Like most girls her age, Susan Cowsill watched The Partridge Family every week on television. But unlike most girls her age, she was related to the Partridges, albeit in a Hollywood kind of way.

The show was modeled after Cowsill and other members of her singing family.

Sonny Landreth: Master Of The Slide Guitar

Gwen Thompkins — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

If you've never seen Sonny Landreth's hands glide over the fret of his slide guitar, you should. It's like watching someone touch the finest of silk.

Marcia Ball: Make 'Em Dance

Gwen Thompkins — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:06:39 +0000

A Look Back At Jazz Fest, Where Ages Were Made

Gwen Thompkins — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:35:58 +0000

Some music festivals are known for certain specific things; others are known for a broad assortment. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is known for everything. The city's arms are just that wide.

Every performer is welcome. This year, singer Patti Smith held a crowd spellbound in the mud just as easily as Billy Joel lifted his audience off dry ground. Jazz stylist Diane Reeves sang a Fleetwood Mac song on the first weekend just as compellingly as Fleetwood Mac sang its own songs the following weekend.

Road-tested: Stories & Songs

Gwen Thompkins — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:17:40 +0000

This week, Music Inside Out features Louisiana musicians telling stories of their experiences around the world.

Jon Cleary's Alchemy of the Groove

Gwen Thompkins — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0000

This week, we bring you that funky gentleman in the Ninth Ward, Jon Cleary, who joins us to talk about his native England, his grandmother, the piano back home, his mother's songwriting chops, and a variety of other loves.