Dive Stop #1 – Newport Blues Cafe’

In my perusal to find adequate watering holes that serve up live music in Newport, I came across the Newport Blues Cafe’, just a wee distance from our vacation abode.

As I conducted my steadfast research on what live music options this infamous little cafe’ might provide, I stumbled upon the schedule for August 15th, the Friday night that some of us lucky few arrive in Newport.

And, what to my wonderous eyes do appear, but a funky little band that I hold most dear.  None other than The Radiators from glorious New Orleans, Louisiana are playing their final night of a two night gig.  For a mere $30, Shrew and I will become “Fishheads” for the night.

For those of you unfamiliar with The Radiators, they are on par with The Meters and The Neville Brothers as one of the premier bands of New Orleans.  This tour is their 30th Anniversary Tour which is captured on the their newly released CD, Wild & Free.

Here’s a taste of The Radiators:

  I Like it Like Dat

One of the greatest jam bands of all time, The Radiators fans call themselves “Fishheads” due to the band’s proclivity for fish icons and lyrics.  Their fan clubs have taken to making Krewes, in the tradition of Mardi Gras “clubs” that are in various areas across the country.  No doubt, we will run into some of the Krewe of Swamp Rat (the New England Fishhead Krewe).

These guys gig 150-200 nights a year all over the country and have over 1,000 songs in their repetoire.  Most of their recordings are “live”, with very few including studio tracks.  Also, over 500 of their concerts (with their permission) are available on Internet Archive.

These guys are real musicians with real music who we will get to see in a real dive (and I mean that as a compliment).  I’m so absolutely excited about seeing them that I’m almost over the fact that we’ll miss Aretha Franklin by one week at The Newport Jazz Festival.  They understand their business and know that the bread and butter ain’t radio and CD sales but live gigs, word of mouth and when your fans love you and your music, they pay the freight.

We’re sure to have a full report for those of you who miss this first stop, but in the meantime, here’s  a short interview and performance of The Radiators, who are evidently a New Yawk favorite, as well.

I.  AM.  PSYCHED.