How to get people to go see Woodenhead

[swag]

The streetcar will get you from Canal St to Carrollton Station for $1.25.

[chopitulas]

This is a bit of an aside but I did see Steve Morse mentioned and was reminded of this. One night at Checkpoints, I noticed Jimmy had a pile of funny looking picks next to him and he wears one on his right index finger. He told me he had some nerve damage along the way and was having trouble holding a pick. He takes a small piece of PVC and then bends it so it wraps around his finger and attaches a pick to it with Super Glue. He said Steve Morse, who I believe he met when Woodenhead and the Dixie Dregs played together in the 90's, had the same problem and together they were talking to somebody about mass producing these things for sale at Guitar Center, etc. But, in the end, they realized not enough people have that problem to make it commercially viable.

[Jim]

The streetcar will get you from Canal St to Carrollton Station for $1.25.

Yes, I know but that can take more time than I usually have during Jazzfest especially if I’n coming from a dinner or early show. Coming from the Marigny or Bywater(where I usually stay) and I’m looking at an hour just to get there. I’ve done it before. Also, if a show gets over at 1:00 am that makes for a long ride back after a night of fun. I have had good luck running into friends at a show and getting a ride back at least part of the way.

[jjazznj]

Maybe they just don't play nearly enough covers (or Dead tunes) for today's JF crowd!

The first time I ever stuck my head into Carrollton Station over 30 years ago, some band (maybe it was Woodenhead) was playing a wacky version of Led Zep's Kashmir which we thought was so cool.

[windowman]

It is very difficult to attract people to creative music that requires deep listening.

There are precious few venues in town that afford a "listening room" environment, which a band like Woodenhead requires. Chickie Wah Wah can be that venue at times, but it can also be a raucous New Orleans club depending on who is playing. Jimmy Robinson taking over the lead guitar in Lost In The Sixties allows him to see what draws larger crowds, and that is music that does not require a great deal of the listener's attention. Alex McMurray was able to build an audience of listeners playing an early Saturday gig at Siberia/Carnaval, and perhaps Woodenhead might consider doing that, along with adding someone like Helen to add some texture to their sound. The audience there tends to skew younger and more likely are people who have never heard of Woodenhead.

They definitely should be playing jazzfest as well.

[Bluesthinker 72]

There is availability of the 80's material, if reissued it might revitalize interest via 'OZ and other outlets.

[BrettM]

Maybe they just don't play nearly enough covers (or Dead tunes) for today's JF crowd!

The first time I ever stuck my head into Carrollton Station over 30 years ago, some band (maybe it was Woodenhead) was playing a wacky version of Led Zep's Kashmir which we thought was so cool.

That was indeed Woodenhead. They played it again last weekend at Carrollton which as noted was a completely great show. Seeing them is one of the pleasures of my trips to NO. The amount of pure musicality in that band is astounding.

[chopitulas]

That was indeed Woodenhead. They played it again last weekend at Carrollton which as noted was a completely great show. Seeing them is one of the pleasures of my trips to NO. The amount of pure musicality in that band is astounding.

I second that emotion. I find it hard to understand that there is anything really difficult to absorb in their music. It is hardly "free jazz" or some esoteric form that is hard to digest. Yeah, it is intense and there are no vocals but it is melodic and tuneful as they play actual songs that are well composed and put together. There is a logic in their playing, Jimmy Robinson in particular. If there is a flight of fancy in the middle, they are good at returning to the head of the tune before it is over. The beats played by the incredible Mark Whitaker may vary from 4/4 but it's nothing that anyone with open ears couldn't digest, it seems to me.

[chopitulas]

Jimmy Robinson had his 12 string Taylor fall out the back of his car coming home from playing at Chickie Wah Wah last night. Everyone is sure hoping he gets it back.

[jonnygospeltent]

Whenever I am at a dive bar ( which may be a bit too often) with a juke I always play The Iguanas. It never fails that the place gets quiet and everyone starts dancing and they ask me who that band is and give me a few bucks to play some more. Would they pay 15 bucks cover to see them sometime I don’t know

[denbear]

One consideration not yet brought up is that Woodenhead music is mostly, if not entirely, undanceable. That's gonna be problematical in NOLA, especially regarding younger audiences. Creative, clever instrumental tunes that require your attention to appreciate? Over the heads of the masses. Good analogy, Chop, to Jeff Becks' style. Brilliant composition and performance, but brushed aside for more mainstream rock 'n rollin'. Shame on Quint for not staging Woodenhead @ Fest. Chickies' has been the ideal club for the band, for a while now. Hopeful that might continue, but the place is presently up for sale ...