*The
premier has been delayed, stay tuned to In Tune for more info.
The Ace Hotel brings Uptown Rulers! to Vinyl
In January of 1975 Paul McCartney brought Wings to New Orleans to embark on the recording sessions that would make up a large portion of the Venus and Mars record. The stories from this period are legendary with Macca and company drinking deeply from the spirit well of New Orleans sound while everyone on the local scene took the opportunity to drop into the studio. Allen Toussaint plays piano on one of the tracks while Dr. John came by to spread glitter around the hall. To celebrate the completion of the record the McCartneys threw a party on the Queen Mary and brought along many of their new friends for the ride. Included in this number were The Meters at the height of their power. On the night of March 24, Art, Leo, Zig, George and Cyril took the stage after an introduction from Gary Owens and delivered a solid of hour of the best live funk ever captured on tape. This recording was eventually released in 1992 as Uptown Rulers! (Live On The Queen Mary) and stands as the only published live performance of The Meters from this seminal era. Until now this performance was only available on CD and even that version has been out of print for some time. Fortunately, the Ace Hotel has teamed up with Vinyl Me Please to produce a stunning purple-vinyl double LP rerelease of this outstanding night. This is a great partnership. With this project the Ace continues their practice of incorporating the heart of New Orleans into their modern vibe. The hotel has been making waves in the culinary and music scenes since their opening last year. By partnering with Vinyl Me Please they have engaged one of the premier vinyl publishers to treat this recording with the deference it deserves. Not only is this release beautifully rendered all proceeds from pressing go to The New Orleans Musicians Clinic. Tomorrow night The Ace Hotel is having a release party with Raj Smoov and Rich Medina and anyone who books a room in August with the code VINYL will receive a copy of the record. Starting in September remaining copies of will be available in the Ace Hotel’s online shop, but the run is limited to 1,000 copies so there may not be many left. This thing sounds absolutely beautiful and is a must have for any collector of New Orleans music. Here The Meters are simultaneously profoundly confident and out to blow away the small and distinguished audience. Art’s voice is an absolute revelation. Each member of the band is at the top of his game and together they are so much stronger. Get down to The Ace and get a copy of this record. Check out the version of “Ain’t No Use” from the performance below.
PS on Aug. 26 at The Ace, mambo king Tito Puente Jr., will be joining Brent Rose's Muevelo! big band, fronted by Margie Perez. The dancers of Bookoo Rueda will be leading a free dance lesson at 9pm.
To Do This Week
Tonight Bone Thugs-N-Harmony at at Tips. Tomorrow check out the record release party at The Ace Hotel and Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes are the Free Friday show at Tips. Saturday Western Centuries are at Siberia. Monday check out the excellent Betty Who at Republic.
To Listen This Week
- Excellent new Four Tet track via CoS
- Father John Misty has released an eye popping stop motion video for “Things It Would Have Been Helpful To Know Before The Revolution” via Youtube
- Another wonderful new video from Zola Jesus via Youtube
