Hell's Kitchen Radio #587: From Hell To Eternity

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I just got back from New Orleans with my daughter, Spawn of Hell. We were there celebrating her 21st birthday, and I could not think of a better place to take her. I love this town! So much great music and food. The weather wasn't too hot or humid, the beignets were powdery and fluffy, the cocktails were flowing, the gumbo was steamy and the crawfish étouffée was delightful.

NOLA is a walking town, and we put that to the test. We walked 10
miles on Saturday and another 7 on Sunday. Most of our walking was through the French Quarter, as well as up and down Frenchmen Street hitting up as many of the clubs as we could.

I think my finest memory will always be us walking towards Frenchmen Street and she says she hears a band that sounds familiar in the distance. We walk towards the music and it turns out to be one of her favorite bands of the past couple years: Dirty Rotten Vipers. She was over the moon! They were playing on the street and the crowd was very enthusiastic. We also made our way over to the Blue Nile, a club I like to visit when I'm in town. This is the same club I met my brother-from-another-mother, and brilliant singer/songwriter Adam Mackintosh. I shared that story here and it's worth your time.  

I digress.

The band was a funk/jazz ensemble that featured a drummer that was getting pretty lit, but never dropped
the beat. The main cat, who played trombone and sang, asked for anyone celebrating a birthday to get on stage, so Spawn and four other women made their way up while the band celebrated them all. Just look at that smile on her face!

We spent some time in Algiers Point, where Memphis Minnie lived and wrote "When the Levee Breaks", which I open the show with.

Did you know the first pharmacy in the United States was in New Orleans? I didn't know this either. They have a museum in its place now. We took the tour. We also toured the Museum of Death. If you like serial killers this place is for you! We were hoping for a bit more science-related information around death, but alas, sensationalism ruled the day. We also went to an excellent haunted house inside a former mortuary. I give it four stars. If I was a teenager that hadn't seen as many horror films as I have, I would have been scared out of my wits. All that said, we were spooked good. Spawn insisted that she go in front during the three floor tour, knowing that a jump scare was expected around every corner. They were good for that.

I've been wanting to take my daughter to NOLA for her 21st birthday since she was 12, and we're both so happy we went. Excellent people, food, music, drink and views. It's a beautiful city. Get there. Have fun. You're welcome. More pictures at the bottom of this post.

My first hour was inspired by our trip, but is in no way NOAL-exclusive. Lots of roots, blues, soul, jazz, hiphop and funk, before I segue to some singer/songwriter, Americana/Punk, lo-fi, and a tribute to Donna Jean Godchaux, the former singer from the Grateful Dead (1972-1979) who passed away last week. I got to meet her when Jerry died. Her son Zion used to date a dear friend of mine, and when Jerry died, Donna came for the memorial in Golden Gate Park and we all went together. I write about it here.

Go on and enjoy the music. That's really all what it get to: the music.

jh

Hell's Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF
http://radiovalencia.fm

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When The Levee Breaks: Memphis Minnie (Blues Classics By Memphis Minnie - Arhoolie Records)
Left Me A Mule To Ride: Big Joe Williams (Tough Times - 1959)
Frankie and Albert: Taj Mahal (Ooh, So Good 'n Blues - 1973)

Black Is: Last Poets (MOJO: Revolution Blues - 2018)
Munaye: Mulatu Astatke (Mulatu of Ethiopia - 1972)

Redebe: Johnny Dyani (Witchdoctor's Son - 1978)
Flute Loop: Beastie Boys (Ill Communication - 1994)
Kon Karne: MF Doom (Mmm Food - 2007)
Anti Love Song: Betty Davis (S/T - 1973)

Jesus Christ: Bob Dylan (Through the Open Window: The Bootleg Series Vol. 18 - 2025)
Corrina, Corrina: Bob Dylan (Through the Open Window: The Bootleg Series Vol. 18 - 2025)

Every Grain of Sand: Giant Sand (Swerve - 1990)
A Change Is Gonna Come: The Gits (Enter: The Conquering Chicken - 1993)
From Her to Eternity: Nick Cave (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - 1984)

Sway: Chrissie Hynde and Lucinda Williams (Duets Special - 2025)
The Girls Are Naked: The Creation (Action Painting - 2017)
Keep Your Big Mouth Shut: Thee Headcoatees (Here Comes Cessation - 1997)

Sunrise: Grateful Dead (In tribute to Donna Jean - May 26, 1977)
The Music Never Stopped: Grateful Dead - April 24, 1978)

Salsa Verde: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Pogo Rodeo - 2025)
Spanish Fly: Boss Hog (Drinkin' Lechin' and Lyin' - 1989)

Respect: Aretha Franklin (Live At The Fillmore East - 1971)