Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (Louis Armstrong)

It's official. I have fallen in love with a city. And not just the city, but the people in the city. What makes New Orleans so different is not only the culture, food, architecture, and music, but that everyone in this city has a story to tell. From college students, little kids to the homeless, everyone here has something to say and I love that. This has always been my second home growing up, coming here every winter for 18 years, but now this is my first home and I realize now that it always has been. The photo to the right was taken by my friend Chase Chênevert who captures the city better than anyone I know. He focuses on the Gothic beauty of the city and all its idiosyncrasies.



On April 20, 2010, I like to say that day was when it truly hit me. Now, I don't do anything without my two better halves - Murphy and Danny - because thanks to Christopher McCandless "happiness is only real when shared". The three of us were feeling exceptionally New Orleansy so in the in the heat of the moment, we gathered the things necessary for this adventure and later found ourselves sitting on the side of the Mississippi River, eating 15 pounds of Louisiana crawfish, drinking traditional Louisiana beverages while listening to Louis Armstrong as the sun was setting (see picture above). It was then that I realized why I came here. And of all years to come live here, the year HBO made a tv series about New Orleans, the year Disney made a princess movie about New Orleans, the year Mardi Gras was bigger than any other year and the year the Saints won the Super Bowl!

This video is from Galactic's new album "Ya-Kay-May" (get it if you don't have it already). I love Galactic 1) cause Stanton Moore not only is a damn fine drummer but is a Loyola graduate 2) the other part of the band graduated from Tulane 3) they love New Orleans and don't forget that this is where they originated from. Nonetheless, this song is awesome:




and this video is just awesome:



Starting August 1, 2010 I will officially be a permanent resident of this amazing city. People say that it's easy to get stuck in New Orleans, but I'd rather be stuck here than anywhere else. This playlist is a combination of traditional New Orleans ballads, songs about New Orleans, and songs performed by New Orleans musicians. The first song is the introduction on Galactic's album "Coolin Off" and in just a few words, they sum up the essence of New Orleans. Take a listen and in true New Orleans fashion Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler