New Orleans Is Waiting For Columbus – Warren Haynes – All You Can Dream
Several years ago, Warren Haynes shared a list of his favorite — and most important — live albums. Three albums stuck out more than the others, and they are the three that Haynes has mined for superb material during his career.
One, obviously, was The Allman Brothers Band Live at Fillmore East (1971). Clearly this would have been one of Haynes’ favorites, whether he had become a member or not. A second was Live Dead (1969); he also has played with various members of the Grateful Dead, most notably in Phil Lesh & Friends, and is a huge devotee of Jerry Garcia.
The third was, if memory serves, at the top of Haynes’ list of incredible live recordings. That was Waiting for Columbus, the masterpiece live recording by Little Feat, the album with Lowell George (before his untimely passing) that blew the band’s studio recordings away. It is a masterpiece, pure and simple. Recorded in August of 1977 in both London and Washington D.C., it featured the Tower of Power horns, whose addition gave it even greater punch. And Haynes is a big Feat fan; Gov’t Mule fans and those who saw his Ashes and Dust band know that “Skin It Back” has been in regular rotation (thank heavens), and he plays one wicked “Spanish Moon.”
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the album, Haynes is heading up a superstar collaboration. Blackbird Presents has announced New Orleans Is Waiting For Columbus on Saturday, May 6th, at the Saenger Theatre during the second weekend of Jazz Fest. Musical director Haynes has tapped legendary producer and musician Don Was to assist him. For the band, he has recruited Dave Malone (The Radiators), John Medeski (MMW, MSMW), Terence Higgins (Dirty Dozen Brass Band), Jamey Johnson, and Mark Mullins (Bonerama), with more to be announced.
And you can certainly count on Haynes and Was to dig up lots of surprises for this Second Weekend at the Saenger. Tickets will go on sale this Friday.
“All You Can Dream” is about to come true.
