9th Ward Daily Photo

9th Ward Daily Photo: Lizardi Street

9th Ward Daily Photo via rl reeves jr

Down here in the 9th Ward of New Orleans most folks know Lizardi Street for a certain quick mart that occasionally sells full-size fried shrimp po boys for an astounding $5.

Historians have a different take on the storied street. Cuban merchant Señor Don Manuel J. de Lizardi built himself something of an empire in 19th century New Orleans. It is he is who the street is named after.

If you care to do some historical property ownership research you’ll find that Lizardi owned many homes, houses and buildings stretched across our city particularly in the French Quarter.

One historical tome referenced Lizardi with the honorific Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

Lizardi passed away in 1869.

We were unable to ascertain who inherited his fortune upon his death.

If you like geeking out over the history of New Orleans street names please purchase “Hope & New Orleans: A History of Crescent City Street Names” by Sally Asher.

Field Reports, Second Line Culture In New Orleans

Field Report: 2019 Sudan Social Aid and Pleasure Club Second Line in New Orleans

2019 Sudan Social Aid and Pleasure Club Second Line in New Orleans

The Sudan Social Aid & Pleasure Club Second Line stood in stark contrast to Black Men of Labor and their contentious showing a couple weeks ago. There was no haranguing of the crowd and the men and women performers were happy to have a big crowd of celebrants taking their photos and posing for pictures with the men and women of the clubs. Continue Reading

9th Ward Daily Photo

9th Ward Daily Photo: Joyous

9th Ward Daily Photo via rl reeves jr

Our 9th Ward Daily Photo screening committee initially nixed the publication of this photo. It’s a little blurry. But after further review they decided it was eligible for public viewing.

I like it a lot, every single photo is not always going to be in perfect focus. Such is the nature of running down a street filled with thousands of people and attempting to capture the moment.

9th Ward Daily Photo

9th Ward Daily Photo: “Got a Brand New Baby”

9th Ward Daily Photo via rl reeves jr

We’re listening to “Got a Brand New Baby” by Little Mr Midnight on Regal Records this morning. This platter came out way back in 1950 and was recorded at J&M Studios right here in New Orleans. When you’re digging around the flea markets on the West Bank look for a various artists compilation LP titled “I Want To Boogie Woogie” as that will be your easiest score. The original came out on a shellac 10″ and is hopelessly rare. ‎

9th Ward Daily Photo

9th Ward Daily Photo: ‘I’m Leaving You Today’

9th Ward Daily Photo via rl reeves jr

Dig through the sofa cushions and scrape together a few bucks to buy Alvin “Shine” Robinson’s old Imperial single “I’m Leaving You Today” backed with “Pain In My Heart”

If you don’t know Shine check out what Dr John had to say about the man: “He could take it a la Ray Charles or a la Big Maybelle, but no matter how he took it he liked it ratty.”

By the way, back in the day, ratty or raddy meant funky.

Robinson had a short but hot discography before dying at the young age of 51 back in 1989.

Feel like educating yourself a bit more? Research