The modern pop landscape is filled with examples of long-heralded music legends (read: oldtimers) hooking up with hot (read: much younger) producers in hopes of freshening up their sound and grabbing the attention of the kids (read: hipsters). Loretta Lynn worked with White Stripes leader Jack White, Paul McCartney with Radiohead guru Nigel Godrich, and the late Johnny Cash with the bearded one, Rick Rubin. A flood of album sales, Paste and Pitchfork reviews and Grammys followed.
This month, the “Night Tripper,” New Orleans' own piano mystic Dr. John, follows suit by releasing Locked Down, his surprise collaboration with producer Dan Auerbach, whose day job is singer and songwriter for recent breakthrough chart-topping blues rockers The Black Keys. Auerbach says cutting the record in a Nashville studio with the Louisiana legend inspired him “musically, spiritually and cosmically” every day.
For his first release on Nonesuch Records, Dr. John worked exclusively with a set of young musicians hand-picked by Auerbach. Together they dial back the pristine sheen of his recent efforts for a bold, fresh take on the classic Creole soul he does better than anyone. Locked Down is available digitally and on CD April 3 with a special vinyl release arriving April 21 for Record Store Day. nitetripper.com
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How to master the fish fillet
Step-by-step instructions for filleting fresh fish, which is a particularly useful culinary skill for those of us fortunate enough to live in southeast Louisiana.
Social media style
With our cover story featuring 25 must-follow Twitter accounts in Baton Rouge, and examining the growing social media site's impact on the local community, we wondered what Twitter might look like in the flesh—living, breathing, fashionable flesh. Prices are approximate, and price and availability are subject to change. (Styling: Erin Mehta)
Bad Guys, Good Eats! Pop-Up Dinner at Restaurant IPO
Chef and 225 contributor Jay D. Ducote and Chef Chris Wadsworth hosted the Bad Guys, Good Eats! dinner at Restaurant IPO Wednesday night. The dinner was themed around famous movie villains, pairing cocktails and ales with plates of food resembling famous baddies like The Joker, Lord Voldemort, Hannibal Lector, and many others. The highlights of the night were the three middle courses—a black bean soup laced with blood sausage to signify Lord Voldemort, a brace of coneys on black eyed peas resembling Sauron, and lamb medallions atop a fava bean puree to pay homage to the famous favorite of Hannibal Lector.
Summer Crush
Elizabeth Arkley Hammett, a local nursing student and Fur Ball co-coordinator, and her husband Grey Hammett III, who works in commercial real estate, will take you through our summer guide. And they'll look good while doing it, too. Where noted, their clothes and accessories are available from local retailers.
