re: RIP Pete Fountain

Woke up this morning to this news, watched a few videos of Pete Fountain on YouTube, and was struck with a great longing for New Orleans. I ate breakfast, showered and drove 2 hours to New Orleans.

Got out of my car in the French Quarter to the sound of The Natchez docking with that beautiful steam whistle announcing its arrival; I strolled into Jackson Square, where the Satchmo Festival was belting out some blues music and tourists milled around Café Du Monde, the tarot readers and street artists.

Then, I moseyed on down Royal Street and watched some great street performers and peaked inside some world-class art galleries and furniture stores; By this time, I was hungry, so I grabbed an oyster poboy at Felix's Oyster House, with jazz music playing overhead, and the guy shucking oysters in front of me boogying to the tunes.

I left Felix's and shuffled down Bourbon St. and saw an absolute freak show of people, enjoying the various sights, sounds and smells passing by each venue. Saw ole Pete's statue next to Al Hirt and Fats Domino at Musical Legends Park, with people taking pictures in front of each, wondering if they'd heard the news.

I decided to head back towards the river, and strolled along the levee and heard The Natchez again, this time playing "Mairzy Doats" on the steam organ. I half-fasted up Canal Street giving a nod to ole Ignatius J. Reilly under the clock; fell in love with a girl I saw going by on a street car, with its clanking wheels and electric buzz, and decided it was time to head on back home. It was a steamy afternoon, and you could feel the day start to shift into nighttime mode.

New Orleans is an incredible city, and it touches my soul every time I visit. Pete Fountain was another great representative amongst Crescent City giants. My day was thanks to him.