David Roe: Press

DOWNTOWN AFTER DARK for Dec. 27, 2007 City Eagle

BY RUSS TARBY

Christmas in Singapore,
New Year’s Eve in Syracuse
Three decades ago in Oswego, I met a high-spirited musician named David Roe.
Dressed like a pirate and just as hirsute, Roe held sway over a wild and wooly acoustic combo called the Halfway to Nowhere Orchestra. The band’s version of “By the Rivers of Babylon” resonates pleasantly in my mind’s ear to this day.

Big Easy experience
Roe had already discovered New Orleans, and he returned there in the early 1980s and quickly blossomed into one of the Crescent City’s top street musicians, filling Jackson Square with a booming voice that merits comparisons to Randy Newman and Tom Waits, with a hint of Louis Armstrong.
DR, as he’s known far and wide, became bandleader of the Royal Rounders, a French Quarter quintet (sometimes sextet) which promises “traditional New Orleans Jazz played untraditionally.” Check out royalrounders.com.
Anyhow, even when we were college students layin’ down that jug band jive, it was obvious that Dave Roe was bound to go far. Surely father than Halfway to Nowhere!
But I never pictured him halfway around the world, in Singapore!
On the eve of Christmas Eve, I received an e-mail from Dave Roe that chronicled his search for some solstice spirit in that exotic Southeast Asian island just north of the equator:

A Singapore solstice
Well, I was sitting here in Singapore feeling very un-Merry. No snow, no tree, no family nor friends. Christmas is mainly a marketing tool here. As it is in much of the world and to many people.
I played some Christmas music the other night at our Ang Mo Kio outlet's grand opening, but the only real response I got was from singing “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
“Angels We Have Heard,” “Joy to the…” “Have Yourself a…” all pretty much drew blanks. English is a third language in the heartlands of Singapore. But with “Rudolph,” all the children were dancing and singing along.
Botak Jones Catering IS selling a lot of Cajun Fried Turkeys, and I will have some turkey, dressing and Ocean Spray canned cranberry sauce on Dec. 25. I brought my little creche set, and have it set up in my bedroom. I am tuned in to Sirius satellite radio’s “Xmas in New Orleans” special, but still all in all feeling Grinchish.

Ghost money
So last night as I went out to find some good duck rice and veggies, I stumbled on a huge tent set up in a park. Inside were 12 altars (stations of the cross?), a stage with a pop band fronted by singers in spangled and glittered outfits off to one side, a table selling incense, oranges, pastries marked “prayer cookies,” and ghost money. People who have partied with me know about ghost money -- paper with gold markings you burn to send money to dead friends, relatives and ancestors in heaven or hell, currency to keep the dead happy in the after-life. So I bought a packet which also included wrapping paper and boxes to send gifts out in to the ether, put my bag of cookies and paper gifts on the main altar where a priest was dancing and blessing the offerings, before they were collected and taken outside to a big fire.
As a large drum and crashing cymbal band played, a parade of dragons wound through the crowd and confronted some characters, whom I guess represented the past, present, and New Year (He wore diapers, and had a pacifier in his mouth). There was also a hobo like guy who appeared to be drunk. With the help of a gentleman with a great cracking whip, they each confronted the demons who then gave way and allowed these holy men to visit each of the altars. I lit my joss sticks and visited the altars, saying prayers and conversing with my ancestors, my ghosts, my demons, my past and present.

‘We Three Kings’
I am not certain of any of the particulars of this gathering, as I was the only Anglo in the crowd. All I know is I was made to feel welcome. The woman selling the offerings asked me (in gestures, not words) if I was here to pray and pointed me to the $3 package, not the more expensive offerings.
The ghost money comes with different symbols, but my package serendipitously had my favorite: three guys bearing fancy boxes.
“We Three Kings of Orient Are.”
So there I am, on the longest night of the year, in a space filled with music, families and incense, just like midnight mass, thinking of how much more alike than different we all are. “ALL ONE ALL ONE,” says Doctor Bronner.
I’m thinking how the message of Allah, Jaweh, Jah, God, Jehovah, I AM WHO AM, the Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed and the Baby Jesus is the same one.
Love, forgive, tolerate, respect one another. Tread lightly on the Earth.

Season of Love
There I am in a temporary church, crying in the chapel, praying for my soul's salvation, praying for my friends, my family, those I have loved and lost, those I have failed, knowing how much I need to be loved, forgiven, respected, and how many times I have forgotten to do right by those I love.
So, whether you have just finished eight nights of candle-lighting, just finished slaughtering a goat in remembrance of Abraham's sacrifice, are dancing nekkid around an oak tree with some mistletoe in your hat, are wrapping presents for your children, drinking your way across the quarters in Santa suits, going to church, watching “Miracle on 34th Street” or feeling Grinchish and alone on the top of Mount Crumpit yourself, know that you are loved and will be remembered, always.
God(s) Bless Us, Every One. –David Roe.

Jammin’ with Hoffmann
Mark Hoffmann will host another rousing R&B jam session from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday Dec. 28, at the Inn Complete, Skytop Road, South Campus, at Syracuse University.
A few holiday harmonies should be in order, so I’m requesting “Please Come Home for Christmas” and in honor of the late, great Charles Brown.
Hoffmann’s sessions regularly draw some of the town’s top musicians, such as guitarist Bobby Green and fiddler Hal Casey.
All are welcome to attend Friday’s festivities, and former jammers home for the holidays are especially invited to sit in.
Admission is free. Compact disc raffles and a 50/50 will be conducted. For info, dial 427-3899.


New Year’s Eve in the city
Serious drinkers call it amateur night, but professional musicians all dig New Year’s Eve.
Here’s a rundown of a few gigs downtown after dark on Monday Dec. 31.
The irrepressible Born Again Rebels punk out at at Schultzie’s on the Plaza.
There’s a double bill at Bull & Bear Pub in Hanover Square featuring the Ethan Aaron Rothschilds Band at 9 p.m. followed by Caesar Fadari at 10:15 p.m.
Los Blancos digs its roots at the Empire Brewing Co., in Armory Square. It’s a $65 reservations-only party from 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m., then the public will be allowed in as well; 475-BEER.
Turnip Stampede, an Ithaca jam band, plays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.
On the North Side, Mimi’s Music Makers, led by the indefatigable keyboardist Mimi Osmun, plays tunes from the Great American Songbook and jazz standards from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., at Weber’s Restaurant, 820 Danforth St., at the corner of First North Street.

President Paul?
Graffito scratched above the men’s urinal at Weber’s Restaurant:
“Ron Paul in 08.”

Jug Band Renegade...Irrepressible,,, Unforgettable

A knuckle fingered psycho piano player dressed for a costume ball

R e a d e r
�The Royal Rounders charismatic style and upbeat stage presence epitomizes blithe New Orleans spirit. Led by pianist/vocalist and raconteur, David Roe, the quintet�s extensive songbook is filled with a frothy blend of R&B traditional New Orleans songs and blues. Roe certainly knows how to woo an audience, via his charming between-song banter and rollicking piano performances, -

“D.R.’s best effort - and we REALLY like this guy. We like him because he’s got the balls to mix New Orleans genres - this CD is heavy on trad jazz but throws in some New Orleans folk (yes, there is such a thing) with damn pleasing results. D.R. and company pull off an especially moving version of Steve Goodman’s “City Of New Orleans” - particularly poignant when you consider that David and his wife survived that very train’s tragic crash in Decatur, Illinois in the summer of 99. The band here is stellar including legendary New Orleans cornetist Jack Fine whose resume includes gigs at Condon’s and Jimmy Ryan’s among others and has played with some of the luminaries in the biz. An absolute treat, this CD you won’t find at the local mall. Locally produced and distributed; get it here or get it at one of David’s shows. Tell him Louie sent you.”

David Roe is lucky to be alive. On March 15, 1999 he and his wife Laura were passengers on the "City of New Orleans" train that derailed, crashed and burned in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Eleven people lost their lives in that wreck but Roe survived and returned to New Orleans, recording this CD seven months later. A portion of the proceeds from the album are being donated to rescue agencies whose workers pulled the Roes and other passengers from the wreckage and helped them recover from their injuries. As a tribute to them, the album includes Roe's rollicking version of Arlo Guthrie's "City of New Orleans," complete with the lively bluegrass sounds of Thomas Nuendel's fiddle and Jim Hancock's mandolin. The album consists of mostly standards done in Dixieland style, among them "When You're Smiling," "Bye Bye Blues," "Back in Your Own Back Yard" and, of course, the obligatory "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey." For the most part, this is straight-up, hand-clapping, toe-tapping New Orleans brass band fare. Roe's ensemble spans the generations, including 72 year-old Jack Fine blowing up a storm on cornet and singing lead on two of the tracks. Roe's growling rendition of "Old Man River" isn't likely to make anyone forget Paul Robeson's signature version of the Kern/Hammerstein classic from "Show Boat," nor is his treatment of "Dream a Little Dream of Me" likely to make anyone forget Mama Cass Elliot's sultry swan song. Nonetheless, this is a feel-good album. You can't listen to it and sit still, which means that its purpose is being accomplished.

"If you are wandering the New Orleans French Quarter streets, you likely will come upon what seems a statue of an angel, all in white and with chalked face and hands. She stands stock-still until someone drops a donation in the cup at her feet. Then the angel moves, ever so gently, and offers a smile for all to enjoy. The angel is just one of the many street performers gracing the French Quarter and offering all a taste of the city's unique culture. David Roe and his juke joint piano is another. The City Government of New Orleans has tried many times to shut the street performers down. Even though they are one of the main tourist attractions there. It has something to do with permits and fees and who you know. Everything is not always logical in the Crescent City. But to date, the street musicians are still alive and playing every day. David Roe is one of the most prominent. I first saw David Roe playing his piano in the middle of a side street in the French Quarter. He had gathered quite an audience when some guy in a hurry began to honk his horn to get past. David reluctantly left his piano stool and walked over to the impatient fellow's car. A few quiet words were exchanged and the guy backed up down the street.The crowd cheered and the piano music resumed. Things often work out fine if you give them enough time and don't panic. Thats the message of this warm and joyous new CD from David Roe and friends. It celebrates the near-miracle of David's survival, alongside his wife, Laura, of a March, 1999 fiery Illinois train derailment, and this CD's sales will benefit rescue agencies who saved the Roe's lives a great cause, but it's the music itself that makes this CD worth having . R e c o r d ed live in New Orleans last November, "Angel of New Orleans" mixes trad jazz, ("When You're Smiling", ""Bye Bye Blues"), with New Orleans folk, (Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans"). The effect is very nice. Roe's brass band includes 72-year old cornet legend Jack Fine, and the sound is augmented by bluegrass fiddle (Tom Nuendel) and mandolin (Jim Hancock) for a very unique flavor. Great vocals and piano by Roe and a carny-dream atmosphere to this CD that will have you up on your feet and dancing, with a smile, whatever the weather may be! A very fun record . . "

If you like Leon Redbone, Tom Waits or the more folky side of Ry Cooder, I would recommend Angel Of New Orleans. There’s a good time feel and excellent piano from David Roe.

If there’s a theme at all from traditional jazz lion and occasional folkie, David Roe, it’s that these selections can be thought of as Crescent City healing music. In 1999, Roe was in a train wreck and relied on the tune’s medicinal power to pull him through. When you hear them, it’s not hard to imagine why. Several are swing trad jazz featuring wailing clarinet, boisterous trombone, and in general, extremely spirited playing from a tough Dixieland ensemble that includes legend jack Fine on cornet. Roe’s other personality is one of a Bourbon Street entertainer and when he plays piano and croons in a natural uncontrived Louis Armstrong –like voice. If you know what it means to miss New Orleans, as the old standard goes, then these tunes can heal that, too.

***1/2 Mr. Roe is a one man band (sic), employing piano, guitar, ukulele, drums and kazoo for his spirited renditions of classics like St. James Infirmary. One of the French Quarter’s most visible street performers, and Roe’s respect for TomWaits come through strongly. (Jordan)

For long time street musician and busker David Roe, it’s been a long trip from upstate New York to the streets of New Orleans. This disc documents the last 18 years of this musical journey. This is jug band stuff with Uptown attitude: Sunny Side of The Street, St. James Infirmary, Copper kettle and San Francisco Bay Blues illustrate why it is said that Roe’s performances are among the few things drunken tourists actually remember from their visit to New Orleans.