Thanks to a gift from Peter some birthday or Christmas ago, I was listening to the Manhattan Transfer’s cover of “Route 66”, a song written by Bobby Troup way back in 1946, which happens also to be the year I was born.
The song, and the story it tells, the hope for a better life and the confidence that opportunities are there to achieve that hope, reflects such a different time in US history than today.
Like many other people, I’ve been following closely the events in New Orleans, that city which has given so much to music fans all over the world, and which is such an important part of our history. Remember “Evangeline” in Junior High?
I’ve been in shock and denial about the events of this week, which are summarized by the brilliant William Rivers Pitt beyond the capability of us ordinary mortals.
I’ve never visited New Orleans, but like any other jazz or blues fan, I didn’t need to BE there to love and honor that city.
“Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?”
Yeah, I think I do.