Day # 1:

Standout performance and our favorite act of the day was Gary Clark, Jr.  We’ve seen him before (a lot, actually) and performing roughly the same material, but he continues to be amazing.  We’re still not sure why we’re surprised every time he plays “Bright Lights”, but there it is.  We’re already looking forward to seeing him again.

We caught Dr. John on the Acura stage, and to be completely honest, were a little disappointed that his Gris Gris-era garb doesn’t accompany the new band (The Nite Trippers).  We’d hoped for a resurrection of the old headdress, and although we love the new record “Locked Down”, we want more of the funk of the Gris Gris days!

Jean Knight took the stage as the Aretha Franklin of New Orleans, full of sass, and enough self-confidence to make your ears ring.  Wanda Rouzan brought the same (but personalized!)–the kids of New Orleans would be so lucky to keep up with this Audubon Charter school teacher!

Biggest surprise of the day?  The Campbell Brothers.  We missed them last time around and expected straight-ahead gospel rather than a grab-my-hips-before-they-run-away blues act, but no.   Vocalist Katie Jackson shook everything she had, giving up her hat and shoes along the way.   Dancing and whooping in the photo pit is a no no (wrist slaps and ultimate ejection are risks), so we behaved, but it was difficult.  If you haven’t seen them live, make sure they’re on your list for next time.

On Day 1, we also caught Henry Gray, his piano skills and amazing voice not the slightest bit diminished, the Dixie Cups, and a jazz mashup with Terence Higgins, Ike Stubblefield, Grant Green Jr, and Ron Holloway.  Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 1 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 1 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

Gary Clark, Jr. performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 26, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Dr. John and the Nite Trippers perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 26, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Jean Knight performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 26, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

The Campbell Brothers perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 26, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Wanda Rouzan performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 26, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Henry Gray performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 26, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Terence Higgins, Ike Stubblefield, Grant Green Jr, and Ron Holloway perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 26, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Day # 2:

Exercised your ultimate dork envy lately?  We did, with Andrew Bird.  Where his high-pitched voice and whistle meet his world-class violin playing remains a strange and unexpectedly pleasant place.  Charlie Musselwhite is so gentleman-like and charming onstage that you want to hand the fellow a nice cup of tea and a cookie–how can a top-of-his-game bluesman be so nice?  We were only allowed to shoot his set for three songs, so we may have missed the main course, but a snack with the man was OK with us.

Dwayne Dopsie is the best zydeco act out there today, with not a single slacker in his band.  He travels with perhaps the best frottoir player in Louisiana (from Mamou) and Kipori Woods is fantastic on guitar.  It didn’t take long for Dwayne to jump into the audience, lay flat on his back on stage, swing his towel, and bat his sweat into the sky.  And isn’t it great when your best stage outfit is a wife-beater and there’s a pack of 5 for $9.99 in the store next door?   We were convinced that Dwayne Dopsie could never top his 2012 performance at Jazz Fest.  Wrong.

Jill Scott has assets we didn’t know about–she’s well-rounded, fresh, and her impromptu saxophone imitation made fun of, but didn’t ridicule, a member of her band.  The large disc earrings she wore reflected gold onto her cheeks and onto the audience.  More, please.

Saturday’s biggest surprise was Charles Bradley–we cried in the photo pit.  He’s a soul singer straight out of the 60s, except not.  We’d never heard of him and when we were doing some research after the show, our hearts sank when we learned that he worked as a James Brown impersonator for years, not having much of a “real” musical career until he was “discovered” recently by Daptone.  His original material is top notch and when you hear the songs, you literally can’t believe that they weren’t written already, way back in the 60′s.  Another absolutely must-see act with a very interesting back story.  His live performance will blow you away!

We also caught Bonerama, Lil’ Buck Sinegal, and the Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians (Hi Perk!).  Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 2 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 2 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

The Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Charlie Musselwhite performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Bonerama performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Charles Bradley performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Andrew Bird performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Lil Buck Sinegal and his band perform at the 2013 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Jill Scott performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Jill Scott performs at the 2013 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Day # 3:

Day 3 was the second worst day in terms of weather, only to be outdone by first Thursday (Day 4), so it was a short day.  We started off with a more traditional blast of zydeco, with C. J. Chenier.  We also caught the Midnite Disturbers, a name that never seems to recall the brassy supergroup fronted by Stanton Moore, that musically was the highlight of the day.  Just before the Earth, Wind, and Fire set the leader of the Houma Nation let us into his tipi, which was a life saver!  It was still raining at the beginning of Earth, Wind, and Fire, but they didn’t seem bothered.  We were a bit surprised at how much the group leans on two young male vocalists, dressed in black, to keep the tempo up, but they sounded exactly like you expect–Earth, Wind, and Fire.

We also caught the Neville Brothers and the Shannon Powell Quintet.  Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 3 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery. You can also check out all of the photos from Day 3 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

The Neville Brothers perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 28, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

The Midnite Disturbers perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 28, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

The Shannon Powell Quintet performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 28, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Earth, Wind, and Fire perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 28, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 28, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Day # 4:

The most miserable weather for Jazz Fest in the entire history of the festival–blinding rain, 6″ deep mud, and occasionally, outdoor stages with one person watching.  And yet, still awesome.  We caught Dee-1, Delfeayo Marsalis’ group, Kem, had time to be blown away yet again by Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, the hardest working harmonica in the area, Roy Ayers, Kidd Jordan, Meschiya Lake, Quinten Corvette, Jeffery Broussard, Salio, Henry Butler, Widespread Panic, Patti Smith (alas, no front of stage photo access) and Theresa Andersson.  You’re wondering:  feet hurting, after lugging twenty pounds of camera gear through the mud for eight hours?  Calgon, take me away.

Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 4 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery. You can also check out all of the photos from Day 4 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

Roy Ayers and his band perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Patti Smith performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Kidd Jordan & the Improvisational Arts Quintet perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Dee-1 performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Widespread Panic performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Salio from the Republic of Georgia performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Theresa Andersson and her band perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Henry Butler and his band perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 2, 2013.

Day # 5:

And the weather improves.  Slightly.  Amanda Shaw:  stage charisma and mad violin talent exemplified (and dig those craaaazy glasses!).  Ana Popovich, a beautiful blues singer.  Corey Henry, the powerhouse of New Orleans trombone.  Holly Williams, to mellow things out a bit.  Marc Broussard, Marcia Ball, BeauSoleil, Maroon 5, The Iguanas, The Mavericks, and Willie Nelson (direct eye contact, fantastically mangled guitar–thanks, Willie!).  Enough diversity?  Well, then there’s one of our favorite performers of the entire festival:  Brushy One String, a street performer from Jamaica who plays a one stringed guitar, beating on the body for percussion.  Fabulous voice, irresistible rhythm, all coming out of one magical man.  Brushy, you’re awesome!

Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 5 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 5 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

Brushy One String performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

Willie Nelson performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

The Mavericks perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

Maroon 5 perform at the  Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

Marcia Ball and her band perform at the  Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

Marc Broussard performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

The Iguanas perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

Holly Williams performs with her band at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

Anna Popovic and Mo’ Better Love perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

The Corey Henry & Treme Funktet perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

BeauSoleil performs at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 3, 2013.

Day # 6:

A day of Galactic, Frank Ocean, MUTEMATH (we missed the crowd surfing activity–we were at another stage), The New Orleans Bingo Show, some New Orleans hip hop, Phoenix, JD and the Straight Shot, and our favorite show of the day, Stanley Clarke!  Hey, Galactic:  A request:  Cheeky Blakk on stage, please!

Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 6 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 6 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

Phoenix performs at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 4, 2013.

Shots from the N.O. Hip Hop Experience at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 4, 2013.

JD and the Straight Shot perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 4, 2013.

MUTEMATH performs at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 4, 2013.

The New Orleans Bingo Show performs at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 4, 2013.

Stanley Clarke and the George Duke Project perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 4, 2013.

Galactic performs at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 4, 2013.

Day # 7:

The final day.  Several people asked us, “So, glad it’s over?”  Fuck no.  If we’re not going to Jazz Fest, we’re gonna go find more music, anyway–why not have it all in one place?  Anyway, let’s get one thing out of the way right now.  There’s a lot of hype surrounding Trombone Shorty, and a lot of talented musicians in New Orleans who never really get much exposure beyond the city limits.  We remember seeing Shorty when he was a baby, playing with Kermit Ruffins.   Here’s the facts:  Trombone Shorty has matured into a first class entertainer, with talent almost beyond imagining–and this is from a pair of cynical New Orleanians.  Trombone Shorty ripped Jazz Fest a new one.  He and his band created an out-of-body experience for the crowd (and the photographers!), whipping everyone into such a frenzy that we’re surprised that people go blood-crazed cannibal, eating their grandmothers, before licking the blood from granny’s walking stick/portable stool thing. Hey, for us, it was close.  A transcendental performance of the very first degree.  I hope it’s obvious that we were impressed.  Oh. My. God.  What an amazing show!   

We also saw Chief Bo Dollis pretend that he’s not the super Indian funk master anymore.  Of course he is!   Sure, the stamina might not be what it once was, but for the 15 minutes or so he’s on stage, the Big Chief has our full attention.  Funk dripping from every pore!  We loved his show and the Mardi Gras Indians are basically the only force keeping funk alive at Jazz Fest (and in New Orleans as a whole).  We also caught Satan and Adam, an unusual but talented blues duo, the Brassaholics Brass Band (in the top ranks of New Orleans brass and one of our very favorite bands), Aaron Neville, the Creole String Beans, the Black Keys, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, and Hall and Oates (who actually go back to the 60′s–who knew?).  Next to Shorty, our favorite act of the day was Wayne Shorter’s set at the WWOZ jazz tent. A fantastic show that included one of the most talented jazz drummers we’ve ever seen, Brian Blade.

Check out some of our favorite photos from Day 7 below.  Clicking through a photo is an easy way to access that day’s entire gallery.  You can also check out all of the photos from Day 7 in the slideshow at the end of the post.

The Wayne Shorter Quartet, featuring Damilo Perez, John Patitucci, and Brian Blade, perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

Hall and Oates perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

The Brassaholics Brass Band performs at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

The Black Keys perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

Clarence “Frogman” Henry performs at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

The Creole String beans perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

Big Chief Bo Dollis and members of his family perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

Aaron Neville and his band perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

The Wayne Shorter Quartet, featuring Damilo Perez, John Patitucci, and Brian Blade, perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

The Black Keys perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

Satan and Adam perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

Al “Carnival Time” Johnson performs at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

Big Chief Bo Dollis and members of his family perform at the 2013 Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, LA on May 5, 2013.

And that’s it.

Slideshow for Day # 1 (click through to see the gallery):

Slideshow for Day # 2 (click through to see the gallery):

Slideshow for Day # 3 (click through to see the gallery):

Slideshow for Day # 4 (click through to see the gallery):

Slideshow for Day # 5 (click through to see the gallery):

Slideshow for Day # 6 (click through to see the gallery):

Slideshow for Day # 7  (click through to see the gallery):

B. B. King Live in Cook County Jail

Here are some shots from the show.  Click through a photo to see the entire gallery:

B.B. King’s opening act was The Preservation Jazz Hall Band.  If you’ve never seen Preservation, you might think “music for old farts”.  Of course we have, and we don’t, and it isn’t.  The Preservation Hall band stunned the unknowers in the crowd and tore Tipitina’s down, putting on one of the best shows we’ve ever seen at the club.  They didn’t step up as an opening band–they owned the place, and the crowd, full of tourists, went crazy.  Possibly your only chance to get When the Saints Go Marching in w/o a $20 tip, so if you missed it, sorry. You can still check out the photos for free, though:

Coming up at Tips in the near future:  Maceo Parker, Trombone Shorty, and more.  Check out the Tipitina’s calendar and ticket information on their website.

Here’s the current status on Kickstarter:

Day 1:

Our biggest surprise of the first day was the Norwegian band Kampfar, with a spectacular front man who was a complete fury on stage and then incredibly sweet and soft-spoken in person, when we caught him listening to Sodom on the pool deck a few hours later.  We expected Behemoth to be great, so no surprise there. The Polish death metal band offered a polished (ha!) stage show that seemed minutely choreographed and never strayed from frontman Nergal’s imposing vision. From a photography standpoint, Behemoth was quite challenging as most of their performance took place in red light and even then, not very much of it.  We caught Behemoth again on the outside stage later on the cruise, so check those out as well.  Holy Moses was a breath of fresh, German air, with a female lead who dresses like a new wave school girl (same orange t-shirt Monday and Thursday, and it’s hard to imagine her hand-washing it in her cabin—hopefully it wasn’t the same panty hose!) and growls like the best of them.  And we spotted an Endast shirt during the Soilwork set! Along with Behemoth and Kampfar, Norwegian black metal band Enslaved were also photo standouts. Check ‘em out.

Featured photos from Day 1 (see individual galleries at the end of the post for complete coverage of a particular band):

Day 2:

Day 2 on the Barge was our longest day of music. We shot 19 bands, not even all the bands performing that day (even we need a few hours of sleep). Have you seen the photos of Sacred Reich from almost 20 years ago? We just did, and we’re amazed at both the transformation and the survival of the original band. Some of our favorites from Day 2 were Canadian Necronomicon (who we also caught at Heavy MTL in 2011), Napalm Death, Havok, Municipal Waste and Rotting Christ—all pretty obvious from the photos. Mayhem’s operatic theatricality with a front man who stood almost still during the entire set—in great make-up and with an evil grin—was a refreshing change after shaking along with Barney of Napalm Death (good luck shooting him under 1/60s) for an hour. We were excited to see Brujeria for the first time, mainly because of stand-out bass player Shane Embury (of Napalm Death) who plays in both (and more) bands, but the energy just wasn’t there and anyone who resuscitates La Macarena (albeit with alternative lyrics) probably also explains his jokes. The most impressive part of Brujeria’s set was how the guy somehow managed to get a machete on board. We brought a butter knife for our 24-hour Greyhound ride from New Orleans to Miami, which was confiscated and reported along with our passport numbers in case we ever try our hand at spreading terrorism again.  Our butter knife murder plot foiled, we were immediately offered steak knives, fire, glass bottles, and drinks with high alcohol content on board, but that’s another story.

Featured photos from Day 2 (see individual galleries at the end of the post for complete coverage of a particular band):

Day 3:

Day 3 on the Barge was a short day for music, since we docked in the Bahamas (at Nassau) for most of the day and the music fell silent until around 6:30p. Our favorite show of the day, thrash lovers that we are: another round of Napalm Death on the pool deck. We also caught Grave, Paradise Lost and Sanctuary.

Featured photos from Day 3 (see individual galleries at the end of the post for complete coverage of a particular band):

 

Day 4:

A long day of metal following our departure from Nassau. Dark Sermon, Lock Up, Havok, Necronomicon, and Rotting Christ were favorites, along with another dose of Behemoth on the larger pool deck stage.  We also caught Holy Moses again, Headcrusher, Seita, Soilwork (the crowd went mad at this show), and others…check it all out below.

Featured photos from Day 4 (see individual galleries at the end of the post for complete coverage of a particular band):

All of the photos are also broken out by band below. Click through a photo to access the complete gallery for a band, where you can also generate a slideshow of photos for only that band. We tried to catch every band at least once, but occasionally our stamina may have stumbled–apologies if you find instances where’s that true.

Finally, a gallery of some of our favorite shots across all four days:

And that’s it. See you next time!

]]> https://highisomusic.com/2012/12/barge-to-hell/feed/ 0 https://highisomusic.com/2012/11/the-best-hip-hop-show-in-recent-history/ https://highisomusic.com/2012/11/the-best-hip-hop-show-in-recent-history/#comments Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:17:26 +0000 goldenrichard http://highisomusic.com/?p=906 We were so psyched to see Cypress Hill and summary: the best hip hop show we’ve ever covered. The band delivered just the mix we expected–straight-ahead hip hop, some of their Rusko dub step work, and some of their crossover hard rock stuff. We made our personal preference clear in the previous post, but the audience at House of Blues responded to all of it. B-Real asked for people to open their minds, to stretch a bit and give the alternative stuff a try, but the crowd was already on board. DJ Muggs, surely one of the best DJs alive, did some solo turntable work (straight face throughout–this is easy?) that we’ll never forget and Sen Dog and B-Real’s delivery couldn’t have been tighter.  This show was an absolute masterpiece and Cypress Hill is the best hip hop band currently performing.

The only “problem” with the show (and it basically only our problem) was the wall of smoke, which amplified problems with the moody lighting and made shooting extremely difficult. But who wants easy?  Check it out:

]]> https://highisomusic.com/2012/11/the-best-hip-hop-show-in-recent-history/feed/ 0 https://highisomusic.com/2012/11/cypress-hill-at-house-of-blues-new-orleans/ https://highisomusic.com/2012/11/cypress-hill-at-house-of-blues-new-orleans/#comments Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:37:33 +0000 goldenrichard http://highisomusic.com/?p=903 Summary:  Cypress Hill.  In New Orleans.  House of Blues.  11/18.  Go.   We’ll miss exactly four minutes of this concert–the time it takes to be thrown out of the photo pit after the first three songs, return to our car to stash the camera gear, and re-enter as “civilians”.

Black Sunday by Cypress Hill

A lot of other people share our enthusiasm, but there are also haters and “frustrated” fans who wonder why we bother.  To understand the controversy and “disappointment”, some background. Cypress Hill has been together for over 20 years, having formed in 1989 and maintained their essential lineup throughout.  In 1989, they were the Hispanic hip-hop group and the world had never heard anything like B-Real’s crazy, sped-up nasal delivery.  Along the way, they’ve  released some of the best hip hop albums ever made–two that immediately come to mind are Black Sunday and Skull and Bones disk # 1, which would make our top 10 of all time, with III and IV not far behind.  Listen to Black Sunday, a dark, atmospheric, and intense album, and look at the cover, and you’re like, man–these are some crazy motherfuckers–lock the door!  It’s an amazing album, full of interesting voiceovers and foreboding sound effects.  And the power on Skull and Bones # 1 is a driving hazard–it ends up cranked up, speakers blown to hell, driver beating the steering wheel senseless–this is the real shit.  But Cypress Hill has also dabbled (and sometimes more than dabbled) in metal and hard rock (Skull and Bones disk # 2, parts of Stoned Raiders), dub-step (with the new EP collaboration with Rusko), some fairly silly but fun funk (e.g, see Lowrider on Stoned Raiders), and a host of other styles.  That stuff, for some people, is harder to evaluate, and their default reaction is “this isn’t Cypress Hill–it’s…” .  Thus the problem with making genre-defining albums like Black Sunday and then daring to “stray”.  Like hardcore punk fans, who immediately cried “sellout” when bands strayed from the formula, some fans want what they heard first and simply can’t grant the band any creative space.  Would we have freaked if Joey Ramone had lived longer and had a chance to try out his pop aspirations?  No printable comment.   Would we personally prefer a strings of albums like Black Sunday from Cypress Hill?  Sure.  It’s a lot to ask, though.  There might not be anymore of that, in an existential sense, although we hope that isn’t true.  But this band has already carved out a permanent place in hip hop, like Notorious B.I.G., Digable Planets, Dr. Dre. Artists who gave you something you never heard before. A little creative space is the least we can offer in return.

In the end, it’s Cypress Hill.  You (and we) are sure to get your dose of Insane in the Brain and Cock the Hammer, while giving them some space to explore. If you want to show up and help us scream “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That”, that’d be great.