After weak songs last week, Didi Benami and Lacey Brown performed well last night. Ellen’s funny comment after Didi’s version of “Rhiannon”’ was, “Yes indeedy, Didi.” Crystal Bowersox seems to be rollin’ along although after her performance she was so weak she had to sit down on her guitar amp to hear the judge’s critique. So who may be in trouble Paige Miles and Katelyn Epperly had very bad reviews from the judges. We’ll see how the guys do tonight.

People were still coming in at 7:30 when the lights went out and without any big introduction Roger Daltrey and his band walked out on the stage and he jumped into the Who classic “ I Can See For Miles and Miles”. His Voice sounded great, much better than the Superbowl halftime show. After about thirty minutes the Arena was full to the ceiling and other Who classics were getting the crowd screaming like the very popular “Baba O Riley”, the one everyone knows as the teenage wasteland song and of course “Who Are You” and a few unfamiliar songs which was the only time it made me realize that is wasn’t the Who out there. After about an hour  the roadies were already clearing the stage as Roger and his band gave their final bow. They were quick, after about fifteen minutes and before most of the older audience came back with their beers, the lights went out and I love how these old rock legends don’t need any big introductions and fanfare. Clapton just like Daltrey just walked out with his band and started playing with the crowd screaming. The first thirty minutes he turned the New Orleans Arena into a French Quarter Blues club and mesmerized the packed arena with his guitar playing along with a great band and 2 backup singers. Then next thirty minutes the band took a break and it was just Eric sitting in a chair with his acoustic guitar. He proved his title of Guitar legend by making  just six strings sound like an orchestra.  It was extra cool that the camera showing video on 2 big monitors over the stage really focused on his fingers most of the show proving not many people can do what he does with a guitar. And his voice was in tune sounding pretty much like it did on the records.  He did his “Soft Rock” version of “Layla” with the crowd singing along followed by “I’ve Got a Rock N’ Roll Heart”. The next forty minutes he and the band mixed some other favorites in like “Wonderful Tonight” and “Cocaine”. Before you knew it he was done and he said goodnight but after the usual applause for 4 minutes they came back for the Cream classic “Crossroads” then took a final bow and as the crowd screamed for more after a minute the arena lights came on and even thought the show lasted only about an hour and 45 minutes, one thing about Clapton he doesn’t chit chat. After every song as the crowd was still applauding he jumped right into another song the whole night so yea he sometimes seemed bored and I would have like to hear more “Hits” but Clapton played a lot of songs. I felt pretty satisfied watching the legend do what he does best playing guitars with a soulful bluesy style that sounded very Nawlins. So let me finish my beignets here at the Morning Call and finish off a sweet night. Pass me the powdered sugar.  

Most people especially woman don’t remember who won what the day after the Oscars but they sure remember who looked the best or worst. Stars plan for months on what designer dress to wear, what shoes go best and don’t forget about the all important hairstyle. And what jeweler designer to borrow thousands of dollars of merchandise from.  So get ready for the glamour of the Academy Awards this Sunday night on ABC. Although if your like my wife she likes the Red carpet pre-show better than the actual show.

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a… feature  film? Have you caught on yet. Yep, a big screen version of “Gilligan’s Island” is reportedly in the works. The movie version will reportedly take a contemporary approach to the classic characters and premise. What does that mean? “The characters are so good,” producer Charles Roven said, “We think it’s going to be a great story to transport these cultural icons to the modern day.” Whatever. The only thing I want to know is who plays the castaways. There’s Gilligan, the Skipper too, the Millionare and his wife…ohhh the Movie star and the rest, oh wait a minute they change it later to…The Proffesor and Mary Ann…Here on Gilligans Isle…da da da da…bomp. And who plays chiefy weefy Headhunters.

If you love Wine and Food, then you’ll love the French Quarter Wine fest going on now unitl April 15th. More info at frenchquarterwinefest.com.  But it got me thinking sometimes I think foodies are just a little too snotty about what  wine goes with which food, but when it comes to the one about white wine and fish, there is now some hard scientific proof.  Chefs and savvy diners have long instinctively paired fish with white wine, and now scientists know why.  Apparently iron present in red wine (but less so in white) brings out seafood’s fishy aftertaste.  Now if they can only come up with proof as to why I have to drink a wine I don’t like the taste of just because somebody said it goes with what I’m eating I’ll be at complete gastronomical peace.

It’s hard to imagine Karen Carpenter as a “senior citizen,” but today marks what would have been her 60th birthday. (She died February 4, 1983 of cardiac arrest due to her battle with anorexia. She was 32.) Today we remember Karen for her remarkable gift to the music world, and for her influence on so many contemporary artists, from Madonna to Celine Dion and Gwen Stefani. But we also remember Karen as she wanted to be remembered, as a good person. She once said about the Carpenters: “We want to be remembered for our contribution to music. That’s the main thing in our lives: to present what comes from within us through our music. We want to be remembered as good musicians and nice people.”

Most people especially woman don’t remember who won what the day after the Oscars but they sure remember who looked the best or worst. Stars plan for months on what designer dress to wear, what shoes go best and don’t forget about the all important hairstyle. And what jeweler designer to borrow thousands of dollars of merchandise from.  So get ready for the glamour of the Academy Awards this Sunday night on ABC. Although if your like my wife she likes the Red carpet pre-show better than the actual show.

Thanks to Family Dollar for inviting me out to the Grand Opening of the new Marerro location. We had fun Saturday meeting all of you and we gave away $50 cash cards every :30 minutes. Here’s one of our winners and me. If I’m every out somewhere please stop by and say , “Hi”. It would be my pleasure to meet you.

1. First there was the Snickers commercial that aired on Super Bowl Sunday featuring Betty White and now there’s a good chance that we’ll soon see her hosting NBC’s Saturday Night Live.  At 88 Betty White must be thrilled with all of the media exposure she’s getting these days.  Could this be the beginning of the year of the senior?  If so, I wonder who the next senior celebrity will be. Cloris Leachman was a big hit on Dancing with the Stars last year. Tina Turner at 70 just finished up a very successful tour overseas. So I’m thinking, “Who Will Be the Next Senior Star” Why not a new TV show called, “Senior Idol”. Contestants could include 75-year old Sophia Loren? She’s still great looking and she’s got that multicultural appeal that advertisers look for. How about Shirley Maclaine? Jane Fonda?  Or locally Angela Hill?   I’d vote for her.