Treme s04e05 Episode Script
…To Miss New Orleans
You get me on that stand, I will lay these mothers out.
I'll let you know, Lieutenant.
Who's the second line today? - *** - I'm a New Orleans musician.
I'll play 'til I ain't got no gigs still standing.
If I died tomorrow, what would I leave behind? What about your record label? You started that, that's a legacy.
What if I opened a club? You wanted to be found, right? Might cost me my job It might.
What's going to happen to those properties on the other side of Rampart Street? The old clubs.
Rampart's quiet right now.
That quiet is buying us goodwill with the neighborhood.
Marvin's been pressing me to go to Nashville.
What would you do? I'd probably make a Nashville record.
I mean, take the shot.
Brass ring here, reach for it.
You should say good-bye.
Big Chief Lambreaux make no hum-bow No! Indians of the nations gonna go around Whoa! Mighty cootie fiyo Indian Red Indian Red Mighty cootie fiyo Indian Red Indian Red Oh, we are the Indians All I say Indians All I say Indians of the nation The whole wild creation But we won't bow down No, we won't bow down - Down on that ground - On that dirty ground Oh, how I love to hear him call My Indian Red We are from the nation The whole wild creation Don't you hear me callin'? - Softly, softly callin'? - Coochie ma! - Oh, my Indian Red - Oh, my Indian Red - Oh, he killed him dead - Oh, he killed him dead Because I love to hear him call My Indian Red - Oh, we are the - Indians We're Indians.
- Indians - Indians of a nation.
- Indians of a nation - The whole wild The whole wild creation - And we won't bow down - No, we won't bow down - Not on that ground - On that dirty ground Because I love to hear him call My Indian Red Mighty cootie got fiyo Indian Red Indian Red Big Chief Lambreaux dead and gone But his name gonna carry on and on and on Indian Red Indian Red - Jockamo - Fino-hiyo-hiyo Hiyo-hiyo-hiyo Hiyo-hiyo-hiyo Hiyo-hiyo-hiyo My Indian Red Oh, he killed him dead Because I love to hear them call My Indian Red County-fay.
Hanging in the Treme Watching people sashay Past my steps By my porch In front of my door Church bells are ringing Choirs are singing While the preachers groan And the sisters moan in a blessed tone Mm-hmm, yeah Down in the Treme, just me and my baby We're all going crazy While jamming and having fun Trumpet bells ringing Bass drum is swinging As the trombone groans And the big horn moans and there's a saxophone Down in the Treme It's me and my baby We're all going crazy While jamming and having fun Down in the Treme It's me and my baby We're all going crazy - While jamming and having fun.
- Whoo! - I can do this for you.
I can't pay you.
I'm just getting cost covered as it is.
I can't afford you.
Not for pay.
Not for pay? Why would you do it without getting paid? Because I'm a giver.
I give and I give and I give.
Come on, face the facts.
Look, I've lived almost half my life if I'm honest wasting a quarter of it.
What do I have to show? Huh? I'm a part-time disc jockey, a part-time musician, a part-time lover of extraordinary women that nonetheless work 80 hours a week and are therefore willing to settle.
I'm not settling.
I mean, not any more than you are.
I'm just saying it's time for me to go full-time in life.
You're scaring me, Davis.
I mean, where's the Davis McAlary who said, "Any job on which you can't be seen with a lit joint is a job not worthy of consideration"? When I was a child, I spoke as a child.
Janette? Hmm? Let me do this.
All right, Davis.
I need you there at 5:30.
Don't be late.
Yes, sir.
You can go in, Lieutenant.
What did you want to see me for, Chief? Your transfer, it's been approved.
To where? Back to the Eighth as requested.
Effective after the holiday.
You'll also be happy to know that I've been asked by the chief to oversee an internal initiative aimed at reducing departmental corruption.
An internal initiative? Policing ourselves under your discerning eye, huh, Chief? Too late.
- What? - Too little too late.
I'm testifying, Deputy.
Tomorrow, in fact.
Here, here, and here.
I need a full signature right there.
It's gonna be quite a medical center.
With a biotech component.
Something to rival the Houston complex, thanks to planning and patience.
Well, here's to planning and patience.
Okay, your last copies.
Gonna go here and here.
Initial on the corner of each page.
Now that we're unburdening you of all this New Orleans real estate, I'm guessing that the last order of business for Nelson Hidalgo is to see the Jazz Center get the green light.
That would frost the cake, wouldn't it? - Thank you.
- Where's that project now? A big meeting at the "Times-Pic" after Mardi Gras.
Irvin Mayfield and our development team are presenting to the editorial board there.
- High hopes? - Don't know.
Could be rocky.
You gonna be there at the "Times-Pic"? Too much profile for me.
When was your flight back to Galveston? I know you've got your hands full there.
I'm out this afternoon, but I can fly back, be your eyes and ears if you need me in the room.
- Good man.
- Mr.
Hidalgo? - Your payout.
- Whew.
All right.
That's not bad.
Take a little breather.
I'll be right back.
- Ha! - LaDonna.
Whoa! I am impressed.
You were just driving by or? No, I was in the neighborhood.
- So, you marching on Mardi Gras Day? - Oh, not this year.
We're doing Lundi Gras Monday afternoon by the river.
You know, Zulu Fest.
So you're not busy on Mardi Gras Day.
I didn't say that.
Alcide is riding in the truck parade.
I'll be there.
Yeah.
- I guess I should get back - Hey.
I really need to talk to you.
All right.
I'm done in a half an hour.
Okay.
- - How about that one? It's close enough for government work, right? Kidding.
That was a joke.
That was beautiful, Annie.
I got a better one in me.
Okay, we can roll when you're ready.
Take eight.
You know, we can get the solo perfect, and we will, but this song isn't me, Marvin.
You trust me, Annie.
Steve wrote it just for you.
Custom delivery.
It's a little generic, isn't it? Are you sure we don't have it 'cause Alison or Emmylou threw it back on the pile? You've got something to bring to it.
You'll see when we go to the vocals.
Okay, take eight.
Rolling.
Why now? They're not getting along with Larry? No, they're getting along with Larry fine.
They're just acting out.
Alcide and Randall? Alcide's grades are slipping.
He's gonna be a senior next year.
This is not the time.
And, Antoine Randall got into a fight.
- Our Randall? - Yes.
Larry's done more than his fair share.
I moved out of the Residence Inn.
I'm staying in the apartment above the bar so I can save money so I can get a place for me and the boys.
But that's not gonna happen until the fall.
So in the meantime I'll talk to Desiree.
What's so amazing is they just don't seem to care what we write.
Your piece in "The Nation" ran and you could almost hear them yawn.
That's the attitude around here.
No matter what we write, they figure they'll just ride it out.
Well, you give all of these deaths all of this space, a five-part series.
They can't ignore that right? What? You guys.
Where's the file on the one near the convention center? What's-his-name? Yep.
Dude, it's getting late here.
It's the afternoon, Brendan.
On the Thursday before Mardi Gras.
- Ah.
- Muses rolls tonight.
Some of us have to work Mardi Gras coverage.
- Or at least part of it.
- Okay, right.
I know.
Um so we'll pick back up on Monday? Lundi Gras? I mean Wednesday? Leave a day for hangovers.
Thursday it is.
- Yeah, next Thursday it is.
- Cool.
Thank you, guys.
I'll see you.
You're a little overdressed, son.
Just got back from a memorial service.
Shouldn't you be in some boots and a ten-gallon cowboy hat or something? When in Rome But you're right, I'm back there for real, which means I'm not gonna have to put up with your nonsense.
Look, the contracts we still have, you keep with my blessing.
Maybe throw me five or 10 points for having brought you to the mountaintop, or whatever you think is right.
But from here on out, it's you on the New Orleans demo and rehab.
Fair enough? More than fair.
For me, anyway.
Boy, them people in Galveston don't know what hit 'em yet, do they? Hurricane Ike? They know.
Shit.
Hurricane Nelson.
Hey, ain't I seen you at the Sunday second lines? - I know you, I think.
- Not lately, though.
You just missed CTC a couple of weeks ago.
You're breaking my heart.
They don't do no second line at your college, huh? I heard that.
- Here you go, baby.
- Keep it.
Sunday after next, get yourself a hot sausage po-boy and a Bud and think of me, okay? I'll do that, miss.
I'll do that.
When we get in that room You'll have to really watch yourself, all right? Yeah, once we're in there, this guy's gonna get to tell the whole story.
- Uh-huh.
- Right? - And they're gonna hear it - Well, I know - Hey, Mama! - Sweetie! - Hey, you! - What on earth? Oh, my God.
Now wa m m minute, don't you have an anthropology midterm on Monday? - What are you doing home? - I got the TA to test me early.
I told them I had to be back for a religious observance.
- Well, it's true.
- So Mardi Gras is on! - Ooh.
- What's for dinner? - We ate, but I will fix you something right No problem.
I'll raid the fridge.
It's all better than the dining hall, I promise you.
What if he just doesn't ask about the false report? Just lets it go? He can't.
Okay, what about the front room? - That's our bedroom.
- Honorée's room? - Where she gonna sleep? - With us.
Okay.
It's not forever, right? Oh, no, no, no, baby.
Do you good to spend some time with at least two of your sons.
Oh, snap.
Give 'em the front room.
We'll move our bed into Honorée's room.
What, they gonna sleep on the floor? You'll figure it out.
Birds They fly away - Oh, birds - Hey! - They fly away - Hey.
Told you I'd make it.
You ready? How's Yale, Miss Ivy? You know what they say toughest thing is getting in.
Could it be That we are fallin' Like rain falls on the ground? Tonight I hear the city callin' The people and the sound Do you solemnly swear and affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? I do.
Have a seat, Lieutenant.
To begin today's session of the grand jury for the Eastern District of Louisiana Hey, everybody Let's have some fun You only live but once And when you're dead, you're done So let the good times roll - Let the good times roll Don't care if you're young or old Get together, let the good times roll Don't sit there mumbling And talking trash If you wanna have a ball You gotta go out and spend some cash Let the good times roll Let the good times roll Don't care if you're young or old Get together, let the good times roll Hey, Mr.
Landlord Lock up all the doors When the police comes around Tell 'em the joint is closed And let the good times Hey, hey, hey, hey.
You think your mama and me are gonna lug this mess up in there? Is that what you think? Hmm? You've been spoiling 'em, I see.
Shit is over under my roof, baby.
Come on.
- Papers.
- I just take your forms and your badge.
The rest of this shit goes to the gun range and the academy.
Deal with it.
I'm out.
- Davis, what the fuck? - Gentlemen.
Dude, is that a costume? Seriously, Davis.
Krewe d'Etat comes down the Avenue in an hour, brah.
Let's go hail the new dictator.
Got a job.
What? Are you kidding? What?! Anything we can do yet? Yeah.
I'm supposed to have 16 of these octagonal suckers, but I only got 15.
So one of them must have rolled under somewhere.
- What happens if we can't find it? - Well, shit.
I wouldn't want to be the sucker sleeping in the bottom bunk.
Antoine, for you.
- Who is it? - Mac.
Who? - Who's this? - It's Mac.
- Mac Rebennack? - You better hurry up and know that.
Oh, shit, Dr.
John.
Look, I've got a gig tonight at The Howlin' Wolf.
My manager said you was free and single and disengaged tonight.
Doc, you finally calling me for a gig, brah? - For real? - How many damn ways you expect me to tell you this, son? Look, can you play some 'bone tonight and help a brother out, brah? - Sound check's at 6:00.
- I'm all in, Doc.
I cannot believe I'm about to get on a plane to go to New York with Mardi Gras around the corner.
But I promised Jon I'd make the gig.
Are you gonna do the new song? The one for Daddy? I don't think so.
I thought you were working up an arrangement for the band.
It's not ready.
Gonna put that away for now, let it sit.
- You gonna sew on the plane? - And in the hotel.
I'm up against it.
See you in a couple days.
Think they'll let me through security with my needle and thread? Just tell 'em you're the prettiest.
Right.
You know what? I would go with a couple half-bottles.
The shrimp and grits love white.
I've got a beautiful Albariño Do Ferreiro.
It's totally organic.
The guy's fantastic.
Got this smoky-salty thing going on stunner.
Duck confit begging for a Pinot.
I have a 375 of better yet, the Campaccio Terrabianca.
It's a blend of Sangiovese, Cab.
You've got bottle age, dark berries, a whiff of cocoa, a hint of leather.
Opulent that would be the word for it.
Once the show starts, y'all can check it out from the doorway.
I want to introduce y'all to somebody.
- Hey, Mac.
- Hey.
I want you to meet my boys, Alcide and Randall.
- How you doing? - This is the great Dr.
John.
- How y'all doin'? - That's Mr.
Dr.
John to y'all, hear? - Okay.
- Let's go hit it.
There it is.
Hey, man, just don't cut me in front of my kids, Mac.
Don't worry about it.
You won't get sliced.
- Come on.
Let's get paid.
- All right.
That's what I'm talkin' about.
Yeah, you're right.
Better than all right.
You dig it.
Big Chief, tell 'em Mac is in the hun-dah-day Indian rulin' all night and the day It was a nice night.
They ordered well.
Right? And nothing came back.
Chef, I took the liberty of making some stock suggestions, even keeping a limited cellar.
We need a couple more choices for whites and at least one good Bordeaux.
Nothing there is pricey, so Thank you, Davis.
Let me pour you one, kiddo.
You know, actually, I'm exhausted.
I'll see you guys tomorrow.
Je ne comprends pas.
C'est Davis McAlary? Two more shifts like that, I'm gonna have to pay him, right? Bring back Mac! Bring back Mac! - - So, y'all enjoy it? - Yeah, it was pretty cool.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Are you done? - Well, I am, but he has an encore.
Can we stay? "Desatively.
" All right, my nerb.
Your kind "honestry" never ceases to amaze my ass.
Such a night Such a night Sweet confusion under the moonlight Such a night Such a night Got to steal away The time seems right - Baby, your eyes been mine At a glance You let me know-oh whoa oh oh That this was my chance You came here with my best friend Jim Here I am I'm gonna steal you away from him If I don't do it, you know somebody else will If I don't do it, you know somebody else will If I don't do it, you know somebody else will Ain't no reason or rhyme For the things that I done Just a matter of time and it's finally come Tell the boys that I wish 'em the best Nothin' ever lasts forever, I guess I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway 'l'll be rollin' down a sunset highway I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway.
Not bad.
Let's go again.
No, hang on.
Marvin, this song isn't me.
I kind of agree with you.
I think it'll work.
We'll sweeten it up later.
No, no.
No, no what? No, we won't sweeten it up or no Auto-Tune? Why quit over that? It's complicated.
No, it isn't.
You lied only to find out who the liars were.
It makes complete sense.
Yeah, to you it makes sense, but on paper it means that I knowingly wrote a false report.
And admitting to that, it becomes impossible for me to testify in any case ever again.
My testimony, it's just too easily impeachable.
It can't go to court.
I can't really be a cop.
And the department, once they figure it all out, they can punish me.
So, if I leave now, at least I keep my pension.
So I just I just need to wipe the slate.
Start over in a way.
Because if I stay here in New Orleans, I'm just I'm in I am in shit.
Where will you go? My boys are in Indianapolis.
What about Mom? Does she love you? She cares for me, I'm sure.
And I care for her, too.
Made my mind up, ain't no stopping me now I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway - - Fuck this.
Marvin.
- What? - I hate this.
Adam, don't you agree with me? I am trying to help you here.
I don't want that kind of help.
I want you to take all that shit off all the reverb, all the digital decoration sweetener Auto-Tune bullshit.
I don't want it to be perfect.
I want my songs to sound like me.
- They do.
- Oh, the fuck they do.
They do not.
Make me sound like some fuckin' dime-a-dozen Nashville cupcake.
Look, I thought you made a choice here.
I did not choose this.
Don't mind me.
I just sit in the booth and push knobs.
I forget everything I hear by the end of the session.
Let's go get a drink someplace.
I don't need a drink.
I need my sound on my fucking record.
You can take your time, well, I don't mind I don't mind How you wear your hair, I don't care Well, I don't mind Just as long as this love is strong Well, I don't mind What? - What? - Come on.
You know, I need a steady gig something, anything just so I can feel it once in a while.
Why do you think I dragged you here tonight? You hadn't been out for music in weeks.
I know who I married.
Thank you.
Thank you.
That was "Be You" by Jon Batiste.
Now I'd like to bring up one of our friends from back home.
Please welcome the great Nicholas Payton.
Yes, indeed.
Look like we got a New Orleans quorum up in here tonight? Yeah, I know it, but I gotta come all the way to New York to play with my homeboys.
Tell 'em your business, brah.
Late morning, even for you.
I stayed for the last set at Tip's.
Where's Terry? He's gone, honey.
He said to give you his love.
Wanna go to Lundi Gras with me? Go see Rebirth down by the river? Honestly, right now I need to make some progress with stuff here, okay? - What is it? - It's a lawsuit.
- About what? - A jail death.
I have to read half an econ text in the next two days, but you don't see me getting ready to waste Lundi Gras.
We'll have Mardi Gras tomorrow, okay? Deal.
Right now, I have my work.
- Clean it up - All the paper and trash - Clean it up - Get that stuff outta here - Clean up after Mardi Gras - Sorry to hear that, man.
It was a great after-school program.
Which is why I called you, Derrick.
His best kids need a place to land.
- I can take a few.
- Yeah? - Roots of Music? - There's a waiting list, but Oh, man.
Come on, this would be so good.
I was worried I was gonna have to let them all down, yoowowow? I got you, man.
We goin' tell ya.
I got ya.
Okay.
Thanks, man.
Thanks, man.
I told you, boy.
Derrick.
Ha-ha! Everybody here, hey Clean it up, all the paper and trash - Clean it up - Get that stuff outta here Clean up after Mardi Gras I know what I know, Annie.
I've learned what I've learned.
You can't ask me to unlearn it.
Okay.
Well, I've learned a few things, too.
Like what? Like you can only bend so far before everything you're doing doesn't matter anymore, until you've lost the point.
I bent for you.
Is this about Bayou Cadillac? No, Marvin.
Listen to me.
I gave up the band and I followed you here.
And I'm willing to try and make music the way you think I should.
Maybe my band wasn't pretty enough.
Maybe they sounded a little too Louisiana.
Maybe we had a ceiling because of that.
And maybe it's worth trying something a little more mainstream and tarting it up some.
We'll see.
But it has to be my fucking music that I'm making.
I mean, if it isn't music that I love, that I make, that I wanna play, what the fuck is the point? I'm serious.
I see that.
Okay.
The final decisions on your music stay with you, for better or worse.
Now what stays with me and the people I pick is the marketing, promotion, and image.
If I give you the songs, then you give me the package.
I have to have that much or I can't do what I do.
Deal.
You know what, Annie? I do believe you're gonna make it.
I mean, this is a hard fucking industry, a hard way to make a living.
But I'm starting to think that you might be getting hard enough to do it.
I gotta go finish this record.
Enjoy your drink.
Whoa! Yeah, Mardi Gras! - Well, if you go to New Orleans - All right, baby girl.
- We gonna get goin' now.
You ought to go see the Mardi Gras - Whoo! - If you go to New Orleans You ought to go see the Mardi Gras We're gonna get it fired up now, baby.
- Fired up.
- When you see the Mardi Gras Somebody'll tell ya what's Carnival for Get your ticket in your hand - - If you wanna go to New Orleans Get your ticket in your hand If you wanna go to New Orleans Okay.
Keep the bar open till 3:00? Later if you want.
I'm taking Randall over to Saint Charles.
We're gonna catch Zulu and Rex.
And Alcide is in the truck parade.
Whoa.
Big day, huh? - Take care.
- All right.
- Davis, what the fuck? - Almost ready.
It's Mardi Gras.
You get up late, you eat a full breakfast, you read the fucking paper, and then play guitar for half an hour.
Now you're killing the rest of the day making yourself pretty.
So not you.
For Christ's sake.
Usually you're three bong hits in and out the door by 7:00.
- That's your costume? - Hello, ma'am.
I am from Columbia University's Department of Anthropology and I would like to ask you a few questions about this Fat Tuesday ritual that you hold so dear.
- We're late for the party.
- Ah.
Come on.
"Party.
" What? - You put in the work, George.
- He wanted you to.
- It's your turn.
- What'd you tell him? I told him yes.
Told him I'd do it.
- That's it, then.
It's settled.
- I'm wearing his boots.
- You gotta wear the crown, too.
- No, I don't.
I don't wanna start nothing I can't finish.
I can't promise I'm gonna be here next year.
Or the year after that.
My daddy's legacy with the Guardians that's for you to carry, not me.
I carry him in my own way.
Me Big Chief, I go to my tribe Got my squaw right by my side My flag boy just went by My flag boy is full of pride My whole tribe is having fun We're gonna dance till the morning come.
All right, very nice.
You know what? Go ahead and dance around for me.
Okay.
Hard to dance in these.
It's all right.
Just relax, just relax.
- Now give me a little twirl.
- Okay.
- A twirl there you go.
There you go.
Very nice, very nice.
And hold it right there.
Hold it right there.
Chin up.
Give me more.
More in the eyes.
Intense.
That's pretty.
Real pretty.
- Coochie ma! Coochie ma! A crowd every morning, 'cause here they come Guardians, here they come Put your name on the screen, gonna carry on Guardians, here they come Hey, Mardi Gras mornin' the whole gang know Guardians, here they come We gonna arrange this number for Chief Lambreaux Guardians, here they come Hey, Mardi Gras day and Saint Joe night Guardians, here they come We're pouring like diamonds, shining like light Guardians, here they come I'm gonna bring that thing, has the light of the moon Guardians, here they come I've been a Big Chief comin', killed Daniel Boone - Guardians, here they come - Coochie ma! I'm the pretty gang flag.
Guardians, here they come Oh, Lord have mercy, Chief got mad Guardians, here they come His spy don't worry, his flag don't kneel Guardians, here they come Got a Big Chief comin' with a heart of steel Guardians, here they come His spy boy don't worry, your Chief on fire Guardians, rerere they come They be the Indian ruler on Mardi Gras Guardians, here they come Just, uh, let 'em come Guardians, here they come I say just, uh, let 'em come.
All righty.
You ready for some sleeve photos? Full band with Annie in front.
- What do you think? - Give me just a minute.
- Hey.
- Wow, look at you.
Just another Tuesday, huh? - What do you mean? - I thought you were from New Orleans.
It's Mardi Gras today, right? Guys, let's get you in the center.
- It's Mardi Gras? - Right over here.
- Yeah.
It's all right.
They'll do it next year.
You gonna come with, right? Sure.
I haven't seen a truck parade since my nephew rode before the storm.
I know he's excited about it.
I got to find the ladies' room.
Can't find no place to pee on Mardi Gras Day.
True dat.
Watch the baby.
Hey, boo-boo.
Hey, let me hear you say, "Throw me something, mister.
" - Throw me something, mister.
- Yeah! Hey, very good.
Mwah! Antoine? - Oh, hey.
- Hey.
- How you doing? - How you doing? - Happy Mardi Gras.
- Happy Mardi Gras.
- Nice to see you.
- Nice to see you, too.
Yeah, I haven't seen you since, uh - Since last Mardi Gras.
- Last Mardi Gras.
Right, right.
So, um, you gonna join us later? Pssh.
Well, I'd like to, yeah.
But, uh I don't think I can this year.
Well, if you change your mind, we'll be at Crescent City Steak House around 6:00.
- Around 6:00? - 6:00.
All right.
- Happy Mardi Gras.
- Good to see you.
- Nice to see you.
- Yeah.
Hey, hey, hey.
Look, text me.
You know, as soon as you get there.
Just just in case.
You burning the meat.
I don't want none.
- You want some? - No, I don't want none.
What? Ooh, yeah! So, if I am to understand you correctly, you and your entire cohort mark this day annually by dressing as local rodentia and parading en masse down this public thoroughfare? We're a krewe.
Interesting.
And are you subject to any form of sociopolitical leadership? We have a king every year.
We're the Mystic Krewe of Nutria.
- "The Mystic Krewe of Nutria.
" Is he for real? Lighten up, Francis.
Oh.
Thank you.
- Happy Mardi Gras.
- Hey, look, Saint Anne's is coming through.
- Come on.
- You know - Let's go to the river.
- Frankly, all of this, while colorful and provocative, makes little sense.
To assert membership in a quasi-religious cohort that worships a small swamp mammal of obscure origin is culturally marginal at best.
Hey! Alcide, Alcide! Alcide, Alcide, Alcide! Hey! Hey! Come on, come on! Whoo! Alcide, Alcide! Wait, wait! Alcide! Alcide! Hey! - What? - I just don't get what's eating you.
Turning 40? Who cares? - What? I'm just trying't get to make a point.
you.
How many Mardi Gras does one man have? How many does he need? At what point do you look around and suddenly you're the old fart on the dance floor? And so this this is your approximation of a grown-up, Davis? Really? Seriously? My father wears a jacket and tie every day of his life.
- You want to be your father? - God, no.
But at some point, I imagine myself being some version of him.
Maybe a husband with a cat and a dog and a lawn, lawn furniture.
It's not gonna happen, my friend.
You are DJ Davis, the one and only.
I gotta get rid of that guy.
Fucker's holding me back.
There he is, there he is! Right there.
Hey! Hey! They're shooting, they're shooting! Somebody's motherfuckin' shooting, man! Shit, they're shooting.
Fuck that, man.
- Stay down! - You see who it was? Somebody help me! Call for help! You ran the good race, little brother.
Davis, what the fuck? - Look at this goof.
- I'm baptizing myself.
Please get out of the river.
- Ha, that's stupid.
- I'm laying down my burden.
What are you dressed as? The bright Mississippi, wash me clean.
There you go.
We normally don't put them into the river until they're ashes.
- It's kind of a rule, Davis.
Whoa! I'm born again, baptized in this muddy water! I am no longer DJ Davis.
I am Mr.
McAlary! Whoo! Be careful.
DJ Davis is dead.
- I don't think so.
- No.
I am Mr.
McAlary.
Like my father and his father before him.
I don't think your father ever walked in the Mississippi River in his best suit.
No.
Not sober, anyway.
They should have been here by now.
By the way, I want to thank you for everything you've done for the boys.
And them coming to live here now, that wasn't easy for you, I know.
It's the right thing.
Well, you know what they say.
Takes a village, right? You need one fucked-up musician, a taxpaying dentist And your damn-near-bipolar, what-does-she-want-today, crazy-ass bar owner.
- That's some woman, ain't she? - Yeah, she is.
Guys, there's food inside and your sister's waiting to see you.
We're okay, Dad.
How are they? It was scary, but they're okay.
News said seven wounded.
It was awful.
I'm gonna go check on the boys.
Thank God you're all okay.
By the grace of God.
It's okay.
Man, my shoes feel like science projects.
I got there's something crawling in there.
That serves you right.
To time and its passing.
I love you.
Of course you do, Davis.
Dance.
All right.
This is for the civil docket.
Robert Gilday versus Sheriff Gusman et al.
Who cares that a couple of politically connected people are in on the deal? Never happens otherwise.
- Bernardo Wade, man.
- And who the hell's that? He's Nagin's personal photographer.
We have him in our proposal as the compliance officer.
- Whatever that means.
- It means bagman for all I care.
Look, you can't get a deal through City Hall without Ray Nagin or his people laying in the cut somewhere.
So what? It's still a project that this city should want regardless.
The "Times-Pic" is still angry about the party Bernardo threw for Nagin last year, remember? Having him in this deal was a red flag.
Oh, Christ's sakes, it's New Orleans.
There's always a Bernardo Wade in the mix somewhere.
You telling me he stops this project? It's dead.
What we just saw up there was a sharpening of the knives.
I busted my ass for three years to get this thing built.
I pissed off the mayor.
I pissed off the lieutenant governor.
I pissed off everyone else down the line along the way, but who cares if the thing gets built? Who cares? We'd have a national venue for New Orleans music.
But now? Go play some trumpet, kiddo.
You'll feel better in the morning.
Hey, hey, how are you? Whoa, what's eating you? You sued me, Toni.
Oh, come on, honey.
I sue everybody.
You know that.
How's the bread pudding, hmm? There you go.
I ever tell you my Harry Lee story? Oh, about a million times.
No, I don't think I ever did.
And you can deliver this to me? I can.
I absolutely guarantee it.
I'm tight with everyone who's in on the decision.
I can promise you that if that Jazz Center gets built, a Feeny restaurant will be a part of it.
You have my word.
I have one thing to ask in return.
Name it.
I had a long talk with Woodrow.
He's chomping at the bit.
Can't wait till I get back up there.
I mean, it makes sense for me to be based in New York.
There's no place down here for me to play my music.
Are we gonna find a place in Manhattan? I'm thinking Brooklyn.
More bang for your buck.
We'll need two bedrooms.
I want to have the baby here, Del.
I figured.
Your mama and your doctor.
I promised my daddy we'd raise him, or her, up in the tradition.
So we keep a foot in both places, right? Always.
But how? He hates me so much.
He likes money more.
What'd you give him? Mm.
You know something? I spent time in this town, made a lot of money.
And a friend of mine, a cousin, actually, once asked me if I ever built anything or if anything ever got fixed for all that I got paid.
When you put your sign up, take a little penknife, carve my initials in the bot of that sucker, okay? I'll do more than that.
You got this corner table any time you want it, gratis.
Oh, no, darling, I pay for my meals.
And I tip excessively.
Never worry the little stuff.
Mm.
All right.
Gotta go.
I'm in the wrong town.
Godzilla versus King Kong.
It's a flawed analogy, Davis.
If Fess is M.
L.
K.
, Booker is Gandhi.
So the Mahatma is the civil rights equivalent of Godzilla.
- Indeed.
- Okay, Godzilla versus M.
L.
K.
- Who wins? - Wait, wait, wait, wait.
That's a lyric.
- No! That's a song! - Oh, God, here we go.
Shit! That's a concept album.
Right? Right? What the fuck did I just say? Godzilla versus M.
L.
K.
Goin' to the place where I was born Long before this world was my home I gotta go, gotta go But I don't know when Oh, come with me, oh, if you can Oh, come with me, oh, if you can.
Thank you so much, you guys.
Thank you.
That one will be on our new record, which will be out this summer, we hope.
You know what? It's so good to be back in New Orleans after so long.
I have so many friends down here that I miss and actually, I see one of them right now.
It's my oldest friend here.
He's the one who dragged me to New Orleans and made me love the place.
This one is for him.
All right, you Nashville hotshots, every busker down here can play this one in, like, five different keys.
So we can do this.
Okay.
Love, oh, love Oh, careless love You fly through my head Like wine You wrecked the life Of many poor girls And you let me spoil This life of mine Love, oh, love Oh, careless love In your clutches of desire You made me break A many true vow Then you set my very soul On fire - - This is DJ Davis on WWOZ, the world's greatest radio station.
That was the late, great Earl King with "Ain't No City.
" Do you have your brass passes yet? Jazz Fest is coming and we do not want to get caught naked and bereft, now, do we? Davis.
- Attention, listeners Yes, Darnell? I just wanted to tell you that your shows the last few weeks have been really good.
Really tight.
Your shows they've been good.
Why would you say something like that? Why would you go there when you know how much that fucks me up? Do you understand the self-loathing involved when you, the station manager, comes in here to tell me that you enjoy what I'm doing, hmm? My mistake.
Darnell.
Dude, you're way too easy.
We hope to see you at the fest.
Hey, do you know how sometimes you hear a song that you've heard a million times before, and maybe you're even tired of hearing it but this time maybe because of something you've been through or maybe because of something you now understand, you hear that song again maybe it's a new version, maybe not But you realize that there's a fresh world in there to be heard? Yeah.
Me, too.
I've never had this kind of feelin' With aching heart And my mind a-reelin' What's the matter? Here's the matter Here's what's wrong with me Do you know what it means To miss New Orleans? And miss it both night and day? I know that it's wrong Yet the feeling's getting stronger The longer I stay away Miss those moss-covered vines The tall sugar pines Where mockingbirds used to sing And I'd like to see That old lazy Mississippi Hurrying into spring The Mardi Gras The madness A Creole tune That fills the air I dream - What are you doing? - Come on.
- Of oleanders in June - Do you want to play it? - No, I don't.
- No, 'cause you can't.
Then soon I'm wishing I were there You're next, you know? Do you know what it means To miss New Orleans? The Saints, Saints.
'Cause that's where you left your heart The Saints are the world champions! There's one thing more How I miss the ones I care for Just like I miss New Orleans Joey Abreu.
This is my son.
Between the American Negro and the irradiated lizard, I believe that we can forge a friendship and walk into the sunset, hand in hand, and solve all of our differences as friends.
So this epic battle goes, that of which I said Godzilla and Martin Luther King Morning or afternoon? Uh, morning.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
What about you? A Crown and Coke, please.
The moonlight On the bayou A Creole tune That fills the air I dream Of magnolias in bloom Then soon I'm wishing That I were there Do you know what it means To miss New Orleans? 'Cause that's where You left your heart And there's one thing more How I miss The ones I care for Just as much As I miss New Orleans.
I'll let you know, Lieutenant.
Who's the second line today? - *** - I'm a New Orleans musician.
I'll play 'til I ain't got no gigs still standing.
If I died tomorrow, what would I leave behind? What about your record label? You started that, that's a legacy.
What if I opened a club? You wanted to be found, right? Might cost me my job It might.
What's going to happen to those properties on the other side of Rampart Street? The old clubs.
Rampart's quiet right now.
That quiet is buying us goodwill with the neighborhood.
Marvin's been pressing me to go to Nashville.
What would you do? I'd probably make a Nashville record.
I mean, take the shot.
Brass ring here, reach for it.
You should say good-bye.
Big Chief Lambreaux make no hum-bow No! Indians of the nations gonna go around Whoa! Mighty cootie fiyo Indian Red Indian Red Mighty cootie fiyo Indian Red Indian Red Oh, we are the Indians All I say Indians All I say Indians of the nation The whole wild creation But we won't bow down No, we won't bow down - Down on that ground - On that dirty ground Oh, how I love to hear him call My Indian Red We are from the nation The whole wild creation Don't you hear me callin'? - Softly, softly callin'? - Coochie ma! - Oh, my Indian Red - Oh, my Indian Red - Oh, he killed him dead - Oh, he killed him dead Because I love to hear him call My Indian Red - Oh, we are the - Indians We're Indians.
- Indians - Indians of a nation.
- Indians of a nation - The whole wild The whole wild creation - And we won't bow down - No, we won't bow down - Not on that ground - On that dirty ground Because I love to hear him call My Indian Red Mighty cootie got fiyo Indian Red Indian Red Big Chief Lambreaux dead and gone But his name gonna carry on and on and on Indian Red Indian Red - Jockamo - Fino-hiyo-hiyo Hiyo-hiyo-hiyo Hiyo-hiyo-hiyo Hiyo-hiyo-hiyo My Indian Red Oh, he killed him dead Because I love to hear them call My Indian Red County-fay.
Hanging in the Treme Watching people sashay Past my steps By my porch In front of my door Church bells are ringing Choirs are singing While the preachers groan And the sisters moan in a blessed tone Mm-hmm, yeah Down in the Treme, just me and my baby We're all going crazy While jamming and having fun Trumpet bells ringing Bass drum is swinging As the trombone groans And the big horn moans and there's a saxophone Down in the Treme It's me and my baby We're all going crazy While jamming and having fun Down in the Treme It's me and my baby We're all going crazy - While jamming and having fun.
- Whoo! - I can do this for you.
I can't pay you.
I'm just getting cost covered as it is.
I can't afford you.
Not for pay.
Not for pay? Why would you do it without getting paid? Because I'm a giver.
I give and I give and I give.
Come on, face the facts.
Look, I've lived almost half my life if I'm honest wasting a quarter of it.
What do I have to show? Huh? I'm a part-time disc jockey, a part-time musician, a part-time lover of extraordinary women that nonetheless work 80 hours a week and are therefore willing to settle.
I'm not settling.
I mean, not any more than you are.
I'm just saying it's time for me to go full-time in life.
You're scaring me, Davis.
I mean, where's the Davis McAlary who said, "Any job on which you can't be seen with a lit joint is a job not worthy of consideration"? When I was a child, I spoke as a child.
Janette? Hmm? Let me do this.
All right, Davis.
I need you there at 5:30.
Don't be late.
Yes, sir.
You can go in, Lieutenant.
What did you want to see me for, Chief? Your transfer, it's been approved.
To where? Back to the Eighth as requested.
Effective after the holiday.
You'll also be happy to know that I've been asked by the chief to oversee an internal initiative aimed at reducing departmental corruption.
An internal initiative? Policing ourselves under your discerning eye, huh, Chief? Too late.
- What? - Too little too late.
I'm testifying, Deputy.
Tomorrow, in fact.
Here, here, and here.
I need a full signature right there.
It's gonna be quite a medical center.
With a biotech component.
Something to rival the Houston complex, thanks to planning and patience.
Well, here's to planning and patience.
Okay, your last copies.
Gonna go here and here.
Initial on the corner of each page.
Now that we're unburdening you of all this New Orleans real estate, I'm guessing that the last order of business for Nelson Hidalgo is to see the Jazz Center get the green light.
That would frost the cake, wouldn't it? - Thank you.
- Where's that project now? A big meeting at the "Times-Pic" after Mardi Gras.
Irvin Mayfield and our development team are presenting to the editorial board there.
- High hopes? - Don't know.
Could be rocky.
You gonna be there at the "Times-Pic"? Too much profile for me.
When was your flight back to Galveston? I know you've got your hands full there.
I'm out this afternoon, but I can fly back, be your eyes and ears if you need me in the room.
- Good man.
- Mr.
Hidalgo? - Your payout.
- Whew.
All right.
That's not bad.
Take a little breather.
I'll be right back.
- Ha! - LaDonna.
Whoa! I am impressed.
You were just driving by or? No, I was in the neighborhood.
- So, you marching on Mardi Gras Day? - Oh, not this year.
We're doing Lundi Gras Monday afternoon by the river.
You know, Zulu Fest.
So you're not busy on Mardi Gras Day.
I didn't say that.
Alcide is riding in the truck parade.
I'll be there.
Yeah.
- I guess I should get back - Hey.
I really need to talk to you.
All right.
I'm done in a half an hour.
Okay.
- - How about that one? It's close enough for government work, right? Kidding.
That was a joke.
That was beautiful, Annie.
I got a better one in me.
Okay, we can roll when you're ready.
Take eight.
You know, we can get the solo perfect, and we will, but this song isn't me, Marvin.
You trust me, Annie.
Steve wrote it just for you.
Custom delivery.
It's a little generic, isn't it? Are you sure we don't have it 'cause Alison or Emmylou threw it back on the pile? You've got something to bring to it.
You'll see when we go to the vocals.
Okay, take eight.
Rolling.
Why now? They're not getting along with Larry? No, they're getting along with Larry fine.
They're just acting out.
Alcide and Randall? Alcide's grades are slipping.
He's gonna be a senior next year.
This is not the time.
And, Antoine Randall got into a fight.
- Our Randall? - Yes.
Larry's done more than his fair share.
I moved out of the Residence Inn.
I'm staying in the apartment above the bar so I can save money so I can get a place for me and the boys.
But that's not gonna happen until the fall.
So in the meantime I'll talk to Desiree.
What's so amazing is they just don't seem to care what we write.
Your piece in "The Nation" ran and you could almost hear them yawn.
That's the attitude around here.
No matter what we write, they figure they'll just ride it out.
Well, you give all of these deaths all of this space, a five-part series.
They can't ignore that right? What? You guys.
Where's the file on the one near the convention center? What's-his-name? Yep.
Dude, it's getting late here.
It's the afternoon, Brendan.
On the Thursday before Mardi Gras.
- Ah.
- Muses rolls tonight.
Some of us have to work Mardi Gras coverage.
- Or at least part of it.
- Okay, right.
I know.
Um so we'll pick back up on Monday? Lundi Gras? I mean Wednesday? Leave a day for hangovers.
Thursday it is.
- Yeah, next Thursday it is.
- Cool.
Thank you, guys.
I'll see you.
You're a little overdressed, son.
Just got back from a memorial service.
Shouldn't you be in some boots and a ten-gallon cowboy hat or something? When in Rome But you're right, I'm back there for real, which means I'm not gonna have to put up with your nonsense.
Look, the contracts we still have, you keep with my blessing.
Maybe throw me five or 10 points for having brought you to the mountaintop, or whatever you think is right.
But from here on out, it's you on the New Orleans demo and rehab.
Fair enough? More than fair.
For me, anyway.
Boy, them people in Galveston don't know what hit 'em yet, do they? Hurricane Ike? They know.
Shit.
Hurricane Nelson.
Hey, ain't I seen you at the Sunday second lines? - I know you, I think.
- Not lately, though.
You just missed CTC a couple of weeks ago.
You're breaking my heart.
They don't do no second line at your college, huh? I heard that.
- Here you go, baby.
- Keep it.
Sunday after next, get yourself a hot sausage po-boy and a Bud and think of me, okay? I'll do that, miss.
I'll do that.
When we get in that room You'll have to really watch yourself, all right? Yeah, once we're in there, this guy's gonna get to tell the whole story.
- Uh-huh.
- Right? - And they're gonna hear it - Well, I know - Hey, Mama! - Sweetie! - Hey, you! - What on earth? Oh, my God.
Now wa m m minute, don't you have an anthropology midterm on Monday? - What are you doing home? - I got the TA to test me early.
I told them I had to be back for a religious observance.
- Well, it's true.
- So Mardi Gras is on! - Ooh.
- What's for dinner? - We ate, but I will fix you something right No problem.
I'll raid the fridge.
It's all better than the dining hall, I promise you.
What if he just doesn't ask about the false report? Just lets it go? He can't.
Okay, what about the front room? - That's our bedroom.
- Honorée's room? - Where she gonna sleep? - With us.
Okay.
It's not forever, right? Oh, no, no, no, baby.
Do you good to spend some time with at least two of your sons.
Oh, snap.
Give 'em the front room.
We'll move our bed into Honorée's room.
What, they gonna sleep on the floor? You'll figure it out.
Birds They fly away - Oh, birds - Hey! - They fly away - Hey.
Told you I'd make it.
You ready? How's Yale, Miss Ivy? You know what they say toughest thing is getting in.
Could it be That we are fallin' Like rain falls on the ground? Tonight I hear the city callin' The people and the sound Do you solemnly swear and affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? I do.
Have a seat, Lieutenant.
To begin today's session of the grand jury for the Eastern District of Louisiana Hey, everybody Let's have some fun You only live but once And when you're dead, you're done So let the good times roll - Let the good times roll Don't care if you're young or old Get together, let the good times roll Don't sit there mumbling And talking trash If you wanna have a ball You gotta go out and spend some cash Let the good times roll Let the good times roll Don't care if you're young or old Get together, let the good times roll Hey, Mr.
Landlord Lock up all the doors When the police comes around Tell 'em the joint is closed And let the good times Hey, hey, hey, hey.
You think your mama and me are gonna lug this mess up in there? Is that what you think? Hmm? You've been spoiling 'em, I see.
Shit is over under my roof, baby.
Come on.
- Papers.
- I just take your forms and your badge.
The rest of this shit goes to the gun range and the academy.
Deal with it.
I'm out.
- Davis, what the fuck? - Gentlemen.
Dude, is that a costume? Seriously, Davis.
Krewe d'Etat comes down the Avenue in an hour, brah.
Let's go hail the new dictator.
Got a job.
What? Are you kidding? What?! Anything we can do yet? Yeah.
I'm supposed to have 16 of these octagonal suckers, but I only got 15.
So one of them must have rolled under somewhere.
- What happens if we can't find it? - Well, shit.
I wouldn't want to be the sucker sleeping in the bottom bunk.
Antoine, for you.
- Who is it? - Mac.
Who? - Who's this? - It's Mac.
- Mac Rebennack? - You better hurry up and know that.
Oh, shit, Dr.
John.
Look, I've got a gig tonight at The Howlin' Wolf.
My manager said you was free and single and disengaged tonight.
Doc, you finally calling me for a gig, brah? - For real? - How many damn ways you expect me to tell you this, son? Look, can you play some 'bone tonight and help a brother out, brah? - Sound check's at 6:00.
- I'm all in, Doc.
I cannot believe I'm about to get on a plane to go to New York with Mardi Gras around the corner.
But I promised Jon I'd make the gig.
Are you gonna do the new song? The one for Daddy? I don't think so.
I thought you were working up an arrangement for the band.
It's not ready.
Gonna put that away for now, let it sit.
- You gonna sew on the plane? - And in the hotel.
I'm up against it.
See you in a couple days.
Think they'll let me through security with my needle and thread? Just tell 'em you're the prettiest.
Right.
You know what? I would go with a couple half-bottles.
The shrimp and grits love white.
I've got a beautiful Albariño Do Ferreiro.
It's totally organic.
The guy's fantastic.
Got this smoky-salty thing going on stunner.
Duck confit begging for a Pinot.
I have a 375 of better yet, the Campaccio Terrabianca.
It's a blend of Sangiovese, Cab.
You've got bottle age, dark berries, a whiff of cocoa, a hint of leather.
Opulent that would be the word for it.
Once the show starts, y'all can check it out from the doorway.
I want to introduce y'all to somebody.
- Hey, Mac.
- Hey.
I want you to meet my boys, Alcide and Randall.
- How you doing? - This is the great Dr.
John.
- How y'all doin'? - That's Mr.
Dr.
John to y'all, hear? - Okay.
- Let's go hit it.
There it is.
Hey, man, just don't cut me in front of my kids, Mac.
Don't worry about it.
You won't get sliced.
- Come on.
Let's get paid.
- All right.
That's what I'm talkin' about.
Yeah, you're right.
Better than all right.
You dig it.
Big Chief, tell 'em Mac is in the hun-dah-day Indian rulin' all night and the day It was a nice night.
They ordered well.
Right? And nothing came back.
Chef, I took the liberty of making some stock suggestions, even keeping a limited cellar.
We need a couple more choices for whites and at least one good Bordeaux.
Nothing there is pricey, so Thank you, Davis.
Let me pour you one, kiddo.
You know, actually, I'm exhausted.
I'll see you guys tomorrow.
Je ne comprends pas.
C'est Davis McAlary? Two more shifts like that, I'm gonna have to pay him, right? Bring back Mac! Bring back Mac! - - So, y'all enjoy it? - Yeah, it was pretty cool.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Are you done? - Well, I am, but he has an encore.
Can we stay? "Desatively.
" All right, my nerb.
Your kind "honestry" never ceases to amaze my ass.
Such a night Such a night Sweet confusion under the moonlight Such a night Such a night Got to steal away The time seems right - Baby, your eyes been mine At a glance You let me know-oh whoa oh oh That this was my chance You came here with my best friend Jim Here I am I'm gonna steal you away from him If I don't do it, you know somebody else will If I don't do it, you know somebody else will If I don't do it, you know somebody else will Ain't no reason or rhyme For the things that I done Just a matter of time and it's finally come Tell the boys that I wish 'em the best Nothin' ever lasts forever, I guess I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway 'l'll be rollin' down a sunset highway I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway.
Not bad.
Let's go again.
No, hang on.
Marvin, this song isn't me.
I kind of agree with you.
I think it'll work.
We'll sweeten it up later.
No, no.
No, no what? No, we won't sweeten it up or no Auto-Tune? Why quit over that? It's complicated.
No, it isn't.
You lied only to find out who the liars were.
It makes complete sense.
Yeah, to you it makes sense, but on paper it means that I knowingly wrote a false report.
And admitting to that, it becomes impossible for me to testify in any case ever again.
My testimony, it's just too easily impeachable.
It can't go to court.
I can't really be a cop.
And the department, once they figure it all out, they can punish me.
So, if I leave now, at least I keep my pension.
So I just I just need to wipe the slate.
Start over in a way.
Because if I stay here in New Orleans, I'm just I'm in I am in shit.
Where will you go? My boys are in Indianapolis.
What about Mom? Does she love you? She cares for me, I'm sure.
And I care for her, too.
Made my mind up, ain't no stopping me now I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway I'll be rollin' down a sunset highway - - Fuck this.
Marvin.
- What? - I hate this.
Adam, don't you agree with me? I am trying to help you here.
I don't want that kind of help.
I want you to take all that shit off all the reverb, all the digital decoration sweetener Auto-Tune bullshit.
I don't want it to be perfect.
I want my songs to sound like me.
- They do.
- Oh, the fuck they do.
They do not.
Make me sound like some fuckin' dime-a-dozen Nashville cupcake.
Look, I thought you made a choice here.
I did not choose this.
Don't mind me.
I just sit in the booth and push knobs.
I forget everything I hear by the end of the session.
Let's go get a drink someplace.
I don't need a drink.
I need my sound on my fucking record.
You can take your time, well, I don't mind I don't mind How you wear your hair, I don't care Well, I don't mind Just as long as this love is strong Well, I don't mind What? - What? - Come on.
You know, I need a steady gig something, anything just so I can feel it once in a while.
Why do you think I dragged you here tonight? You hadn't been out for music in weeks.
I know who I married.
Thank you.
Thank you.
That was "Be You" by Jon Batiste.
Now I'd like to bring up one of our friends from back home.
Please welcome the great Nicholas Payton.
Yes, indeed.
Look like we got a New Orleans quorum up in here tonight? Yeah, I know it, but I gotta come all the way to New York to play with my homeboys.
Tell 'em your business, brah.
Late morning, even for you.
I stayed for the last set at Tip's.
Where's Terry? He's gone, honey.
He said to give you his love.
Wanna go to Lundi Gras with me? Go see Rebirth down by the river? Honestly, right now I need to make some progress with stuff here, okay? - What is it? - It's a lawsuit.
- About what? - A jail death.
I have to read half an econ text in the next two days, but you don't see me getting ready to waste Lundi Gras.
We'll have Mardi Gras tomorrow, okay? Deal.
Right now, I have my work.
- Clean it up - All the paper and trash - Clean it up - Get that stuff outta here - Clean up after Mardi Gras - Sorry to hear that, man.
It was a great after-school program.
Which is why I called you, Derrick.
His best kids need a place to land.
- I can take a few.
- Yeah? - Roots of Music? - There's a waiting list, but Oh, man.
Come on, this would be so good.
I was worried I was gonna have to let them all down, yoowowow? I got you, man.
We goin' tell ya.
I got ya.
Okay.
Thanks, man.
Thanks, man.
I told you, boy.
Derrick.
Ha-ha! Everybody here, hey Clean it up, all the paper and trash - Clean it up - Get that stuff outta here Clean up after Mardi Gras I know what I know, Annie.
I've learned what I've learned.
You can't ask me to unlearn it.
Okay.
Well, I've learned a few things, too.
Like what? Like you can only bend so far before everything you're doing doesn't matter anymore, until you've lost the point.
I bent for you.
Is this about Bayou Cadillac? No, Marvin.
Listen to me.
I gave up the band and I followed you here.
And I'm willing to try and make music the way you think I should.
Maybe my band wasn't pretty enough.
Maybe they sounded a little too Louisiana.
Maybe we had a ceiling because of that.
And maybe it's worth trying something a little more mainstream and tarting it up some.
We'll see.
But it has to be my fucking music that I'm making.
I mean, if it isn't music that I love, that I make, that I wanna play, what the fuck is the point? I'm serious.
I see that.
Okay.
The final decisions on your music stay with you, for better or worse.
Now what stays with me and the people I pick is the marketing, promotion, and image.
If I give you the songs, then you give me the package.
I have to have that much or I can't do what I do.
Deal.
You know what, Annie? I do believe you're gonna make it.
I mean, this is a hard fucking industry, a hard way to make a living.
But I'm starting to think that you might be getting hard enough to do it.
I gotta go finish this record.
Enjoy your drink.
Whoa! Yeah, Mardi Gras! - Well, if you go to New Orleans - All right, baby girl.
- We gonna get goin' now.
You ought to go see the Mardi Gras - Whoo! - If you go to New Orleans You ought to go see the Mardi Gras We're gonna get it fired up now, baby.
- Fired up.
- When you see the Mardi Gras Somebody'll tell ya what's Carnival for Get your ticket in your hand - - If you wanna go to New Orleans Get your ticket in your hand If you wanna go to New Orleans Okay.
Keep the bar open till 3:00? Later if you want.
I'm taking Randall over to Saint Charles.
We're gonna catch Zulu and Rex.
And Alcide is in the truck parade.
Whoa.
Big day, huh? - Take care.
- All right.
- Davis, what the fuck? - Almost ready.
It's Mardi Gras.
You get up late, you eat a full breakfast, you read the fucking paper, and then play guitar for half an hour.
Now you're killing the rest of the day making yourself pretty.
So not you.
For Christ's sake.
Usually you're three bong hits in and out the door by 7:00.
- That's your costume? - Hello, ma'am.
I am from Columbia University's Department of Anthropology and I would like to ask you a few questions about this Fat Tuesday ritual that you hold so dear.
- We're late for the party.
- Ah.
Come on.
"Party.
" What? - You put in the work, George.
- He wanted you to.
- It's your turn.
- What'd you tell him? I told him yes.
Told him I'd do it.
- That's it, then.
It's settled.
- I'm wearing his boots.
- You gotta wear the crown, too.
- No, I don't.
I don't wanna start nothing I can't finish.
I can't promise I'm gonna be here next year.
Or the year after that.
My daddy's legacy with the Guardians that's for you to carry, not me.
I carry him in my own way.
Me Big Chief, I go to my tribe Got my squaw right by my side My flag boy just went by My flag boy is full of pride My whole tribe is having fun We're gonna dance till the morning come.
All right, very nice.
You know what? Go ahead and dance around for me.
Okay.
Hard to dance in these.
It's all right.
Just relax, just relax.
- Now give me a little twirl.
- Okay.
- A twirl there you go.
There you go.
Very nice, very nice.
And hold it right there.
Hold it right there.
Chin up.
Give me more.
More in the eyes.
Intense.
That's pretty.
Real pretty.
- Coochie ma! Coochie ma! A crowd every morning, 'cause here they come Guardians, here they come Put your name on the screen, gonna carry on Guardians, here they come Hey, Mardi Gras mornin' the whole gang know Guardians, here they come We gonna arrange this number for Chief Lambreaux Guardians, here they come Hey, Mardi Gras day and Saint Joe night Guardians, here they come We're pouring like diamonds, shining like light Guardians, here they come I'm gonna bring that thing, has the light of the moon Guardians, here they come I've been a Big Chief comin', killed Daniel Boone - Guardians, here they come - Coochie ma! I'm the pretty gang flag.
Guardians, here they come Oh, Lord have mercy, Chief got mad Guardians, here they come His spy don't worry, his flag don't kneel Guardians, here they come Got a Big Chief comin' with a heart of steel Guardians, here they come His spy boy don't worry, your Chief on fire Guardians, rerere they come They be the Indian ruler on Mardi Gras Guardians, here they come Just, uh, let 'em come Guardians, here they come I say just, uh, let 'em come.
All righty.
You ready for some sleeve photos? Full band with Annie in front.
- What do you think? - Give me just a minute.
- Hey.
- Wow, look at you.
Just another Tuesday, huh? - What do you mean? - I thought you were from New Orleans.
It's Mardi Gras today, right? Guys, let's get you in the center.
- It's Mardi Gras? - Right over here.
- Yeah.
It's all right.
They'll do it next year.
You gonna come with, right? Sure.
I haven't seen a truck parade since my nephew rode before the storm.
I know he's excited about it.
I got to find the ladies' room.
Can't find no place to pee on Mardi Gras Day.
True dat.
Watch the baby.
Hey, boo-boo.
Hey, let me hear you say, "Throw me something, mister.
" - Throw me something, mister.
- Yeah! Hey, very good.
Mwah! Antoine? - Oh, hey.
- Hey.
- How you doing? - How you doing? - Happy Mardi Gras.
- Happy Mardi Gras.
- Nice to see you.
- Nice to see you, too.
Yeah, I haven't seen you since, uh - Since last Mardi Gras.
- Last Mardi Gras.
Right, right.
So, um, you gonna join us later? Pssh.
Well, I'd like to, yeah.
But, uh I don't think I can this year.
Well, if you change your mind, we'll be at Crescent City Steak House around 6:00.
- Around 6:00? - 6:00.
All right.
- Happy Mardi Gras.
- Good to see you.
- Nice to see you.
- Yeah.
Hey, hey, hey.
Look, text me.
You know, as soon as you get there.
Just just in case.
You burning the meat.
I don't want none.
- You want some? - No, I don't want none.
What? Ooh, yeah! So, if I am to understand you correctly, you and your entire cohort mark this day annually by dressing as local rodentia and parading en masse down this public thoroughfare? We're a krewe.
Interesting.
And are you subject to any form of sociopolitical leadership? We have a king every year.
We're the Mystic Krewe of Nutria.
- "The Mystic Krewe of Nutria.
" Is he for real? Lighten up, Francis.
Oh.
Thank you.
- Happy Mardi Gras.
- Hey, look, Saint Anne's is coming through.
- Come on.
- You know - Let's go to the river.
- Frankly, all of this, while colorful and provocative, makes little sense.
To assert membership in a quasi-religious cohort that worships a small swamp mammal of obscure origin is culturally marginal at best.
Hey! Alcide, Alcide! Alcide, Alcide, Alcide! Hey! Hey! Come on, come on! Whoo! Alcide, Alcide! Wait, wait! Alcide! Alcide! Hey! - What? - I just don't get what's eating you.
Turning 40? Who cares? - What? I'm just trying't get to make a point.
you.
How many Mardi Gras does one man have? How many does he need? At what point do you look around and suddenly you're the old fart on the dance floor? And so this this is your approximation of a grown-up, Davis? Really? Seriously? My father wears a jacket and tie every day of his life.
- You want to be your father? - God, no.
But at some point, I imagine myself being some version of him.
Maybe a husband with a cat and a dog and a lawn, lawn furniture.
It's not gonna happen, my friend.
You are DJ Davis, the one and only.
I gotta get rid of that guy.
Fucker's holding me back.
There he is, there he is! Right there.
Hey! Hey! They're shooting, they're shooting! Somebody's motherfuckin' shooting, man! Shit, they're shooting.
Fuck that, man.
- Stay down! - You see who it was? Somebody help me! Call for help! You ran the good race, little brother.
Davis, what the fuck? - Look at this goof.
- I'm baptizing myself.
Please get out of the river.
- Ha, that's stupid.
- I'm laying down my burden.
What are you dressed as? The bright Mississippi, wash me clean.
There you go.
We normally don't put them into the river until they're ashes.
- It's kind of a rule, Davis.
Whoa! I'm born again, baptized in this muddy water! I am no longer DJ Davis.
I am Mr.
McAlary! Whoo! Be careful.
DJ Davis is dead.
- I don't think so.
- No.
I am Mr.
McAlary.
Like my father and his father before him.
I don't think your father ever walked in the Mississippi River in his best suit.
No.
Not sober, anyway.
They should have been here by now.
By the way, I want to thank you for everything you've done for the boys.
And them coming to live here now, that wasn't easy for you, I know.
It's the right thing.
Well, you know what they say.
Takes a village, right? You need one fucked-up musician, a taxpaying dentist And your damn-near-bipolar, what-does-she-want-today, crazy-ass bar owner.
- That's some woman, ain't she? - Yeah, she is.
Guys, there's food inside and your sister's waiting to see you.
We're okay, Dad.
How are they? It was scary, but they're okay.
News said seven wounded.
It was awful.
I'm gonna go check on the boys.
Thank God you're all okay.
By the grace of God.
It's okay.
Man, my shoes feel like science projects.
I got there's something crawling in there.
That serves you right.
To time and its passing.
I love you.
Of course you do, Davis.
Dance.
All right.
This is for the civil docket.
Robert Gilday versus Sheriff Gusman et al.
Who cares that a couple of politically connected people are in on the deal? Never happens otherwise.
- Bernardo Wade, man.
- And who the hell's that? He's Nagin's personal photographer.
We have him in our proposal as the compliance officer.
- Whatever that means.
- It means bagman for all I care.
Look, you can't get a deal through City Hall without Ray Nagin or his people laying in the cut somewhere.
So what? It's still a project that this city should want regardless.
The "Times-Pic" is still angry about the party Bernardo threw for Nagin last year, remember? Having him in this deal was a red flag.
Oh, Christ's sakes, it's New Orleans.
There's always a Bernardo Wade in the mix somewhere.
You telling me he stops this project? It's dead.
What we just saw up there was a sharpening of the knives.
I busted my ass for three years to get this thing built.
I pissed off the mayor.
I pissed off the lieutenant governor.
I pissed off everyone else down the line along the way, but who cares if the thing gets built? Who cares? We'd have a national venue for New Orleans music.
But now? Go play some trumpet, kiddo.
You'll feel better in the morning.
Hey, hey, how are you? Whoa, what's eating you? You sued me, Toni.
Oh, come on, honey.
I sue everybody.
You know that.
How's the bread pudding, hmm? There you go.
I ever tell you my Harry Lee story? Oh, about a million times.
No, I don't think I ever did.
And you can deliver this to me? I can.
I absolutely guarantee it.
I'm tight with everyone who's in on the decision.
I can promise you that if that Jazz Center gets built, a Feeny restaurant will be a part of it.
You have my word.
I have one thing to ask in return.
Name it.
I had a long talk with Woodrow.
He's chomping at the bit.
Can't wait till I get back up there.
I mean, it makes sense for me to be based in New York.
There's no place down here for me to play my music.
Are we gonna find a place in Manhattan? I'm thinking Brooklyn.
More bang for your buck.
We'll need two bedrooms.
I want to have the baby here, Del.
I figured.
Your mama and your doctor.
I promised my daddy we'd raise him, or her, up in the tradition.
So we keep a foot in both places, right? Always.
But how? He hates me so much.
He likes money more.
What'd you give him? Mm.
You know something? I spent time in this town, made a lot of money.
And a friend of mine, a cousin, actually, once asked me if I ever built anything or if anything ever got fixed for all that I got paid.
When you put your sign up, take a little penknife, carve my initials in the bot of that sucker, okay? I'll do more than that.
You got this corner table any time you want it, gratis.
Oh, no, darling, I pay for my meals.
And I tip excessively.
Never worry the little stuff.
Mm.
All right.
Gotta go.
I'm in the wrong town.
Godzilla versus King Kong.
It's a flawed analogy, Davis.
If Fess is M.
L.
K.
, Booker is Gandhi.
So the Mahatma is the civil rights equivalent of Godzilla.
- Indeed.
- Okay, Godzilla versus M.
L.
K.
- Who wins? - Wait, wait, wait, wait.
That's a lyric.
- No! That's a song! - Oh, God, here we go.
Shit! That's a concept album.
Right? Right? What the fuck did I just say? Godzilla versus M.
L.
K.
Goin' to the place where I was born Long before this world was my home I gotta go, gotta go But I don't know when Oh, come with me, oh, if you can Oh, come with me, oh, if you can.
Thank you so much, you guys.
Thank you.
That one will be on our new record, which will be out this summer, we hope.
You know what? It's so good to be back in New Orleans after so long.
I have so many friends down here that I miss and actually, I see one of them right now.
It's my oldest friend here.
He's the one who dragged me to New Orleans and made me love the place.
This one is for him.
All right, you Nashville hotshots, every busker down here can play this one in, like, five different keys.
So we can do this.
Okay.
Love, oh, love Oh, careless love You fly through my head Like wine You wrecked the life Of many poor girls And you let me spoil This life of mine Love, oh, love Oh, careless love In your clutches of desire You made me break A many true vow Then you set my very soul On fire - - This is DJ Davis on WWOZ, the world's greatest radio station.
That was the late, great Earl King with "Ain't No City.
" Do you have your brass passes yet? Jazz Fest is coming and we do not want to get caught naked and bereft, now, do we? Davis.
- Attention, listeners Yes, Darnell? I just wanted to tell you that your shows the last few weeks have been really good.
Really tight.
Your shows they've been good.
Why would you say something like that? Why would you go there when you know how much that fucks me up? Do you understand the self-loathing involved when you, the station manager, comes in here to tell me that you enjoy what I'm doing, hmm? My mistake.
Darnell.
Dude, you're way too easy.
We hope to see you at the fest.
Hey, do you know how sometimes you hear a song that you've heard a million times before, and maybe you're even tired of hearing it but this time maybe because of something you've been through or maybe because of something you now understand, you hear that song again maybe it's a new version, maybe not But you realize that there's a fresh world in there to be heard? Yeah.
Me, too.
I've never had this kind of feelin' With aching heart And my mind a-reelin' What's the matter? Here's the matter Here's what's wrong with me Do you know what it means To miss New Orleans? And miss it both night and day? I know that it's wrong Yet the feeling's getting stronger The longer I stay away Miss those moss-covered vines The tall sugar pines Where mockingbirds used to sing And I'd like to see That old lazy Mississippi Hurrying into spring The Mardi Gras The madness A Creole tune That fills the air I dream - What are you doing? - Come on.
- Of oleanders in June - Do you want to play it? - No, I don't.
- No, 'cause you can't.
Then soon I'm wishing I were there You're next, you know? Do you know what it means To miss New Orleans? The Saints, Saints.
'Cause that's where you left your heart The Saints are the world champions! There's one thing more How I miss the ones I care for Just like I miss New Orleans Joey Abreu.
This is my son.
Between the American Negro and the irradiated lizard, I believe that we can forge a friendship and walk into the sunset, hand in hand, and solve all of our differences as friends.
So this epic battle goes, that of which I said Godzilla and Martin Luther King Morning or afternoon? Uh, morning.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
What about you? A Crown and Coke, please.
The moonlight On the bayou A Creole tune That fills the air I dream Of magnolias in bloom Then soon I'm wishing That I were there Do you know what it means To miss New Orleans? 'Cause that's where You left your heart And there's one thing more How I miss The ones I care for Just as much As I miss New Orleans.