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Music

T.O. Music Notes

Rating: NNNNN


The minute the levees overflowed and global news networks started showing the devastation wrought by Katrina 24/7, socially conscious citizens were planning benefits to help victims of the natural disaster.

There are tons of ways to donate to hurricane relief, but this Saturday’s Rise benefit at the Silver Dollar is a worthy option. First, cuz the stellar bands involved – the Deadly Snakes, the Hidden Cameras and the Sadies – will probably never again share the same bill. More importantly, 100 per cent of the proceeds raised will go to actual musicians displaced by Katrina.

“This benefit seemed particularly appropriate, since guys like Alvin Robinson, Allen Toussaint and Ernie K-Doe formed the foundation of my musical tastes,” says Deadly Snake Max McCabe-Lokos. “They’re the real deal we’re just aping them.”

As McCabe-Lokos notes, the largely unknown poor and middle-class musicians who’ve been playing half their lives, and who formed the foundation of the area’s musical culture, are hugely in need of assistance. Sadly, because many of them are between jobs or self-employed, they lose out in the health care lottery.

That means organizations like the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund (the recipient of the majority of funds from the Rise benefit the rest goes directly to N’awlins savants Quintron & Miss Pussycat and producer Jerry Teel), a non-profit that provides health care services to musicians, are crucial.

McCabe-Lokos, who was touched by organizer Chris Trowbridge’s total emotional investment in the benefit, laughs when I ask if there’s any connection between the different artists.

“Could the Deadly Snakes be the link between the baroque pop sensibilities of the Hidden Cameras and the instrumental twang of the Sadies?”

Only one way to find out – show up and shell out for the cause.

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