This post has a very special musical accompaniment! Alan Lomax, the famed archivist, interviewed Rosalind Johnson in 1970 about living and working in New Orleans’ Storyville district back in its heyday. She performs When the Pale Moon Shines.
This is the interior of the Terminal Café in the Storyville district of New Orleans, back in May 1911. Notice the policemen having a drink! We had a post on Storyville, New Orleans’ infamous vice district, not too long ago!
Historical New Orleans Collection hnoc.org
Music is such a big part of New Orleans’ mythology, even the better class of brothels featured singers and musicians! This picture is from a birthday celebration for one of the madams, Josie Arlington. She’s seated on the left side of the picture. Ms. Arlington had a music room in her establishment.
Historical New Orleans Collection hnoc.org
old spirituals 
woww! I like the interview and singing!
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I made regular trips to New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Gramercy after my company purchased assets in Louisiana. Based on my experience, nothing I am told about the happenings in the State of Louisiana shocks or surprises me.
I will never forget the first time I was shown the “half bridge” across the Mississippi River at Gramercy, LA. The bridge is named the Veterans Memorial Bridge in honor of those men and women from Louisiana who have lost their life while in the military. It was built along with some other bridges as an answer to a ferry disaster of 1976 involving the George Prince ferry that was used to transport motor vehicles across the River. When I inquired why the bridge only spanned half of the River, the answer was simply, “The State didn’t have enough money for a whole bridge.” It was many years before the bridge was completed.
The best thing about Louisiana is its Provençal fare. My very first trip was hosted by a Native Son, the top person at one of the plants who was a graduate of LSU who majored in Chemical Engineering. He wanted me to be immersed in the food of small town Southern Louisiana. My meal consisted of several courses. I was most impressed with the fried gator tail, oyster and artichoke soup and the jambayala. Oh, and corn bread. I normally love shell fish but the declined the crawfish offered to me. Obviously, to this day I drool when I think of that meal.
On that same trip at a small facility I met with several of the production workers. One told me of a near death experience when the neighboring company’s plant had an explosion. If I could have understood his story I am certain I would have been able to respond with more than a head nod and an, “Oh, my goodness!” His very prominent cajun accent and the speed at which he spoke only allowed me to understand a few words of each sentence.
My stories regarding New Orleans mostly involve food and the attempts by the sidewalk “barkers” and “promoters” to attract us into a bar of “dance hall.” Frankly, I avoided Bourbon Street as much as possible. Every American, however, should experience it at least once.
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I agree with you on the cuisine! There is or was a restaurant with Louisiana style food in Charlotte that was so good. I’m a big fan of corn bread and their rice and beans with sausage. My friend Christie and I had tickets to meet up in New Orleans once but I wound up in the hospital and couldn’t go. That still makes me sad! Sometime I’d really like to see the place! It’s one of the states I still haven’t visited. That bridge could be a metaphor for bureaucratic government!
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I also love the beignets at the Cafê Du Monde and it’s chicory coffee. I also cherish the great muffulettas served in Louisiana.
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