A classic Mardis Gras (or pre-Mardis Gras) show, including their wonderful anti-Mardis Gras tune, "Ain't Ready for It". The just-the-Radiators parts of this show are pretty fine too. This is an awesomely good show! Earl's jangly, bluesy guitar and gravelly voice are a perfect match for the Radiators, who are, quite obviously, big fans of his. I first heard of Earl King just after he died, when the Funky Meters did a mini-tribute to him, and I said, "hey, I know those songs!" Now, thanks to the magic of the Archive, I'm able to hear the man himself, sitting in with one of New Orleans' finest rock bands.
The five songs I list as highlights are stellar and well worth it as is the rest of the show. Despite the technical problems, Im grateful that this show was recorded and is available on this site. This is a great show with the historical appearance of Earl King and great playing by the Radiators which rates five stars. These are evident after Trick Bag, Corrina, and after Aint Ready For it (which was the worst as the spoken needless comment at the end is repeated seconds later for the intro of Iko Iko). Some of the cuts between songs werent done well. About 2:40 into Long Hard Journey Home there is some CB radio interference that lasts off and on for 15 seconds. On the technical side, the sound is good, crisp and clear with some stereo evident. I wonder if the slowed down tempo was real or due to the taping. Two of my upbeat favorites Shoot Out The Lights and Love Is A Tangle were slowed down a little with Tangle being elongated without any added value. Also of interest was the Rads take on the Ray Charles classic Lonely Avenue and CCRs Down On The Corner. The highlights for me were Mood For Love, I Cant Stand The Rain > Sneaking Sally Through The Alley, Early In The Morning and Dead Shrimp Blues. Right near the start of the first set they give the proper instructions to the audience with a classic Lets Radiate followed by Spencer Bohrens suggestive tune Straight 8.
They were in a great groove as it was Mardi Gras in the French Quarter complete with tunes for the season: Carnival Time and Aint Ready For It. The first and third sets were mostly pure Radiators. The Earl King segment in the middle set is totally different than the Radiators groove, yet they seamlessly shed their trademark sounds and become the Earl King backup band without missing a beat playing an Earl King Greatest Hits set.