I just recently finished reading “Groove Interrupted: Loss, Renewal and the Music of New Orleans” by Keith Spera, the music writer for the city’s Times-Picayune.
It’s a great read, one of the best music books that I’ve picked up in a long, long time.
Spera shares the heartbreaking and inspiring stories of many of New Orleans’ musicians following Katrina.
He writes about Aaron Neville losing two loves -- his wife and his city. He reveals Alex Chilton living in a cottage in the Treme neighborhood. He takes us with Fats Domino as he visits Manhattan.
Spera also unveils rapper Mystikal after he is released from prison and bluesman Gatemouth Brown’s struggling with his declining health. He also takes us into Terence Blanchard’s world as he tries to translate Katrina into music.
The book is structured with each artist’s story as a chapter. Even if you aren’t into a particular artist’s music, don’t skip a section. Each story is riveting.
It’s cliche, I know, but I’ll say it: I didn’t want the book to end.
