Thursday, November 17, 2011

Babe Stovall - The Ship Is At The Landing



I used to see and hear Babe Stovall playing around the French Quarter in New Orleans when I lived there in 1965 and 1966 and when I went back on visits in the 1970s.

Once in 1971 or so I was on Madison Street in the French Quarter very early in the morning when it was just daylight and no one was on the streets. I saw Babe Stovall rounding the corner on Chartres Street and said "Hi Babe". He must have been up all night playing a house party. He said "How're you doin?" I told him I was tired. He asked how old I was. I said I was 31. He said, "When I was 31 I could piss over the tops of these buildings". And off he went. I have never forgotten his remark. Thanks Babe.