As most everyone, I was shocked and appalled by the cavalier attitude and  response of our govt to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the days following the storm.

I was involved in various relief concerts in the weeks following Katrina in Los Angeles. One of which in Redondo Beach, CA where legendary guitarist and longtime friend Leo Nocentelli of the Meters showed up with over 20 members of his family including his 80+ year old grandmother who had had to leave New Orleans as their homes were gone. Following talks with Leo and other friends I had in N.O. a picture emerged of inept government response to total devastation and human suffering that we are all now too familiar with.

What angered me as much in the following weeks which turned into months was the inevitable transformation of the stories of all the victims in the Gulf Coast from Hurricane Katrina from Front Page news into backpage news and then not really news at all. The news cycle. Now it was all old news and on to the next. The  “hot” news story had “gone cold” hence the title The Big Easy’s Gone Cold.

I am honored to have the legendary singer Ray Sawyer, formerly of  Dr Hook, covering The Big Easy’s Gone Cold for a star studded compilation CD as part of the continuing, ongoing relief effort with proceeds going to Katrina victims... and to have a hand in the production and in playing bass, keys, harmonica, bari & tenor saxes and BGs on the song.

I’d like to thank Lee Thornburg on trumpet, trombone and horn arrangement, Bob Boykin on guitar and handling the lion’s share of the production and mixing and Zac Harmon on guitar and BGs  for donating their time and incredible talents.

And the need is still there...

If you have the means, there are many charities and organizations that could use your support. Please continue to do whatever you can.

Enjoy the song and let’s not forget about our friends - our brothers & sisters down South.

Jimmy Z

As my holiday gift, to you, I'm offering you a free download of Christina Vierra & my rockin' version of "Joy2TheWorld."

If you can't download it from your MySpace player, go to ZTribe.

Best Wishes,

jz

Jimmy was recently interviewed by the lovely ladies of the G*Spot show on HotMix106.com.

In this segment, Jimmy tells the story of a steamy after-hours adventure while on the road with the Eurythmics.

To listen, go to the music player and choose the last item - GSpot Interview.

Special thanks to the women of the G*Spot for allowing us to post the interview (click the pics to go to their myspace pages):

Laura Toni Cory

L to R: John Menzano, Matt Sorum, Slash, Eazy E, Jimmy Z, DJ Yella, Teddy ZigZag

In 1991, Slash and Matt Sorum had been hanging and jamming with my blues band the Capitol Homeboyz for the past year or so every Tuesday at the legendary Baked Potato in Hollywood. And when I say hangin' we're talkin' power hangin' with all the trimmings...porn stars, rock stars, rap stars.... up for days, yada yada,yada...

Guns N' Roses was the biggest rock group in the world at the time and NWA was the biggest rap group in the world. Both continually debuting at number 1 on the Billboard charts.

Axl was into NWA and used to wear an NWA cap during concerts.

Eazy E, Dr. Dre, Gary Ballen and I went to see a GnR concert at the Forum, Backstage Axl, Eazy and me had a conversation of collaborating. I was handed the job of putting it together.

Putting the session together wasn't easy considering the characters involved - i.e. schedules and bad habits - but I managed to do it.

We came up with a rocking track...as you do with that lineup.

The tough part was getting Easy E and Axl to finish the raps and lyrics...and getting them to keep their word to show up at the studio...

Man how I tried but to no avail....

We coulda been contenders.

[I don't know where the recordings are now]

Jimmy Z

January, 2008

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