Treme Excitement

I think that is was obvious from the opening credits of the first season of “The Wire” that David Simon is a music fan. There are few things that I am obsessed with in my life as much as music, but David Simon and “The Wire” are one of them. For the best television show ever made, he chose Tom Waitts “Down In the Hole” for the opening credits, and changed the performance for each season. He had the insight to know that Waitts wasn’t right for the first season and chose a version recorded by The Bilnd Boys of Alabama. It is with this musical excitement that I’m looking forward to Sunday night the premiere of the new David Simon project “Treme”. Where “The Wire” focused on drug trade and the slow urban death of Baltimore, “Treme” focuses on the neighborhood of “Treme” in New Orleans, and the musicians in that city starting three months after Katrina. Talk about high expectations.

I wonder what the musical influence will be like. The Wire was not scored, and the only time there was music was if it was coming from a passing car or a juke box in the bar, or the police were singing at a policemen’s wake. I wonder if Simon will take the same approach with Treme, and I hope he does. I’m excited to hear that city for the way it is with it’s street performers, and music spilling out of jazz clubs of the French Quarter. New Orleans is such a rich city musically, with history of jazz, blues, and now also a powerhouse for rap, with the Cash Money Millionaires and Lil Wayne. I can see Birdman playing from a passing by car, the same way it might when Chris and Snoop drove up in “The Wire”. It will be fascinating to watch a David Simon production about musicians without a score.

Next I am beyond excited for the characters. Wendell Pierce, who you may know as “Bunk” from “The Wire” is playing a trombone player who returns to the city to find his house in ruins. What you may not know is a Julliard trained actor and a New Orleans native. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes the richest character on screen, and I hope the Emmy’s don’t ignore this show the way they did “The Wire”.

Also from “The Wire”, Clark Peters will be joining the cast. He was Lester Freeman on the Wire, but he also has a long Broadway resume. He will be playing a character that plays an Indian Chief in the Mardi Gras parades. If you don’t know about the Mardi Gras Indians I suggest you look into it. For some reasons it’s one of the coolest and most vibrant cultural aspects of New Orleans, yet virtually unknown outside the region.

Also in the cast is Steve Zahn playing the character of Jazz DJ at the independent Jazz station, and is a complete music snob. I sort of wonder is Simon put a bit of himself in this character, because from what I heard is that he’s a bit of a jackass.

There will be some local musicians playing themselves on screen, so us non New Orleans residents will be introduced to established musical greats of the city. Simon also cast locals in “The Wire”, most notably casting ex gang member and ex-con Snoop as hit woman Snoop. While I Love Snoop, I am a bit more excited about the jazzmen of New Orleans. I also have heard that Elvis Costello will be making an appearance. I do not if he will be playing himself, but for the most part Elvis Costello can do no wrong.

David Simon and music collide, my life could be complete.