The Fab Four

Having been able to grace the four iconic streets in our American Dream, I sat and thought about what each one means and feels afterwards. So here's that.

Broadway, Nashville.

This was the first of the four and we were newbies at this 'street' experience in the US. Excited, going to the Grand Ole Oprey as well. Broadway is a wonderful strip. It contained everything we had expected and more really.
Let's start from the bottom up. Nashville is Country. But in a really good way. We're split on this to a degree, 'cause Jake can get into the whole country thing, but I'm kinda mmmmmmmmm....... you know, that, don't want it to grow on you attitude. Its an age thing.
It's clean, in every way. Not manicured, but tended, respected and enjoyed because of what's there.
The music and the talent is as good as it gets and the great thing, is that inside all this cowboy boot
music, there is also some fabulous blues and bluegrass and singers that make you listen! Loved loved loved the place.

Beal Street, Memphis.

On the road, we were upbeat and excited about 'Walking in Memphis'. Why not, to me, again with my Americana Hat on, it's gonna be full of Dr. John's buddies. Memphis is the blues man, that Southern soul, that morphed into Rock and Roll, it's legendary!
Nah, not for us. We'd booked for three nights and rolled out after one. So why was that? Well, picture this. The strip is about half the length of Broadway and here's the bit I hated, it's blocked off at each end after 6 or 7 in the evening, the police funnel everyone into a line and check I.D. of everyone who goes in! WTF! Bit of a police state thing going down here.
It's dirty, not in the down and dirty way mind, it was grubby. Like a cheap motel room really. We were let down by the music on offer, the standard of the guys doing it and the vibe in the bars and food houses. The BBQ was great, probably the best we had, so rep saved there, but Memphis is Elvis and if you ain't into Elvis...........

Bourbon Street, New Orleans.

OK, we were 'clever' enough to find our accommodation online back in the UK and that kinda helped the whole time we spent here. We stayed in the Marigny district, very close to Frenchman Street and only a 20 minute stroll to the heart of Bourbon Street. Norleens is sassy, in that real Southern Smokey way you always hoped it would. It has a great vibe, the bars are inviting, the music is cultured. Food is great too, catfish and jambalaya and po boys. Bourbon street was fun, it was lively, it was bloody great. We loved every single minute here. It ticked every box we could throw at it and that was good.

Duval Street, Key West.

We almost made it here a few years ago. We sailed away on the good ship Southern Rock out of Miami on the day that Hurricane Sandy snogged that city hard. We were aiming for Key West and a days hard bouncing Southern Style, but Sandy was sucking the good ship Lollipop well and we got diverted to Cozumel.  OK, it was OK, but it wasn't bloody Duval Street.
This place is classsy, with three s's! It has culture and style and elegance and it still rocks! The music and ambiance is genuine, it's not forced, it just vibes along and it was so different to any of the other three streets.
It was bloody hot mind and humid and sultry and all those other words that make you sweat just reading them. Jeez that place was DAMP! But it was September and we knew what to expect so just kick back and enjoy the Jimmy Buffet way of life.

How would I rate them? Given this loads of thought and this is where I am.

1. Broadway in Nashville gets top billing.
2. Bourbon Street/Frenchman in New Orleans comes second only because it's kinda divided into two streets and that's almost cheating.
3. Duval Street in Key West. Of all the streets, this is the only one that we feel we have unfinished business. So this will feature again some time on the road trip, (hopefully.)
4. Beale Street, Memphis.
Now I know there will be more than enough folk think this is soooo wrong, but Beale Street has got old and it just ain't perty anymore.