Essential New Orleans Music

Posted by: mikeeschman on 14 November 2008

For the past few days, I have been flushing the Brahms out of my brain with some favorite New Orleans music.

There are three cds that really give you the flavor of traditional clubbing in New Orleans that are easy to obtain and cheap :

(1) Keys to the Crescent City - some of the many flavors of keyboard stylings that make New Orleans music special and rarely make it out of town.

(2) Crescent City Gold - what New Orleans has sounded like since the 50s.

(3) Johnny Adams : One Foot in the Blues - simply the best crooner that New Orleans ever produced.

If you have these three cds and a couple of pounds of shrimp, you can throw a New Orleans party at home - even in the UK :-)
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by JRHardee
I'd add "Crawfish Fiesta" by Professor Longhair, "Gumbo" by Dr. John, and a couple of sixpacks of Abita Turbodog.
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by John M
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by mikeeschman
i don't have the loup garou, got the others - they are all great.

some like Dr. John City Lights. I think it is his best.

the meters put an album out "Fire on the Bayou"
that really kicks. we got to go to the album party at jimmy's uptown. highly recommended.
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by John M
quote:
Originally posted by mikeeschman:
i don't have the loup garou, got the others - they are all great.

some like Dr. John City Lights. I think it is his best.

the meters put an album out "Fire on the Bayou"
that really kicks. we got to go to the album party at jimmy's uptown. highly recommended.


Saw Sunpie at the jazzfest and he was breaking it down for everyone. I like my Dr. John nasty like Gris Gris or Babylon. Fiyo on the Bayou is an all time album - got it on vinyl original issue and it is kickin for certain. The syncopation is a marvel. I just love that first track "Chicken Scratch" on Struttin, and the cover to boot. The first time I heard Johnny Adams was "Georgia Morning Dew" and when he hits those high notes, I ran out and bought the album real quick. Eddie Bo? Forget about it. Funky as hell. But don't Fats Domino and maybe Frankie Ford belong on this list? OOOHH I forgot this one:



I gotta get down there soon. Never been to Jimmy's. But I do see people like Galactic, Morning 40 Federation, etc. when they come up my way.
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by mikeeschman
my wife tuned for alan toussaint for 10+ years.
he still isn't back from huriccane katrina.
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by John M
His songs are among my all time favorites, regardless of genre. "What is Success" "What do you want the girl to do" "Southern Nights" "Viva La Money" "Soul Sister" "Am I expecting too much"
Posted on: 14 November 2008 by fama
Just heard this band on the radio at the london jazz festival:they are amazin new orleans style :
Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra
they have an album out We are MTO

worth a look reminded me of Rebirth jazz band
Posted on: 15 November 2008 by John M
Having grown up with Steven in Berkeley, I will have to have a listen. Great musician, nice guy. When I lived in NY used to run into him when he was sitting in with TMBG. Thanks for that, I had lost track.
Posted on: 15 November 2008 by Skip
Hard to beat the real thing. Try to go to JazzFest next year. All this music live. You won't be sorry.
Posted on: 16 November 2008 by mikeeschman
quote:
Originally posted by Skip:
Hard to beat the real thing. Try to go to JazzFest next year. All this music live. You won't be sorry.


Jazzfest is the best thing that happens in New Orleans, period.
Posted on: 16 November 2008 by Skip
Last Train to Memphis by Bobby Charles.
Going Back to New Orleans by Dr. John.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 1976. Live.

Maybe hard to find but worth the effort.

Skip.
Posted on: 18 November 2008 by Howlinhounddog
quote:
His songs are among my all time favorites, regardless of genre. "What is Success" "What do you want the girl to do" "Southern Nights" "Viva La Money" "Soul Sister" "Am I expecting too much"


Caught Alan Toussaint in Perth earlier this year. In his seventies and still looking and sounding good. Ah those southern nights...
Posted on: 18 November 2008 by John M
quote:
Originally posted by Howlinhounddog:
quote:
His songs are among my all time favorites, regardless of genre. "What is Success" "What do you want the girl to do" "Southern Nights" "Viva La Money" "Soul Sister" "Am I expecting too much"


Caught Alan Toussaint in Perth earlier this year. In his seventies and still looking and sounding good. Ah those southern nights...


I saw him at the jazzfest and with elvis costello when they toured. Fantastic. Glad you caught a good show. Friends who have seen him more than once say that sometimes he does more talking than singing, and it drags the energy down. Cant imagine!
Posted on: 20 November 2008 by ewemon
Dr John- Gumbo
Dr John- Gris Gris
Neville Brothers- Fiyo on the Bayou
Earl King- Earls Pearls

amongst others like Lloyd Price, Fats Domino, James Booker, Prof Longhair, Huey Piano Smith, Frankie Ford, Irma Thomas, Champion Jack Dupree, Smiley Lewis,Guitar Slim, Snooks Eaglin, Lazy Lester, Tab Benoit, Lightnin Slim, Slim Harpo and Little Sonny Jones.

Ther are many more where those came from.
Posted on: 21 November 2008 by fama
WE ARE MTO
STEVE BERNSTEIN
I was tryin to get a link to a pic anyway as before you should check this out.