New Orleans Music
Posted by: mikeeschman on 07 November 2009
I gave this a listen with a cup of coffee this morning. It is a great example of the current "state of the art" in New Orleans bar bands.
I don't know what a music experience is like in Europe, or almost anywhere else for that matter,
but would like to comment on what it's like here in New Orleans.
Imagine a nice cool April evening in a bar that opens on to a big well treed patio, tables filled with people, packed with dancers and a long bar with 8 bartenders, full to capacity.
If you were sitting in that bar with a woman for whom there is mutual chemistry, and this band played "When You Get Back", well, that would be a night to remember.
Anyone else have New Orleans favorites?
Posted on: 07 November 2009 by Mat Cork
Posted on: 07 November 2009 by mikeeschman
Mat, with your interest in cultural context, this might be a disk for you :-)
It gives you a good idea of what is being played around the city these days, that has been around here for a while. I would have to say this album could stand as a reference point for traditional music in New Orleans, as it is being practiced today.
At any rate, a good introduction to the current local scene.
Posted on: 07 November 2009 by mudwolf
looks good, I'll have to buy something. yeah I bet the music scene is good there. I thought of coming out just after Christmas but a friend can't find me a reasonable flight. One woman said it was a good time to travel there. Talking with another woman she thought March or April would be best especially to see the spring bloom.
Posted on: 07 November 2009 by mikeeschman
quote:
Originally posted by mudwolf:
looks good, I'll have to buy something. yeah I bet the music scene is good there. I thought of coming out just after Christmas but a friend can't find me a reasonable flight. One woman said it was a good time to travel there. Talking with another woman she thought March or April would be best especially to see the spring bloom.
Jazzfest is in April, which is nice but can be rainy. It's a chance to see 300-400 local bands over a two week period, but the price of everything in town goes up for Jazzfest.
Posted on: 08 November 2009 by Dave J
Not a traditional choice but I'm a big fan of
AfroskullPosted on: 13 November 2009 by mikeeschman
Last night, I gave a listen to some James Booker, the legendary New Orleans pianist. In the movie "Dreamgirls", Eddie Murphy says R & B means rough and black. He's talking about James Booker.
His music isn't for everyone, the sound is so raw and urgent. But if you're up to it, this is some of the most rhythmically inventive music you will ever hear, and with the emotional impact of a brick through a plate glass window.
It reminded me of why other pop music is so often disappointing for me. Even an average bar band here in New Orleans will mix latin and R & B, and keep three or four sub-rhythms going all the time, over a rock solid beat that never wavers. People don't do that anywhere else, at least here in the U.S.
James Booker, a unique and vital voice of New Orleans.
Highly recommended.
Posted on: 13 November 2009 by mikeeschman
Sorry, name of the James Booker CD would be nice :
Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah [LIVE]
Posted on: 13 November 2009 by fama
Rebirth brass band
Posted on: 13 November 2009 by fama
Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra
"old fashioned jazz with a modern twist"
