Music
Wardell Quezergue, Music for Children Ages 3 to 103 (Jazz Foundation of America)
They don’t call this guy “the Creole Beethoven” for nothing. Despite its title, this isn’t just a kids’ CD. Some of the material has rather simple nursery rhythms and arrangements—hence […]
Obituary: Juanita Brooks (1954-2009)
Juanita Brooks, a jazz and gospel singer perhaps best known for her stint in the extremely popular stage production, “One Mo’ Time”, died unexpectedly September 9, 2009 of complications from […]
Classic Songs of Louisiana: “You Are My Sunshine”
Not only was “You Are My Sunshine” declared Louisiana’s official state song in 1977, it is a pretty safe bet that it’s probably the only song with a bridge named […]
Henry Gray and the Cats, Times are Gettin’ Hard (Lucky Cat)
Scotlandville blues piano legend Henry Gray is one of those rare musicians—in the blues field they can be counted on one hand— whose style is instantly recognizable. Case in point […]
Ace Honored
Although its head office was located 185 miles away in Jackson, Mississippi, Ace Records was in effect New Orleans’ first independent record label. It was owned by the gregarious Johnny […]
Solid Gold
This year, 2009, is Irma Thomas’ 50th year as an entertainer. To mark the occasion, her record company of 24 years, Rounder, is releasing Soul Queen of New Orleans 50th […]
Snooks Eaglin, Baby, You Can Get Your Gun (Hep Cat)
Very much a politically incorrect album title, this is a reissue of the album that marked the beginning of Eaglin’s long and fruitful association with Camp Street’s Black Top label. […]
Various Artists, Sound of New Orleans, 1992-2005 (Fremeaux Associes)
This is a two-CD French compilation that cherry picks the catalog of Gary Edwards’ Sound Of New Orleans label. S.O.N.O. has always been very much a blue-collar label. Their roster […]
Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, Talk to You by Hand (Hep Cat)
This was the initial offering from Black Top back in 1981, and it stands the test of time. The Rockets were a band out of Dallas, a poor man’s Fabulous […]
Various Artists, The Roots of Hip Hop (Harte)
I don’t know if all of these songs are the ancestors of hip-hop, but this is a first class collection of vintage blues, gospel and R&B. The album attempts to […]
