Issue Articles
Deacon John’s Jump Blues: A great night in New Orleans makes its Vinyl debut
In 2003, Cyril Vetter and his Vetter Communications in Baton Rouge released one of the finest New Orleans music projects ever produced. An all-star celebration of the city’s golden age of rhythm and blues, the musically and technically excellent Deacon John’s Jump Blues originally consisted of a concert film, studio album and nationally aired documentary.
Steve Cropper Talks Back
As a producer, guitarist, songwriter and artist-and-repertoire man at Stax Records in Memphis, Steve Cropper helped generate a golden streak of soul hits.
Tom Bailey from the Thompson Twins Talks Back
Tom Bailey, who was one-third of the hit-making 1980s British trio the Thompson Twins, doesn’t have new music to promote this summer during his first American tour in six years. Nonetheless, he can make note of the 40th anniversary of the Thompson Twins’ best-selling album, 1984’s Into the Gap. Selling five million copies, Into the Gap generated international hits, including the sparkling “Hold Me Now” and “Doctor! Doctor!”
Legendary Session Musician Carol Kaye loves New Orleans musicians
Bassist and guitarist Carol Kaye’s thousands of rock and roll, pop and soul recording sessions produced classics by Sam Cooke, Ritchie Valens, Ray Charles, the Beach Boys, the Righteous Brothers, Petula Clark, Jackie DeShannon, Glen Campbell, Lou Rawls, Herb Alpert, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, the Monkees, Joe Cocker and so many more.
Dr. John: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya: Singles 1968-1974 (Omnivore)
As if anyone can forget the singular genius of Dr. John, a new collection of his Atco singles reminds us of his mos’ scocious musical medicine.
Louisiana Super Group the River Road Collective Leaves a Legacy Album
Louisiana’s River Parishes traditionally encompass the Mississippi River-bordering parishes between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. In 2016, singer, guitarist and songwriter Joe Tullos suggested to Radiators singer-guitarist Dave Malone that they collaborate for an album featuring themselves and their fellow River Parishes musicians.
Professor Longhair, Rugged and Funky: A Long-Awaited Documentary
Two recent New Orleans screenings of Professor Longhair, Rugged and Funky, the marvelous full-length documentary about the New Orleans singer-pianist who inspired generations of musicians, raised funds to cover music licensing fees for the nearly complete project. Even though family-members of Henry Roeland Byrd, a.k.a. Professor Longhair, appear in the film, they can’t grant permission for use of his music because they don’t possess the rights.
Ani DiFranco talks back
Ani DiFranco knows what it means to miss New Orleans. She’s been away from the city since January. Performing eight shows a week on Broadway, singing, dancing and acting the role of Persephone in the Tony and Grammy winning musical Hadestown.
Unique and Energetic: André Bohren is busy with a multi-tiered career
Last year at the Jazz Fest Kids’ Tent, André Bohren and the Electric Yat Quartet performed Peter and the Wolf, Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonic work for children. This year Bohren and the string quartet will present an encore of Peter and the Wolf as well as a new segment, music trivia for youngsters. The trivia part of the show will include music from the animated feature film Toy Story, the Beatles’ children’s song, “Yellow Submarine,” and more melodies plucked from pop culture.
Cajunize: 50 Years of BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
In February, the world’s most famous Cajun band celebrated its 50th anniversary year with two nights of concerts. The Grammy-winning BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet invited a stage full of friends and collaborators to the hometown party at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette. Guests included Sonny Landreth, Don Vappie, Dickie Landry, Steve Conn, Tiff Lamson, Annick Colbert, Gary Newman, Chad Viator and former BeauSoleil members Tommy Alesi and Jimmy Breaux.
