Music
Johnette Downing: Jumpin’ Jitters It’s Halloween (Wiggle Worm Records)
Right in time for October 31, Johnette Downing has a Halloween record out that will entertain both kids and adults.
Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band: New Beginnings… (Bloodline Music)
It’s almost a curse being the son of a famous musician, especially when yo’ big daddy is the legendary Buckwheat Zydeco, who elevated Zydeco to worldwide prominence. If you don’t measure up, there will be plenty happy to cut you down to size. Sir Reginald Dural understands that but embraced the challenge anyway by assuming the stage name of Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr.
Joshua Redman featuring Gabrielle Cavassa: Where Are We (Blue Note)
Joshua Redman, certainly one of the most renowned saxophonist and composers of this era, gathers together an ace quartet and features vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa on Where Are We.
Julian Primeaux: Songs For The Heart of Sister Flute (Nature & Grain Music)
If you’ve only seen Julian Primeaux as zydeco accordionist Corey Ledet’s slingin’ sideman guitarist, Songs For the Heart of Sister Flute is the artistic side he’d prefer you to hear. It’s the fiery blues rocker’s fourth album and the second of a loosely themed trilogy regarding how emotional experiences affect the heart.
Stephen Walker: Midnight Cocktails (Independent)
One can almost hear trombonist, composer and bandleader Stephen Walker saying, “Hey, kick it off, Herlin” to drummer Herlin Riley on Midnight Cocktails’ hot opening number, “Blues Walker.”
Gregg Hill: Bayou St. John (Skippy Records)
Bayou St. John is Gregg Hill’s sixth overall record and second since relocating to the Crescent City in 2018. It’s also his first album recorded in New Orleans.
Leftover Salmon: Grass Roots (Compass Records)
Leftover Salmon’s Drew Emmitt shared recently in an interview that original material wasn’t being written fast enough to hit the studio. So, bassist and producer Greg Garrison suggested an album of covers, the kind bluegrass upstarts Leftover String Band and Salmonheads played in their early days at the Telluride festival campground before those bands merged and became Leftover Salmon.
Louis Michot: Rêve du Troubador (Nouveau Electric Records)
Anyone familiar with the career progression of Lost Bayou Ramblers’ fiddlin’ frontman Louis Michot can sense he has plenty to say and seemingly infinite interests.
Paul Sanchez: Between Friends … and Me (PSM)
When Paul Sanchez wrote a song, nearly 20 years ago, for Darius Rucker to sing, the Hootie frontman was not happy with its tone or title: “Nothing Here.” Rucker didn’t like the negativity, Sanchez notes now. Rucker changed the title and a few of the lyrics, and abracadabra… “Something Here.” Positively.
Lucinda Williams: Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart (Highway 20/Thirty Tigers)
With a little help from her friends, Lucinda Williams more than gets by with Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart.
