Music
Frank Wess, The Flute Mastery of Frank Wess (Progressive)
Frank Wess, arguably one of the top jazz flutists of the twentieth century, passed away last October at the age of 91. While a member of Count Basie’s marvelous band […]
Daniel “Weenie” Farrow, Norbert Susemihl, Seva Venet, Kerry Lewis, Romantic New Orleans (Crazy Good New Orleans Jazz)
It’s all about the songs and their execution. When musicians who know the music like it is the veins in their hands and hearts play the classic songs and do […]
Various Artists, The South Side of Soul Street: The Minaret Soul Singles, 1967-1976 (Omnivore Records)
Getting a CD (double, no less) like this unexpectedly in the mail to review really makes my week. Minaret was briefly a busy Southern soul label that was an offshoot […]
Creole Stomp, Pipeliner’s Blues: Doin’ Time (MME)
Formerly Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp, Stroughmatt yanked his name from the moniker since Creole Stomp had become more than just its dynamic, longhaired frontman. Good move. It’s Creole Stomp’s […]
FIGHTs, Music for Villains (Independent)
When Lafayette’s J Burton heard Brian Eno’s “King’s Lead Hat” for the first time, he noticed something: a juxtaposition of sloppy rock with a dance beat, varied arrangements, dense sounds, […]
Rick Trolsen, Rick Trolsen’s New Orleans Po’Boys (Lort Records)
Rick Trolsen is an extremely versatile musician and certainly one of the top trombonists in the city. Indeed, no less of an authority than veteran bandleader Al Belletto has called […]
Jim Clayton, Songs My Daughter Knows (Clay-Tone)
Toronto-based pianist Jim Clayton considers New Orleans his home away from home. He spends considerable vacation time and got married here. He also decided to make his newest CD in […]
Leyla McCalla, Vari-Colored Songs: A Tribute to Langston Hughes (Music Maker Relief Foundation)
Leyla McCalla’s debut record as a leader is ambitious, deep and gorgeous. Playing an array (cello, guitar and banjo) of string instruments, her songs have sparse arrangements that give a […]
Ingrid Lucia, Living the Life (Independent)
Living the Life’s been a long time coming: Ingrid Lucia already discussed the album in an OffBeat cover story and promised a Voodoo-timed release a full 13 months ago. But […]
Mike Zito & the Wheel, Gone to Texas (Ruf Records)
The area between Breaux Bridge, Louisiana and Hunstville, Texas—a space roughly described by guitar slinger Mike Zito, musically and lyrically, on his fourth album—is stuffed to bursting with unknown roots […]
