Music
Jon Cleary, So Swell (Newvelle Records)
Cleary is the outlier in this group, an artist in his prime with a recent Grammy and presumably the opportunity to record for the major label of his choice. It’s […]
Ellis Marsalis with Jason Marsalis, For All We Know (Newvelle Records)
If Newvelle’s intent is to make albums that are stand-alone works of art, this is a masterpiece. Once more the black and white cover portrait speaks volumes. Marsalis would not […]
Corey Ledet, Corey Ledet Zydeco (Nouveau Electric Records)
The title of Corey Ledet’s 2004 debut 3 Years 2 Late was his way of saying it was already three years overdue when it finally hit the streets. Since then, […]
Future Cowboys, Life on Mars! (Independent)
The big bass sound and treated vocals greeting the listener at the beginning of the Future Cowboys’ second release Life on Mars! suggest right from the get-go that this album […]
Max and the Martians, Stay at Home Demos (Independent)
When it comes to songwriting, Covid-19 has really been the elephant in the room; even the Swifts and McCartneys who’ve made entire albums since the spring haven’t seen fit to […]
Ghalia Volt, One Woman Band (Ruf Records)
A Belgian firecracker recently based in New Orleans, Ghalia Volt idiosyncratically embraces the American South’s indigenous blues. Her intentionally raw third album, One Woman Band, is boldly minimalist and musically […]
Smoking Time Jazz Club, Mean Tones and High Notes (Independent)
As the new generation of traditional jazz bands in New Orleans matures, many of the musicians are exploring the deep roots of the genre and discovering numerous gems in the […]
Randal Despommier, Dio C’è (Outside in Music)
Alto saxophonist Randal Despommier grew up outside New Orleans, where exposure to a rich gumbo of musical styles fueled his thirst to explore even more influences from his studies in […]
Wayne Ewing, The Outsiders of New Orleans (Loujon Press)
One of the first things that come to mind when Charles Bukowski is brought up in conversation is, at least for this critic, the Matt Dillon film “Factotum.” Dillon’s role […]
New Orleans Nightcrawlers, Atmosphere (Threadhead Records)
“Who’s in the band?” is often the first question asked by ardent music enthusiasts. When it comes to the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, the answer is: “All ace players on […]
