Music
Rusty Zinn, Confessin’ (Black Top)
What I’d like to do here is talk about production. Most roots CDs are recorded with all the digital bells and whistles afforded to modern bands, and while I’m not […]
Amadee Castenell, Sax Dreams (NYNO)
For his second CD on the New York-based NYNO label, St. Aug alumni Amadee Castenel assembled half a dozen of New Orleans’ finest contemporary jazz musicians, including his mentor and […]
Terrance Simien, Positively Beadhead (Tone-Cool)
Just as Clifton Chenier blended the sounds of his day to give birth to the crying baby of zydeco, similarly in the nineties, Terrance Simien uses contemporary materials to coin […]
Lenny McDaniel, The Blues Side (Café Au Lait Music)
Lenny McDaniel‘s fourth CD is urban music to the nth degree: slick (but not overly so), clean, streamlined, and filled with the kind of confidence that comes from a thick […]
Leeroy Thomas with Special Guest Leo Thomas, I’m A Bad Sucka For Ya (Bad Weather)
Last summer the father-son, dressed-to-the-nines zydeco tandem Leo and Leeroy Thomas had hopes of being the first z-band to release consecutive discs within nine months. A month after their dog […]
Duke Ellington, The Duke Ellington Centennial Edition (RCA Victor)
Duke Ellington couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present than this. In commemoration of the legendary jazz composer’s 100th birthday, RCA Victor has released this stunning, twenty-four CD retrospective […]
Hadda Brooks, I’ve Got News For You (Virgin/Pointblank)
“I saw you last night … but you weren’t with her,” Hadda Brooks informed a tuxedo-clad newlywed sitting next to his bride before draping her arms around his neck and […]
Keith Frank, Live at Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki (Shanachie)
This ’98 Labor Day weekend gig, Frank’s first live recording, is zydeco heaven. Frank’s Soileau Zydeco Band is known for four hour shows without a pause. But on holiday weekends […]
Various Artists, Get You A Healin’ (Independent)
Get You a Healin’ is one topic-oriented benefit album that doesn’t trip over its own shoes making its point. Dozens of musicians, some of whom have dealt with serious health […]
Various Artists, Eddie Bo’s Funky Funky New Orleans/Senator Jones’ Funky Funky New Orleans/ Jazzy Funky New Orleans (Funky Delicacies)
This latest batch from Funky Delicacies (Night Train Record’s sister label) appears to have been assembled from my 45 collection. Like my collection, these funk anthologies feature some great sides […]
