Half of the artists involved in this release are New Orleanians who evacuated to Texas immediately after Hurricane Katrina. The other half are Texas musicians who wanted to assist their neighbors. Everything from studio time to publishing was donated, with the album’s proceeds going to Tipitina’s Foundation to help Gulf Coast musicians rebuild their lives. Familiar names here are Coolbone, Rockin’ Jake, Big Daddy O and John Autin. As you’d expect, there’s a variety of styles here. Nitzinger and D.O.M. are rocking bands, Dennis Cavalier is a capable boogie pianist, Crawfish, of course, is a Cajun band and B & the Buzz are a traditional Dixieland group. Being that most of the material here was written after Katrina, most of the artists wear their emotion on their sleeves. Granted every New Orleans cliché is covered here – dancing in the street at Mardi Gras, cooking gumbo, eating red beans, partying all night – but I can guarantee you that’s stuff we New Orleanians will never again take for granted. There’s nothing that equals Fats Domino’s emotional “Walkin’ To New Orleans,” but Big Daddy O’s “Louisiana Moon” might just put a lump in your throat. Lots of good music here and it’s proceeds are going to a worthy cause.