When I sit back and think of The Big Easy, the tourist trail of Bourbon Street hardly enters my consciousness. What does come to mind? Rice and Beans, Gumbo, Tipitina’s, Mid-City Lanes Rock and Bowl, and of late, the changes this southern city has seen since the devastation of hurricane Karina.
And of course, the music of New Orleans is the heart and soul of this great city. Names like Professor Longhair, James Booker, Irma Thomas, Eddie Bo, Wolfman Washington and the Neville’s are only a handful of the people who have created a body of work that could come from nowhere else. A City Of Dreams: A Collection Of New Orleans Music is an excellent 4 CD taste of what you can find in the alleys and laneways there.
This release on Rounder Records does not claim to be a definitive exploration of all of the music that comes from N’Awilins, but it is a depiction of the artists whom Rounder has recorded over the last 30 plus years. In 1981, after some financial success with George Thorogood, Rounder was able to commence recording in New Orleans. True to the form of Rounder and their dedication to roots music, the artists they chose to record were the cream of funk, blues, and the heart of this city.
Packaged with a great deal of love, and some well written liner notes, by Sean Billington at Rounder, there are 4 CD’s in this package and each one has a theme. Big Easy Blues takes a look at some of the great vocalists like Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas, Ruth Brown and the late Gatemouth Brown.
The second disc in this collection is entitled Street Beat and aurally illustrates the music associated with the streets and the parades of Mardi Gras. Bo Dollis with Shoo Fly and Golden Crown take you to the second line of the parade where you get to shake your Indian head dress and try to look like the prettiest Injun in the parade. These tracks give you a true feel of a part of New Orleans music that we don’t get to hear very often on this part of the globe. Immerse yourself.
Funky New Orleans is the title of the third disc and it goes without saying that this town is funky. One of the stalwarts of this music is Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington and You Can Stay But The Noise Must Go is a superb example of funk from the Crescent City. Add some Irma Thomas, Solomon Burke and Johnny Adams and you will not be sitting down for long.
The Ivory Emperors rounds off this collection with the keyboard players. James Booker, Professor Longhair. Willie Tee and of course Art Neville display the talent that has been on show for many years at Piano Night, a concert event each year as part of the Jazz Festival held there. Make sure that when you decide to go to New Orleans for the Festival that you obtain tickets well in advance for this night of keyboard magic.
This collection gives you a great sample of the music that has evolved from the culture and souls of the individuals who have lived and worked there. Many have been displaced and the city has a long way to go, but the soul of the people may still rescue it from the tardy behaviour of the US government. Have a taste from this loving cup and support the artists and the culture of one of the most special places on earth, N’Awlins.
