Louisiana Spice: 25 Years Of Louisiana Music On Rounder Records
Artist: various
Label: Rounder Records
Released: 1995
Number of Tracks: 32
Duration: long
Website: https://www.rounder.com
Review by Charles "Dutch" Metzker
From its humble beginnings in 1970 as a free concert for a few hundred locals, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has grown into one of the world’s largest music gatherings, each spring drawing hundreds of thousands from all over the world. Jazzfest, as it’s known locally, has both stimulated and reflected out-of-state interest in Louisiana music. It was once a rarity for Cajun, zydeco and second-line R&B acts to ever leave the state; now dozens of them make the circuit of baby-boomer, roots-music dance clubs. Rounder Records, which made a major commitment to Louisiana music in the mid-’80s, has reaped the benefit of the scene’s growing popularity. Here the Boston indie label celebrates its own prescience with a two-CD anthology. This collection covers a lot of ground, from the old-fashioned brothel piano of Tuts Washington to the funky brass arrangements of the Rebirth Brass Band, from the ancient Cajun song styles of David Doucet, to the hip-hop-influenced zydeco of L’il Brian and the Zydeco Travelers.
For those new to the genre, this compilation is the right place to start. It introduces the listener to a good cross section of both artists and styles, and presents a showcase of the rich diversity found in Louisiana music. There is probably something for just about everyone here.
City disc
Track 1 – 5:28 – Dirty Dozen Brass Band – Mardi Gras in New Orleans is their only live recording.
Track 2 – 4:27 – Marcia Ball – That’s Enough of That Stuff – Alvin “Red” Taylor plays solo tenor sax
Track 3 – 3:17 – James Booker – Three Keys – One of New Orleans greatest pianist passed in 1983
Track 4 – 1:54 – Isadore “Tuts” Washington – Tee Nah Nah – One of the last New Orleans “professors.“
Track 5 – 6:09 – Bo Dollis, Monk Boudreaux Rebirth Brass Band – Shoo Fly – Their music has a direct link to African sources
Track 6 – Walter “Wolfman” Washington – On the Prowl – is pure New Orleans funk Supercharged drums with Wilbert “Junkyard Dog” Arnold
Track 7 – 3:27 – Dalton Reed – Back On Track – an original with get-up-and-dance spirit and soul music groove.
Track 8 – 3:09 – Irma Thomas – Hold to Gods Unchanging Hand – funky piano on this gospel themed piece
Track 9 – 4:23 – Champion Jack Dupree – Hometown New Orleans – what a character, awesome drinking song and keep the women happy oh yeah
Track 10 – 5:20 – Johnny Adams – Down That Lonely, Lonely Road – nice horn work traveling and looking for someone special
Track 11 – Professor Longhair – Tipitina – great bongo and piano – she’s a honey, little mama wants a dollar
Track 12 – 3:10 – Bo Dollis & Wild Magnolias – Coconut Milk – another very lively New Orleans jazzy Mardi Gras song
Track 13 – 2:34 – Eddie Bo – Hard Times – If I ever get a dollar I’m gonna squeeze it till it hollers – present day? Maybe!
Track 14 – 3:21 – Chuck Carbo – Meet Me at The Station – In the morning I’ve got to get away from here,with or without you
Pretty awesome disc, I rate it 8/10. Thanks always to Tom Baker for the wonderful music we listen to. We’ll tell you about the Country side next month, so stay tuned to our newsletter, socials, or website!
