New Orleans
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Funky New Orleans music grew out of and reflects a variety of musical traditions. Jazz and the reeds and horns of Dixieland, surprisingly, are not prevalent. Rather, the carnival spirit of Mardi Gras, the secretive patois of slavery-era voodoo practices, and basic Southern rhythm-and-blues hit-making formed the basis of a new, hip sound. First, the crucial talents of major songwriters and performers Professor Longhair, Alan Toussaint, Lee Dorsey, etc. established a distinctive New Orleans sound and style in popular music. Doors were opened for all sorts of acts that before had been limited to "Mardi Gras" songs performed locally if not also annually. A second phase began as New Orleans entered the soul and funk period. The Meters began their dynastic career as proto-funk masters, beginning with a few definitive instrumentals and evolving into backing for the remarkable Neville Brothers' singing talents and backing for other homegrown acts. On the wilder side, Bo Dollis' Wild Magnolias became the leading, funky Mardi Gras Indian act to achieve success. But it was Mac Rebennack as "Dr. John, the Night Tripper" (the historic Dr. John was a legendary Voodoo figure, something of a charlatan tyrant) who recorded the funky (and weird!) New Orleans canon. The classic Gris-Gris LP in particular served up authentic voodoo chants and ritual songs in a marvelously psychedelic feast of swamp sounds. Buying: Original New Orleans records are prized and always will be. Compilations and reissues mostly have served the major acts very well. All Meters on Josie is vital, but skip the tacky rock on Warner Bros. |
New Orleans LPs
| Rating | |
| 9 | African Music Machine: Black Water Gold; Soul Power LPS-3317; 2001?/ 1972-74 (compilation of their 4 singles) |
| 8 | Eddie Bo: Check Mr. Popeye; Rounder 2077; 1988/1959-62 (Eddie J. Bocage; singles compilation) |
| 9 | Eddie Bo & the Soul Finders: The Hook & Sling; Funky Delicacies DEL-LP-0006; 1996 (singles compilation) |
| 7 | Chocolate Milk: Action Speaks Louder than Words; RCA Victor APL-1-1188; 1975 (prod. Allen Toussaint, Marshal Sehorn) |
| The Dixie Cups: Chapel of Love; Red Bird 20100; 1964 | |
| The Dixie Cups: Iko Iko; Red Bird 20103; 1965 | |
| The Dixie Cups: Ridin' High; ABC/Paramount 525; 1966 | |
| 7 | The Dixie Cups: The Best of the Dixie Cups; Back-Trac 1001; 1985 (3,000 pressed) |
| The Gaturs: Wasted; Funky Delicacies DEL-LP-0001 | |
| 8 | Johnny Jenkins: Ton-Ton Macoute!; Atlantic/Atco/Capricorn SD-33-331; 1970 (w/Duane Allman) |
| 9 | Dr. John, the Night Tripper: Gris-Gris; Atlantic/Atco SD-33-234; 1968 |
| 7 | Dr. John: Babylon; Atlantic/Atco SD-33-270; 1968 (out) |
| 7 | Dr. John, the Night Tripper: Remedies; Atlantic/Atco SD33-216; 1970 |
| 8 | Dr. John, the Night Tripper: The Sun, Moon, & Herbs; Atlantic/Atco SD-33-362; 1971 |
| 7 | Dr. John's Gumbo; Atlantic/Atco SD-7006; 1972 (covers N.O. classics) |
| 8 | Dr. John: In the Right Place; Atlantic/Atco SD-7018; 1973 (w/the Meters) |
| 6 | Dr. John: Desitively Bonnaroo; Atlantic/Atco SD-7043; 1974 |
| 5 | Dr. John: Zu Zu Man; Trip TLP-0518 (earlier Night Tripper outtakes) |
| 5 | Dr. John: Anytime, Anyplace; Scepter/Barometer BRM-67001; 1974 (earlier session) |
| Ernie K-Doe; Brandy 70004 | |
| Ernie K-Doe, Vol. 2; Brandy 70005 | |
| 8 | Professor Longhair: New Orleans Piano (Blues Originals Vol. 2); Atlantic SD-7225; 1972/1949-53 |
| 7 | Professor Longhair: Live on the Queen Mary; Capitol/Harvest SW-11790; 1978/1975 |
| 6 | Professor Longhair: Crawfish Fiesta; Alligator AL-4718; 1980 |
| 8 | The Meters; Josie JOS-4010 |
| 9 | The Meters: Look-Ka Py Py; Josie JOS-4011 |
| 8 | The Meters: Struttin'; Josie JOS-4012 |
| 5 | The Neville Brothers: Fiyo on the Bayou; A&M SP-4866; 1981 |
| 7 | The Neville Brothers: Yellow Moon; A&M SP-5240; 1989 |
| 8 | Huey Smith & the Clowns: Havin' a Good Time; Ace LP-1004 (R&B/early but timeless) |
| 7 | Huey Smith & the Clowns: For Dancin'; Ace LP-1015 |
| 7 | Huey Smith & the Clowns: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas; Ace LP-1027 (also credits Dr. John Band) |
| Irma Thomas; Brandy 70003 | |
| Allen Toussaint: Wild Sounds of New Orleans; RCA Victor LPM-1767; 1958 | |
| 7 | Allen Toussaint: Toussaint; Scepter SPS-24003; 1970 (From a Whisper to a Scream; Ace/Kent 036; 1985) |
| Allen Toussaint: Life, Love & Faith; Reprise MS-2062 | |
| Allen Toussaint: Southern Nights; Reprise MS-2186 | |
| Allen Toussaint: Motion; Warner Bros. BSK-3142 | |
| 8 | The Wild Magnolias; Barclay; 1974 (Polydor PD-6026; w/Golden Eagles Chief Monk Boudreaux) |
| 9 | The Wild Magnolias: They Call Us Wild; Magnolias ME-0825; 1975 (w/Golden Eagles Chief Monk Boudreaux) |
| 6 | [Bo Dollis &] the Wild Magnolias: I'm Back--at Carnival Time!; Rounder 2094; 1990 (w/Golden Eagles Chief Monk Boudreaux) |
| 7 | The Wild Tchoupitoulas; Antilles AN-7052; 1976 (w/the Meters) |
Various-Artist New Orleans LPs
| Rating | |
| Various: All These Things; Brandy 70007 (compilation) | |
| 7 | Various: Carnival Time!--The Best of RIC Records Vol. 1; Rounder 2075; 1988/1958-61 (compilation) |
| 8 | Various: Funky Funky New Orleans; Tuff City/Funky Delicacies DEL LP-0011; 1997 (compilation/sampler w/extended mixes) |
| 7 | Various: Funky Funky New Orleans 2A; Tuff City/Funky Delicacies DEL LP-0018; 2001/1969-73 (compilation) |
| Various: Funky Funky New Orleans 2B; Tuff City/Funky Delicacies DEL LP-0019; 2001 (compilation) | |
| 8 | Various: The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues, Vol. 1 (1950-58); Rhino RNLP-70076; 1987 (compilation) |
| 8 | Various: The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues, Vol. 2 (1959-62); Rhino RNLP-70077; 1987 (compilation) |
| Various: The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues, Vol. 3 (1962-70); Rhino RNLP-70078; 1987 (compilation) | |
| Various: Home of the Blues; Brandy 70006 (compilation) | |
| 9 | Various: Jazzy Funky New Orleans; Tuff City/Funky Delicacies DEL LP-0022; 2001/1962-72 (compilation) |
| 8 | Various: Love You, New Orleans; Brandy 70008 (compilation) |
| 8 | Various: Mardi Gras in New Orleans; Mardi Gras MG-1001; 1976 (compilation) |
| 5 | Various: Mardi Gras in New Orleans Vol. 2; Mardi Gras MG-1005; 1989 (compilation) |
| 9 | Various: New Orleans Rhythm & Blues; Chess CH-9174; 1984 (compilation) |
| 7 | Various: Senator Jones' Funky Funky New Orleans; Funky Delicacies DEL LP-0012; 1999 (compilation, 1972-76) |
| Various: We Got a Party!--The Best of RON Records Vol. 1; Rounder 2076 (compilation) |
Partly New Orleans LPs
| Rating | |
| 8 | Lee Dorsey: Ride Your Pony--Get Out of My Life, Woman; Amy 8010-S (The New Lee Dorsey: Working in the Coal Mine--Holy Cow; Amy 8011-S |
| King Herbert & the Knights; Paragon; 1970 (Canada) | |
| Frank Motley & the Bridge Crossings; Paragon; 1970 (Canada) | |
| Frank Motley & the Hitch Hikers; Paragon; 1970 (Canada) | |
| 7 | Wilson Pickett: The Wicked Pickett; Atlantic SD-8238; 1966 |
| 7 | Various: Acme Funk--A Collection of Hard Instrumentals; Funk002 (Joe Bravo: "Cissy Strut") |
| 7 | Various: Rare Funk Vol. 5--Afro Funk; Cobalt COBLP-1008 (Professor Longhair, "Big Chief") |
| 8 | Various: Rare Funk Vol. 11--Creole Funk; Cobalt COBLP-11 (Wild Magnolias, "Ho Na Nae") |
| 8 | Various: Super Funk 2; BGP BGP2-137; 2001 (2-LP) |
New Orleans 45s
| 9 | Abraham: Hook & Boogie, Parts 1 & 2; Hy Sign 3511 (Abraham & the Casanovas; superior take on Eddie Bo's Hook & Sling) |
| 9 | African Music Machine: Black Water Gold (Pearl)/Making Nassau Fruit Drink; Soul Power SP-109; 1972 |
| 8 | African Music Machine: Tropical/A Girl in France; Soul Power III U-41303 |
| 7 | Black Blood & the Chocolate Pickles: That's Henry Parts 1 & 2; Black Blood NR-1578 (comedy party record w/piano & rhythm) |
| 6 | Eddie Bo: Fare Thee Well/Let's Let it Roll; Chess 1900 (R&B) |
| 7 | Eddie Bo: Ain't it the Truth Now/Warm Daddy; Ric 974 |
| 9 | Eddie Bo: Hook & Sling Parts 1 & 2; Scepter/Scram SCR-117; 1969 |
| 9 | Camille Bob: Brother Brown/2 Weeks, 2 Days, Too Long; Soul Unlimited 102; 1972 (Crowley, Louisiana) |
| 6 | Anthony Butler & the Invaders: The Chocking Kind/Katty's Theme; Big Deal 1001 |
| 8 | The Golden Eagles: Lightning & Thunder; Rounder 12073; 1988 (live) |
| 8 | Billy Graham & the Escalators: Oop-Poo-Pa-Doo/East 24th Ave.; Atlantic 45-2372 |
| 6 | Eldridge Holmes: Now That I've Lost You/Where is Love; Deesu 320 (prod. by Sehorn & Toussaint, arr. by Toussaint) |
| 8 | T.K. Hulin & Smoke: How Far to the End/Smoke It; Booray 10011975 |
| 8 | Bobby Marchan: Rockin' Pneumonia [& the Boogaloo Flu]/Someone to Take Your Place; Cameo C-489 |
| 7 | Toussaint McCall: Shimmy/Nothing Takes the Place of You; Ronn 3 |
| 8 | The Meters: Sophisticated Cissy/Sehorns Farm; Josie 45-1001 |
| 9 | The Meters: Cissy Strut/Here Comes the Meter Man; Josie 45-1005 |
| 8 | The Meters: Look-Ka Py Py/This is My Last Affair; Josie 45-1015 |
| 8 | The Meters: A Message from the Meters/Zony Mash; Jubilee/Josie 45-1024 |
| 8 | The Meters: Stretch Your Rubber Band/Groovy Lady; Jubilee/Josie 45-1026 |
| 7 | The Meters: Doodle-Oop (The World is a Bit Under the Weather)/I Need More Time; Josie 45-1029 (funky rock; also as Doodle-Oop same-sided promo, same number) |
| 8 | The Meters: Good Old Funky Music/Sassy Lady; Jubilee/Josie 45-1031 |
| 7 | Aaron Neville: She Took You for a Ride/Spaceman; Parlo 103 |
| 7 | Art Neville: Skeet Scat/You Won't Do Right; Instant 3256 |
| 7 | The Originals: Supernatural Voodoo Woman Part 1/mono; Motown/SOUL S-35112F; 1974 (from the AIP film "Sugar Hill") |
| 7 | Robert Parker: Barefootin'/Jesse Gresham Plus 3: Shootin' the Grease; Jewel/Head H-1050 |
| 8 | The Prime Mates: Hot Tamales Parts 1 & 2; Sansu 465 (psyche-funk; prod. Toussaint & Sehorn) |
| 6 | James Rivers: The Center Cut/I Hear Ya; JB's Records 7042 (prod. Senator Jones) |
| 7 | Sampy & the Bad Habits: Stick with Me/Lagniappe; Callier CR-101; 1975 (creole soul/zydeco w/accordion) |
| 7 | Count Sidney & his Dukes: Put it On/Trust; Goldband G-1178 |
| 8 | Count Sidney & his Dukes: Do Your Stuff/Country People; Goldband G-1194 |
| 8 | Count Rockin' Sidney: Bury the Hatchet/? |
| 8 | Count Rockin' Sidney: Boogie's Boogie Shack/No Good Woman; Bold 1003 |
| 6 | Huey Smith & the Clowns: Pop-Eye/Scald-Dog; Ace 649 |
| 8 | The Stokes: Young Man Old Man/One Mint Julep; Alon (arr. Alan Toussaint; mod) |
| 8 | Joe Valentine: A Woman's Love/Hands On, Hands Off; Jewel/Ronn 30 (Shreveport, Louisiana) |
| 8 | The Wild Magnolias: Smoke My Peace Pipe (Smoke it Right)/Iko Iko; Barclay; 1974 (A-side abridged version of LP cut; Polydor PD-14242; w/Golden Eagles Chief Monk Boudreaux) |
| 8 | Willard Posey Reunion: Medley: Cissy Strut-American Woman/mono; Fam 91004; 1972 |
| 8 | Uncredited: Cissy Strut/Friendship Train; Dance/Hoctor H-2780 |
Hyp Records is a 3-part guide:
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