Essential Louisiana Music

ESSENTIAL RECORDINGS BY LOUISIANA ARTISTS

Lee Allen/Walkin' with Mr. Lee Allen played saxophone on many of the greates R&B hits to come out of the Crescent City, including recordings by Fats Domino, Little Richard, and Huey "Piano" Smith. This CD collects a variety of singles done under his own name, none of which scored more than regional hits when released. Still, Allen is a major part of R&B, Rock & Roll, and Louisiana history.

Amede Ardoin/The Roots of Zydeco The name most mentioned by respected Cajun musicians when asked for the most influential of all south Louisiana French musicians is Amede Ardoin. Ardoin, who died more than 40 years ago, was a black, Creole, French-speaking accordion player who single-handedly created the modern Cajun style. Without him we would not have the dozen or so songs Iry Lejeune interpreted and recorded in the 1950s that helped to bring about a resurgence of Cajun French pride.

Balfa Brothers/J'ai Vu le Loup, Le Renard et la Belette The Balfa Brothers were the real deal way back before Paul Prudhomme made Cajun chic. On this 1975 set, the double violins of brothers Will and Dewey dominate this excellent collection of traditional tunes, with Tony and Rodney adding the guitars and triangle, and a minimal amount of accordion from Dewey appearing here and there. You get your two-steps, you get your waltzes, you get some superb romantic ballads where Dewey really gets to strut his vocal stuff.

Boozoo Chavis/Johnnie Billy Goat Boozoo Chavis is one of the originators of zydeco, that spicy blend of blues, Cajun, and Creole music. He made his first records in the 1950s, but after failing to make a living playing music, he quit to become a successful horse trainer. He was coaxed back into the music business in the mid-'80s and became one of the most popular zydeco artists in Louisiana. Johnnie Billy Goat, a 22-song collection taken from the three albums Chavis recorded for Rounder Records in the early '90s, is an excellent introduction to his earthy but compelling brand of accordion music. Other great Chavis recordings include Down Home on Dog Hill and Who Stole My Monkey

Henry Butler/The Game Has Just Begun Henry Butler started singing at age seven in the boys' glee club at Louisiana School for the Blind. Continuing his studies in classical piano and voice, Butler attended Southern University in Baton Rouge and completed his master's degree at Michigan State University. He's performed and studied with musicians such as Roland Hanna, George Duke, and Cannonball Adderley. In 1996 he returned to New Orleans and has been a performing prescence there since. On this, his first recording for hometown label Basin Street Records, Butler tackles blues, R&B, rock, and virtually every other style you can imagine with equal confidence and mastery.

Clifton Chenier/King of the Bayous Chenier's early '60s albums for the Arhoolie and Specialty labels made Zydeco the major musical form it is today. His aggressive, almost metallic accordion style and his passionate, rough-hewn singing, piled high with New Orleans R&B and Cajun sounds, make his a unique legacy that carries on in to the 1990s. This 18-track album recorded from 1965 through 1970 includes the full Arhoolie album, plus a few tracks that never made it onto vinyl at the time. Other classic Chenier albums include Bogalusa Boogie and Zydeco Sont Pas Sale

Dr. John/Dr. John's Gumbo Once the psychedelic voodoo market had slackened, the Doctor found his way to this more traditional mix of New Orleans-style classics, and the mix is indeed a tasty one. You'll enjoy the Doctor's renditions of "Iko Iko", "Big Chief" and "Tipitina" almost as much as a steaming bowl of gumbo. Almost. There's waaaay too much of the good Doctor available to name just a few CDs worth getting...take a look at our Top Dr. John Albums list for more recommendations.

Guitar Slim/Sufferin' Mind This collection contains Slim's finest work for the Specialty label and was put together with loving care by compiler Billy Vera. Slim's immortal "The Things That I Used to Do" is here along with impassioned and unforgettable cuts like "Sufferin' Mind" and "Reap What You Sow." Hidden treasures are plentiful with excellent alternate takes, sound checks of Slim calling the shots in the studio, and the classic New Orleans sound of saxophonists Joseph Henry Tillman and Gus Fontenette.

King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band/ The Complete Set In the prewar years in New Orleans and the early years of Chicago jazz, Joe "King" Oliver reigned supreme, his stirring lead cornet and varied mute work inevitably at the head of the finest group of musicians available. His Creole Jazz Band of 1923--with a young Louis Armstrong on second cornet, Lil Hardin Armstrong on piano, Johnny Dodds on clarinet, and Baby Dodds on drums--produced the first great jazz records. Thanks to modern technology, you can now hear these sides sounding as good as they ever will.

Sidney Bechet/The Sidney Bechet Story [Proper] 4-CD set for a bargain price that contains all the Bechet you'll need to fully appreciate this New Orleans original. Four CD box-set for one of the greatest improvisers in the history of jazz, an ifluence to many musicians from Johnny Hodges to John Coltrane. 93 tracks spanning over 27 years, the first being recorded in 1923. The booklet tells the story of this remarkable musician and includes rare photos and a discography. Four standard jewel cases housed in a box. 2001 release.

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