What’s New in New Orleans
February 1st, 2012
Title: Adventures in New Orleans Jazz, Part 1
Artist: Dr. Michael White
Label: Basin Street Records
Formats: CD, MP3
Release Date: June 21, 2011
Acclaimed Dixieland jazz clarinetist Dr. Michael White is back once again, bringing together a host of influences for his new album Adventures in New Orleans Jazz, Part 1. The majority of these songs are covers, with a good amount not being New Orleans jazz standards but rather drawing upon a whole spectrum of genres. The most peculiar, and perhaps most entertaining, is White’s rendition of “One Love” by Bob Marley. What’s even more odd is how good it sounds mixed with Dixieland instruments. In addition to this reggae-New Orleans jazz montage, White adopts African influences and instruments on some medley’s of his own creation, while others employ traditional African and Haitian folk songs as well as African American spirituals. But like “One Love,” each of these tracks are mixed with the characteristic New Orleans flavor. Finally, although we never really left, Dr. Michael White brings us all back to New Orleans with Paul Simon’s “Take Me to the Mardi Gras.”
=============================
Title: A Love Letter to New Orleans
Artist: Irvin Mayfield
Label: Basin Street Records
Formats: CD, MP3, or Book+CD
Release Date: April 26, 2011
A Love Letter to New Orleans is just that—Irvin Mayfield’s expression of his love of the city through his music—in a compilation drawn from previous albums. Mayfield tackles several genres in Love Letter, which begins with “Mo’ Better Blues.” The jazz heritage of New Orleans is apparent in “Romeo and Juliet” as well as “Fatimah,” while the Latin quarter is represented by “Latin Tinge II” and “El Negro.” The traditional, religious side of the city is given its due on “I’ll Fly Away.” Going way back, Mayfield additionally pays tribute to the Mardi Gras Indian Tribes on “Old Time Indians Meeting of the Chiefs,” which features Big Chief Bo Dollis Sr. (of Wild Magnolias fame).
Love Letter brings together many like-minded New Orleans musicians, from Los Hombres Calientes (Mayfield’s band) to Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews to Wynton Marsalis and Kermit Ruffins, who has been prominently featured on HBO’s Treme. But along with the love that Mayfield has for New Orleans there is an acknowledgement of the darker, racist-fueled past on “Lynch Mob.” With the Dillard University Choir’s repetition of the phrase “String ‘em up,” the “Lynch Mob” interlude is an eerie, disturbing look into what the South once was. Rather than ending on this note, Mayfield offers a positive look into the future as Love Letter ends with the optimistic “Mardi Gras Second Line” featuring NOLA favorites Los Hombres Calientes, Trombone Shorty, Ruffins, the Rebirth Brass Band and John Boutté. In addition to this fantastic stand-alone album, Irvin Mayfield also offers a special hardcover book/CD package which includes a “richly illustrated collection of essays and photographs [that] give life and meaning to each song on the accompanying CD.”
======================================
Title: For True
Artist: Trombone Shorty
Label: Verve Forecast
Formats: CD, MP3
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Rounding out this overview of New Orleans-based musicians is trombonist Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews’ new release For True. Although it would be simple enough to state how much more contemporary For True sounds as compared to the previous two albums, the guest list says it all: Jeff Beck, Warren Hayes, Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz and Ledisi. Emphasizing rock and funk, For True is the kind of album that makes you dance—whether you were expecting to or not—starting with the first song “Buckjump.” Bringing together swinging horns and heavy bass, “Buckjump” definitely brings in the funk. The title track “For True” feels like a combo of Latin and surf rock, with trumpet at the forefront while the guitar pulls off a few surf-inspired runs with plenty of treble and tremolo-picking. However, don’t think for a second that Trombone Shorty has forgotten his New Orleans roots. “Lagniappe Part 1” is a mix between funk, with a grooving bass sax, and a Dixieland march. Continuing the funk rock sound through the rest of the album on songs like “Dumaine St.” and “Roses,” Shorty closes out For True in the same manner as his previous albums, with an ode to New Orleans. This final track, the second part of “Lagniappe,” kicks off with a marching snare and brings together a host of horns before finally fading out.
Reviewed by Ian Hallagan
Review Genre(s): Jazz,Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Funk
Trackback this post