1. Burgundy Street Blues - Dr. Michael White
Crescent City clarinetist Dr. Michael White celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the legendary New Orleans clarinetist George Lewis by performing Lewis' signature piece, the elegant "Burgundy Street Blues," which drips with Spanish moss and humid nights with its melancholy melody.
2. Accentuate The Positive - Paul Sanchez & John Boutte
Singers John Boutte and Paul Sanchez got together and knocked out a record in a single session. What you hear is well-played, well-sung yet laid back session of singer-songwritery, blues jazz. Boutte shows how inventive an interpreter he is on a cover of the Johnny Mercer/Harold Arlen classic “Accentuate the Positive,”
3. Exit To Mystery Street - Paul Sanchez
Singer-songwriter Sanchez' offers up more than most on this solo record made with friends, including the wonderful Matt Perrine tuba track lines on this title track from the album of the same name.
4. On Your Way Down - Trombone Shorty
Allen Toussaint appears on one cut from Trombone Shorty's debut album 'Backatown.' While he doesn’t lend vocal support, he does play piano on a cover of his classic “On Your Way Down,” a tune that was most recently covered by Toussaint and Elvis Costello. This Trombone Shorty version dances circles around all the other; it’s a loose, funky groove, Toussaint’s piano lines and what sounds like a flute flirting with a dynamite, in-the-pocket rhythm that makes past incarnations of the song sound leaden by comparison. It’s a fairly radical reinvention of a beloved tune, but Toussaint’s presence here seems to signify his approval.
5. Josephine (live) - David Torkanowsky & George Porter Jr. & Herman Ernst
From a radio tribute to the late legend Snooks Eaglin, this is a live version of Snook's "Josephine" with Meters bassist George Porter Jr with Herman Ernst on drums and David Torkanowsky on piano. Too funky
6. Mr. Big Stuff - Kermit Ruffins w/Rebirth Brass Band
Trumpeter Kermit Ruffins came blasting out of high school with the Rebirth Brass Band, The ensemble stormed for 10 years before disbanding in 1992. Here reconvened, they've lost none of their flair and verve. The Rebirth Brass Band are in fine form, particularly the mighty tuba playing of Philip Frazier, with this cover of Jean Knight's hit - celebratory, soulful and perfect party music yet tied to the brass band tradition.
7. Backwater Blues - Irma Thomas
Thomas is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but never experienced their level of commercial success. Here, she covers the Bessie Smith tune and it's relevant theme for "Our New Orleans: A Benefit Album for the Gulf Coast" which presents songs recorded in September and October 2005, shortly after Katrina
8. I'll Be Seeing You - James Booker
A mentor of Harry Connick Jr, Booker was highly skilled in classical music and played Bach and Chopin, among other composers. He also mastered and memorized solos by Erroll Garner, and Liberace. His thorough background in piano literature may have enabled his original and virtuosic interpretations of jazz and other American popular music. These performances combined elements of stride, blues, gospel and Latin piano styles. Here, alone on the piano.
9. Unnecessarily Mercenary -Jon Cleary
Kent UK born and New Orleans based, Cleary is a triple threat—with a salty-sweet voice, masterful piano skills, and a knack for infectious grooves. Later covered by Bonnie Raitt, here Cleary tickles the ivories with a solid boogie foundation with his own take on gold diggers. I love me some Jon Cleary
10. Someone to Love - Eden Brent
Singer and pianist Eden Brent from Greenville, Mississippi recorded this record in New Orleans. She brings her own boogie-woogie style now infused with the City's jazz and soul and, all dipped in Mississippi Delta Blues. Eden's voice gives her gritty music a much raspier and earthy sound.
11. Door Poppin' - John Boutte
Born into a large and musical Creole family, Mr. Boutté has roots in gospel and traditional jazz. While he can tap out syncopated beats on a tambourine, it is the sweetness and grit of his tenor voice that may remind of Sam Cooke but fits no convention. This is a funky track written with Paul Sanchez. "Please get out of the door, fool"
12. Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley - Lee Dorsey
I hate to admit it, but I heard first this song as covered by the late Robert Palmer in 1974, backed by members of the Meters. Later I found out that Toussaint wrote it and Lee Dorsey performed it first. Dorsey was a versatile performer, capable of rocking R&B, soul, and sang many of Toussaint's songs. The Meters play backing here on the original, with some popping guitar and a stop-time beat that keeps things chugging along in a funky way.
13. Yes We Can, Can - The Pointer Sisters
This Allen Toussaint-penned gem comes from the Pointer's debut album from 1973. A socially conscious theme that features intricate background vocals by three of the sisters while Anita Pointer handled lead. That bassline is so funky you will get that 'I-smell-somethin' face as you start moving your head side to side.
14. Tootie Ma Is a Big Fine Thing - Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Tom Waits
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, founded in 1861. Waits traveled to New Orleans to record songs with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band for 'PRESERVATION: An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall.' Originally recorded by Danny Barker in 1947, “Tootie Ma Was A Big Fine Thing” is one of the earliest known recorded examples of Mardi Gras Indian chants.
