ROOTS DE ROOTZ
My interest in the music of New Orleans started with the revivalist jazz of musicians like George Lewis, Bunk Johnson, Jim Robinson---soon to expand to include Kid Thomas Valentine , Emile Barnes, Capt'n John Handy, and many others making wonderful music now known as New Orleans Traditional Jazz. These interests led me to the music of Louisiana and the Deep South Folkways recording collections of Moses Asch, eventually acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in 1987---every recording is kept in print and one of the most accessible is "Music of New Orleans, Volume One. Music of the streets: music of the Mardi Gras", but beware, these field recordings are perhaps an acquired taste!
If you are new to the music of New Orleans, there is no better place to start than www.louisianamusicfactory.com----Jazz, Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, everything!!! And its all for sale and you can listen to at least a couple of tracks of most. Given the current exchange rate, it’s all very cheap! I do buy direct from them--no problems. Recently Smokey Johnson's "It ain't my fault" and the post hurricane compilation "Sing me back Home"(Good tracks by the subdudes and by Troy Andrews--but some duff stuff!) If you like to read about the funky stuff that I enjoy try www.homeofthegroveblogspot.com. Most other stuff I get from Amazon
Some musicians have influenced the ROOT DOCTOR sound more than others:-
LOUIS PRIMA
The nearest to traditional jazz we get these days! His best stuff is in the cabaret format of his later recordings. Wonderful vocals by this New Orleans/Italiano vocalist and trumpet, with lots of help from the tenor sax of Sam Butera and often the "straight gal" role of Keely Smith. This stuff has been around some time, so often the same tracks come up on different CDs. Try "The Wildest" (Capitol version!!!) or "Jump Jive and Wail---the essential Louis Prima"
HARLEM HAMFATS
Not from Harlem and not hamfats (Afro-American slang for a mediocre person)! But a great band recorded in the 1930's.Horn players from New Orleans and Blues guitars from Chicago---I would claim that they were a proto-R'n'B and rock band. We still use their "Black Gal"(but I doubt they would recognize it!) and other stuff. It is all so old you should find it for free--but try "Let's get drunk and truck" or "Hot Chicago jazz, blues and jive 1936-37"
DR.JOHN
The King of New Orleans funk!! An absolute mass of CDs are available. I prefer the small group jams, especially when he has a sax player---but nothing can beat "In the right place" ATCO SD 7018 recorded with the Meters and Allen Toussaint. I'm always trying to get keyboard players to do the New Orleans funky shuffle of Professor Longhair, James Booker and of course, Dr John. Every now and again with some success!
CLIFTON CHENIER
Another prolific recorder. This is black Cajun, Zydeco, music at its best. My favorite remains the first I heard (Ain't it often so!!) "Bogalusa Boogie" with the excellent John Hart on tenor sax. Gave us the confidence to try non-conventional line-ups and formats. And "On the wander"
SNOOKS EAGLIN
Blues/R'n'b cross, much of it other peoples stuff---but that's OK by me!. I just love his guitar and voice. Try "That's all right----Blind Snooks Eaglin --Blues from New Orleans" A prolific recorder who, sadly, died in February this year. His obituary in the Times for 23 February 2009 gives a good account of his life. You will recognize many of the songs used in the early days of the Root Doctors
ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Singer/pianist--but above all song writer and hit producer for a succession of New Orleans artists. But I particularly enjoy him singing and playing his own stuff. His visit to GB last year gave us the chance to hear him live at the Colston Hall, Bristol. Wonderful! And not as appreciated as he should be. There are three classic albums that you might find on CD. "Toussaint" "Love, life and faith" and "Southern nights". This is the best music in the world! There are CD collections that have most of the tracks, but mixed with some recent and not too impressive stuff.
WARREN ZEVON
If I could, I would write songs like Allen Toussaint---but he belongs to a different world. Warren Zevon gives me more accessible inspiration Again a prolific artist and again I like an early album best--but its all good stuff, if nothing to do with New Orleans. Try "Warren Zevon" or "Excitable Boy"
PEARL BAILEY
The "risqué" songs on the CD "Pearl Bailey for adults only / More songs for adults" gave the confidence to try some of our "double-entendre" Root Doctor originals, but her songs were written by greats like Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Mercer/Allen and do have wonderful words---"Triplets are charming, but it's really alarming what three Manhattan cocktails can do" Maybe salacious but not rude “I want to get married. I want to be Mrs......what was that boys name?" "I've got what it takes, but nobody wants .....to take it" As ever Pearly Mae's timing is perfect. Ah well!
This list could go on and on and on----- Irma Thomas, The Dirty Dozen, the Neville Brothers, Lee Dorsey, Earl King, Zachary Richard. All from New Orleans. Toots and the Maytalls Nellie Lutcher, the Mills Brothers, Spike Jones, Tom Lehrer-----apologies to those not included, but it is impossible to mention all those who have given so much pleasure over the years and whose music has inspired.
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