A New Orleans Visit: Before Katrina

by Michael Doucet

Overview

Recorded just a few months before Hurricane Katrina changed the musical scene in New Orleans both figuratively and literally, the music on this semi-historic album (and accompanying film) is a throwback to a time far before the hurricane's actions. Mainstays of the old New Orleans sounds in their various forms are present -- Michael and David Doucet represent Cajun music, Sammy Rimington represents the old clarinet-in-the-street sound, Henry Gray plays some stomping piano blues, Sunpie Barnes represents the zydeco contingent, and the Treme Brass Band carry up the rear with large-scale parade music. All of the musicians present are masters of their craft, and are well known in the realm of the local New Orleans sound. However, it's fairly traditional music here, looking backward. There's energy, but it's buried in nostalgia in many cases. Where the album really breaks away from the trappings of nostalgia, though, is in the swamp music -- the Doucets always play some mean Cajun, and in combination with Sunpie Barnes' zydeco the energy gets ramped way, way up. For a newcomer to the New Orleans sound, this album will make a fair introductory textbook opening. However, some revivalism (a la Kermit Ruffins), more modern jazz (the Marsalis tribe), or soul and R&B forces (even the Nevilles) would have filled out the display of forms nicely. A touch more of the blues would have been welcome, too. ~ Adam Greenberg

Product Details

Release Date:	01/22/2008
Label:	Arhoolie
UPC:	0096297053423
Rank:	188167

Tracks

1. J'Ai Pass¿¿ Devant Ta Porte  - David Doucet  -  Doucet  -  Michael & David Doucet
2. La Jog a Plombeau  - David Doucet  -  Doucet  - Canray Fontenot  -  Michael & David Doucet
3. Hey! La Bas  - David Doucet  -  Doucet  -  Miss Lollypop  -  Miss Lollypop
4. Malinda  - David Doucet  - Michael Doucet  -  Doucet  - Canray Fontenot  -  Michael & David Doucet
5. Bosco Stomp  - David Doucet  -  Doucet  -  Michael & David Doucet
6. Tasso  - David Doucet  - Michael Doucet  -  Doucet  - Dennis McGee  -  Michael & David Doucet
7. Creole Blues  - Michael Doucet  - Sammy Rimington
8. I'm Alone Because I Love You  - Lionel Batiste  - Michael Doucet  - Sammy Rimington  - Ira Schuster
9. The Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest  - Henry Gray
10. Henry's Bounce  - Henry Gray
11. The Little Red Rooster  - Willie Dixon  - Henry Gray
12. Cold Chills  - Henry Gray
13. Zydeco et La Encore  - Bruce Sunpie Barnes  - Michael Doucet  -  Bruce "Sunple" Barn
14. Joe Pitre Got Two Women  - Bruce Sunpie Barnes  - John Delafose  - Michael Doucet  - Canray Fontenot  -  Bruce "Sunple" Barn
15. Baby Please Don't Go  - Bruce Sunpie Barnes  - Michael Doucet  - Joe Lee Williams  -  Bruce "Sunple" Barn
16. Just a Closer Walk with Thee  -  Treme Brass Band
17. I'll Fly Away  -  Treme Brass Band
18. Sing On  -  Treme Brass Band

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Michael Doucet   Primary Artist,Violin
Bruce "Sunple" Barnes   Primary Artist
Michael & David Doucet   Primary Artist
Miss Lollypop   Primary Artist,Primary Artist,Vocals
Henry Gray   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals
Lionel Batiste   Primary Artist,Vocals,Drums (Bass)
Michael Doucet & Cajun Brew   Primary Artist
Bruce Sunpie Barnes   Primary Artist
Treme Brass Band   Primary Artist
Sammy Rimington   Primary Artist,Clarinet
Sunpie Barnes   Primary Artist
David Doucet   Primary Artist,Guitar
Elliott "Stackman" Callier   Sax (Tenor)
Jeffrey Hill   Tuba
Cedric G. Shepperd   Sax (Tenor)
Kermit Ruffins   Trumpet
Corey Henry   Trombone
Lars Edegran   Guitar (Steel)
Benny Jones   Drums (Snare)

Technical Credits

Chris Strachwitz   Editing,Photography,Producer
Henry Gray   Composer
Michael Doucet   Arranger,Composer
Canray Fontenot   Composer
Willie Dixon   Composer
Wayne Pope   Design
Ira Schuster   Composer
David Silberberg   Engineer
Anita B. Bowers   Arranger
Benny Jones   Leader
Joe Lee Williams   Composer
Dennis McGee   Composer
John Delafose   Composer
Sammy Rimington   Arranger