Nothing beats the gift of music, particularly created by our own
22nd December 2014 · 0 Comments
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
Music is a powerful and often spiritual force. It can bring back a flood of memories or help create new ones for the future. That’s just one reason why the gift of music whether offered during the holidays or anytime is so special. It links the recipient with giver so that each time they hear an album or song, they’ll think of you.
In a more practical vein, buying or downloading CDs by local musicians helps keep New Orleans music alive on a day-to-day basis. Besides reaping part of the purchase price, artists gain greater attention with the release of a successful new product – club owners are more apt to hire them and media gives them more ink. Most musicians don’t get paid much per job, so are dependent on playing here one night and maybe across town the next. Their wages, like too many employees in New Orleans and elsewhere, haven’t kept up with the cost of living. Supporting our talented artists – and local record labels — keeps food on the plate and money in the pocket while listeners enjoy great music.
So here’s a wrap-up of some of the best of 2014’s releases by or including New Orleans musicians. Some have been written more extensively about in this column, others not. All are top notch and vary widely in style.
We’ll start with the brassy side. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Rebirth Brass Band – Move Your Body (Basin Street Records). Sophisticated and funky, this CD is the follow up to Rebirth’s Grammy-winning 2011 CD, Rebirth of New Orleans. It’s absolutely as good as, and some might say even better than, its predecessor. Producer Tracey Freeman, who might be best known for his work with pianist/vocalist Harry Connick Jr., did an ace job producing this gem that includes horn work reminiscent of a small, tightly knit orchestra. Move Your Body keeps the Rebirth party goin’ with music that drives hard by musicians who know their stuff.
Various Artists – Ultimate New Orleans Brass Second Line Funk! (Mardi Gras Records). Compilation discs often get a bad rap. They are viewed by some as a cop out by record labels trying to make a buck from pre-released material. Who can blame ‘em? Yet, the Ultimate lives up to its name. With hits by the Rebirth, New Birth, Soul Rebels, Lil Rascals brass bands and more, it’s a great choice for new enthusiasts of the style who don’t already have cuts like the second line anthem, “Who Dat Called the Police?” or remember Kermit Ruffins singing “Do Whatcha Wanna” with the Rebirth. A party-down album to be sure.
Glen David Andrews – Redemption (Red Hot Louisiana Records). On this album, trombonist Andrews rocks out, goes back to his gospel roots, impresses as a soul singer and funks it up with vocalist/organist Ivan Neville. The surprise here is that there are no second-line beats from Andrews, who grew up, honed his chops and made his first mark out in the streets. He also wrote the Lil Rascals’ now-classic “Knock with Me – Rock with Me.” Andrews’ musical detours suit his talents and pairs well with multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jamison Ross who is all over this disc.
Here are some strong suggestions for the jazz fans on your holiday list.
The Cookers – Time and Time Again (Montema Music). Alto saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. is the newest member of this incredible assemblage of musicians that has been together for seven years. The album was picked as one of the prestigious JazzTimes magazine’s Top Ten albums of 2014 – the mag got it right on with that. The musicians in the band, all leaders in their own right, represent post-bop era giants including bassist Cecil McBee, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, drum master Billy Hart, pianist George Cables and tenor saxophonist Billy Harper. Trumpeter David Weiss, the founder of The Cookers wisely put together this knockout band. ‘Nuff said.
Delfeayo Marsalis – The Last Southern Gentlemen (Troubadour Jass Records). Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis recently said that musically, he and his father, pianist Ellis Marsalis, were the most romantic of the family. That’s apparent on many of the selections like “The Secret Love Affair” and “She’s Funny That Way” on this fine album. Naturally, with these two onboard along with drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith and bassist John Clayton it swings too. This music is timeless.
Jason Marsalis – The 21st Century Trad Band (Basin Street Records) Jason Marsalis, who initially gained prominence as a drummer, is at the top of his game as a vibraphonist and composer on this strong album. Like last year’s In a World of Mallets, it is strikingly upbeat and totally comprehensive. Marsalis’ rhythmically quirky “The Man with Two Left Feet” is the hit of the disc – the music makes it easy to imagine a guy stumbling around.
Stanton Moore – Conversations (The Royal Potato Family) The hard-funkin’ drummer from Galactic shows his jazz side with two of the genres very best, pianist David Torkanowsky and bassist James Singleton. On this fine album, these three stay close to home in their song selection offering original material as well as that of New Orleans composers like the great drummer James Black, pianists Ellis Marsalis and Michael Pellera and guitarist Steve Masakowski.
In the blues and beyond division comes this gem.
Ironing Board Sam and The Sticks (Music Maker). Though he’s a native of South Carolina, the imaginative pianist/vocalist/composer Ironing Board Sam, 75, lived and performed in New Orleans for decades. (Remember the stunt at Jazz Fest when he played from inside a 1,500-gallon water tank?) Quirky for sure, Sam’s creative touch and elegant piano takes the too often performed “Summertime” to another level. He’s a bluesman who travels back to Africa for an almost prayer-like though funky, self-penned “The Creature.” Ironing Board Sam demonstrates that he can be as sincere and thoughtful as he can be funny.
This article originally published in the December 22, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
