-The Producers Pt.2

Posted over 2 years ago

Allen Toussaint, and rightly so, gets a whole lot of respect, when it comes to talking about New Orleans R and B, but the fella I'm gonna rave about here has a resume that may rival Mr.Toussaint. Wiki can give you some details and will also let you know he lost most everything in Katrina. Wardell Quezergue (great name)is an unsung hero of R and B music, bringing (like Toussaint) a real touch of class to sometimes mundane material and bringing elements of the New orleans sound out to the world at large. His biggies like Mr.Big Stuff,Iko Iko,Groove Me, and Tell it Like It Is, are huge songs, but all his records are worth a listen. I mean I bought this Jean Knight record for Mr.Big Stuff, but, Think It Over, blew me away. I don't know how you feel about string sections (I prolly lost some listeners there), but this has got to be one of the most powerful string arrangements ever in a soul song. Flip some LP's over, check the labels, and pull back the curtain on one of the best producers to ever twist a knob, Wardell Quezergue.

Comments (14)

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The Time Machine says

Here here! Raise a glass and toast to Wardell Quezergue!

: = )

Permalink posted 04/25/2007
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Cody B says The finest virtual champagne for all my friends!

Permalink posted 04/25/2007
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Nixne Svix says Prost!

Permalink posted 04/25/2007
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The Time Machine says

Oops...sorry I spilt the beverage onto the table. It's that infectious groove. I couldn't control myself. I'm a slave to the beat...

Anyone have a napkin? I'll clean it up honest. Turn that stereo up...

: = )

Permalink posted 04/25/2007
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Cody B says Wait til the party is over, some more will probably spill. What do you say we switch over to scotch, and I have this fine cigar over here as well.

Permalink posted 04/25/2007
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ivylander says Wow, the best part is at about three minutes, when he segues so effortlessly from the full arrangement into just the piano, bass, drums and backup singers. Such as mastery of dynamics. Wow. So sophisticated.

Permalink posted 04/26/2007
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mktackabery says ok, the video is cheesy but the guy did a great job with the Dixie Cups track "Iko Iko," one of my all-time favorites. Great to learn about the producer. This is one of those songs that just grab you and don't let go.

Permalink posted 04/26/2007
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mktackabery says and another classic:

Permalink posted 04/26/2007
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Cody B says Michelle-In a world with fast cuts and subliminal messages the videos are a nice change o' pace! I love the flower video, your vacation films? BTW-The dreaded Grateful Dead do a version of Iko,Iko.. Lemme see what I can pull for a vid Mr.Big Stuff

Permalink posted 04/26/2007
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Cody B says
- PLAY
- QUEUE
A weeper Wardell produced and arranged (he's on piano for many of these tracks too) for King Floyd . Kelly Hogan has a nice cover of this out there,too.
Permalink posted 04/26/2007
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ivylander says Who knew there was more to King Floyd than "Groove Me"? Man, this is something. I also figured out the other reason I'm predisposed to Wardell - he's the spitting image of my wonderful (and, unfortunately, late) father-in-law.

Permalink posted 04/28/2007
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Cody B says Glad and sad to hear that,Ivy

Permalink posted 04/29/2007
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pjebsen says
Great post! Am listening to the Wild Tchoupitoulas right now, and am about to download the Wardell Quezerque compilation "Don't Be No Square, Get Hip To Quezerque" at emusic.

Permalink posted 08/12/2008
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pjebsen says
Great post! Am listening to the Wild Tchoupitoulas right now, and am about to download the Wardell Quezerque compilation "Don't Be No Square, Get Hip To Quezerque" at emusic.

Permalink posted 08/12/2008