Eddie Bo sure ain't pretty, but he is another sometimes overlooked New Orleans music master. In the early 50's and 60's he was a revered piano player and R and B singer. By the mid sixties he expanded his role to label ownership, producing, and best of all, musically, he plunged headlong into the super-heavy funk.
His raw funk sound was driven by drummer James Black and Eddie's percussive piano. Mr. Black doesn't get a whole lot of credit, but he is right up there with Ziggy Modeliste and Clyde Stubblefield in the Funky Drummer category.
Eddie's only national hit was Hook and Sling, but there's piles and piles of Eddie Bo records that are not to be missed, including his production work with Mary Jane Hooper, Chuck Carbo, The Vibrettes, The Explosions, and more.
Outside of NOLA (May 22 1997, was Eddie Bo day there),Nolaphiles, crate diggers, and the folks of Karachi,Pakistan (evidently he's huge there), Eddie Bo (originally Bocage), should be getting some more love. 50 years in game, NOLA cred, Traditional Piano Chops on a Longhairian level,and crates full of funkiness, oughta make it so. Check him out, he's still kickin'. Happy Friday.
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My Trusted MOGs
Hey no fair. I can't seem to listen to these tracks. I'm coming back to this post. I've got a song where some woman is talking about the new craze called "the Hook and Sling" but I can't find it. It's not called that in my iTunes apparently. BRB!
My Trusted MOGs
Nice post about Eddie Bo.....One of the funkiest live shows I ever saw took place at the Rock n'Bowl in NOLA 3 or 4 years ago during JazzFest week. One stage were Eddie Bo, George Porter and some others I can't remember. The Hook and Sling was over the top funk.......
Eddie is a legend.......check him out!
My Trusted MOGs
Like FS, I can't get these tracks to play - they're on some sorta eternal buffering loop. Sobbing here. Love me some Eddie Bo.
My Trusted MOGs
lovely!
My Trusted MOGs
Ok, I am attempting to fix this post. Here come the The Vibrettes
My Trusted MOGs
Here's Eddie with Inez Cheatam
My Trusted MOGs
I apologize for the glitches..Check out another Eddie Bo production from Roger and the Gypsies
My Trusted MOGs
These are propulsive tracks. They make even me want to dance. Maybe I was at the same New Orleans show that Brian mentioned. Eddie Bo puts on a good show.
My Trusted MOGs
Eddie is so fantastic. Luckily he forwent his potential careers in hairdressing and dentistry to go into music. ;-) Just teasing. I love the Vibette's Humpty Dump "Clap your hands and pat your rump."
My Trusted MOGs
Thank you for putting Eddie Bo back on my mind. I first heard him on the radio in New Orleans in the early 90's when I was there for Jazz Fest. And oh, that smile.
My Trusted MOGs
Yo, Jeff..I've been away from MOG for awhile, thanks for droppin' back
My Trusted MOGs
Hey, always good to hear this, but do check out Hook and Sling, Part 2 for a more incenidary James Black drum performance. You'll really be impressed by the difference!