New Orleans is the well that America draws its music legacy from. The depth of NOLA's contribution to American music is more than just historical. The city has music coursing through it today, and if you are from there or have visited, you know this.
Mardi Gras, of course, is an important part of NOLA culture. Mardi Gras is all about parades, many parades. One of the long time participants in these colorful affairs are the Mardi Gras "indian" tribes.
I'm not gonna go into the cultural and historical signifcance of the tribes, but if you would like to, I suggest picking up this Wild Magnolia's package that has just been re-issued. It is about the funkiest history lesson you'll ever get.
In person, at the parades, you'll see these incredibly costumed social clubs marching, banging on numerous percussion intruments, and chanting generations old Mardi Gras tunes.
In the 70's a French producer who absolutely fell in love with these songs decided he wanted to get the music out to the world. He felt that in order to gain acceptance, he'd have to pair the chants with modern musical stylings. To my (and I'm guessing many funk/NOLA fans) great joy the fusion here is with funk. Not just any old funk either..Willie T (Leader of the Meters-esque instrumental outfit, The Gaturs) Funk.
The 2 albums Phillipe Rault and Willie T. cut with The Wild Magnolias and Chief Bo Bollis have just been re-issued in absolutely deluxe fashion by my new best friends at Sunnyside Records. Not only are these ultra funky albums sounding better than ever, the second CD also features a downloadable 62 page book! If you are into New Orleans and/Or Mardi Gras in any way the book alone is worth the price of admission. Essential Stuff. (check out other NOLA Essentials here )
For Music I'm givin' ya the oft-sampled Soul,Soul,Soul and please see Handa Wanda in Comments..enjoy
My Trusted MOGs
My Trusted MOGs
Brought me back to the days of hitching across country wit some friends after collage graduation... passed into the Marti Gras at it's peak... THANKS!
My Trusted MOGs
I may be a day late on this one, but another classic post cody
My Trusted MOGs
That was wonderful.
My Trusted MOGs
love the wild magnolias. great post, fully informative.
My Trusted MOGs
Oh my...thx for putting me up on this
My Trusted MOGs
Thanks for the music and your "back"-link to "New Orleans 101". Muy interessante. The only group steming from New Orleans, I know (and of which I know, that it stems for there) are the New Orleans Nightcrawlers. Not any more ;)
My Trusted MOGs
fanfreakintastic stuff. i didnt know this came out. now i have to save up my lunch money.
My Trusted MOGs
Thanks so much for the re-issue/Sunnyside info; great post, and love the tunes!!
My Trusted MOGs
No problem GC, and thanks to everybody else for helping the good times roll.
Sunnyside Records looks like they are mostly in a jazz bag, but they did an incredible job with this piece.
My Trusted MOGs
That was awesome!
My Trusted MOGs
Cody, as usual, you bring another great song/genre to our attention. Thanks once again.