AMG Review of Red Beans N Rice

Pemberton Roach
All Music Guide

An enigmatic pianist and vocalist whose hip-shaking, Caribbean-influenced sound in many ways served as the archetype for the entire New Orleans R&B genre, Professor Longhair was the foundation upon which the careers of Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, and countless others were built. Red Beans N Rice contains many of Fess' best-known songs, including the Mardi Gras standards "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" and "Tipitina," as well as "Big Chief," a virtual Rosetta Stone of Big Easy 88's-tickling. That said, the versions included here are a bit of a mixed bag; about half the tracks appear to be from the same high-energy 1979 Chicago club date documented on Fuel 2000s Big Easy Strut release, while others are much earlier classic studio tracks also available on several older collections. Among the less-common highlights are the jaunty, humorous "She Ain't Got No Hair," and a particularly loose, greasy live take on the drug-themed NOLA standard "Junko Partner." While certainly not the most representative, best-sounding, or most complete introduction to Professor Longhair, Red Beans N Rice is still a fine collection of music from an iconic artist.