Your 2019 New Orleans Music Gift Guide

Each year at this time, my show features new releases for those fine listeners who still believe giving music is a divine way to celebrate the holidays. Here is the 2019 edition. The descriptions of these 2019 new releases from New Orleans are in the order you’ll hear them on the show. Song titles are in italics.

Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers – Bon Ton – His accordion will make you dance; it can make you cry. His latest gets you right into the heart of the Acadiana scene with etouffee and a night out at the Zydeco. Give Me What I Want

Leyla McCalla – The Capitalist -Her third release, proficient in Haitian creole, French, banjo, guitar and cello, she continues the city’s tradition of creatively blending and bending musical genres. Oh My Love

Spider Murphy’s Fatback Vipers – Smells Like Salvation – It’s lazy to describe him as Tom Waits with a banjo. Except the description fits. He’s good with his instrument yet smart enough to allow his band mates on trombone, piano, tuba and saxophone to shine. Slowly But Surely

Bon Bon Vivant – Live at the Circus – Deep lyrics and playful delivery makes this band a delight to catch live or on record. The band graced KAOS studios this summer and did this five-song set for us. You won’t be disappointed. The Bones

Bamboula 2000 – Cuba to Congo Square – This release continues the band’s 25-year tradition of moving bodies with rhythm from djembe, congas, talking drums, bata, atumpan, shekere, dun dun, and fontonfrom. Cuba to Congo Square

Tiffany Pollack and Eric Johanson – Blues In My Blood – Powerful vocals combined with soaring, smoth guitar, throw in excellent backing and a family connection (they’re cousins) and you’ve got a CD worthy of keeping on repeat. No Expectations

Bobby Rush – Sitting on Top of the Blues – Eighty-six years old with 26 studio albums and a recent Grammy under his belt and with this latest one nominated for another, Bobby Rush is still randy as hell. His songs are about love, crazy love (Sweet Lizzy), sexy love (Slow Motion), cute love (Pooky Poo). And the one I play, love denied – Get Out of Here (Dog Named Bo)

Ecirb Muller’s Twisted Dixie – What Had Happened Was. . . – Dr. Brice Miller, of Mahogany Brass Band fame, has created a time machine and a mythical savant to transport the hipness of Louis Armstrong and New Orleans’ early jazz days into the funkified vibe of today. – Make Me Wanna Holler

Alexey Marti – Mundo – This Havana-born and New Orleans-based percussionist showcases his 15 original songs which include samba, bossa nova, ballad, and salsa — demonstrating new depths to this highly respected and in-demand musician. Salt and Pepper

Carlo Ditta – Hungry for Love – The creative force behind Orleans Records, Ditta is keeping New Orleans traditions alive. First, by ensuring we can continue to listen to records by Little Freddie King and the Pin Stripe Brass Band and by creating music that embodies the spirit of legends like Eddie Bo and Coco Robicheaux. Pass the Hatchet.

Davell Crawford – Dear Fats I Love You -It’s just Crawford’s piano (as well as his heart) performing classic Fats Domino tunes — recorded shortly after Domino’s death. Given the passing of Dave Bartholomew this year – Domino’s partner in many of these tunes — its timely to revisit these simple yet elegant songs.

Kid Eggplant And the Melatauns – Big Trouble in Little Chalmette – Can you say “Party Record!” Listen to your vegetables, they’re good for you. The perfect music gift for the R&B lover looking for fresh and fun. Get High

Smoking Time Jazz Club – Contrapuntal Stomp – The 10th release by this very active traditional jazz band of highly competent young musicians flows sweetly through 16 tracks of swinging tunes. The Eel

Jazz Fest: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – Released by Smithsonian Folkways in honor of the festival’s 50th year, this five CD set offers a historic sampling of the diverse music styles that have graced the many Jazz Fest stages over the years – focusing on the local artists who have made his festival so exceptional. – Earl King’s Trick Bag

To Be Continued Brass Band – TBC II – No label. No Website. No liner notes or anything but a logo on their CD. But don’t let that keep you from enjoying this original New Orleans brass band. TBC II

Smoky Greenwell – Blues and the Power of Peace – This is the perfect apology gift for going ballistic on your Trump-voting relative at Thanksgiving. The latest record by a veteran New Orleans blues harmonica player strikes enough of a conciliatory note without surrendering a single political point. I’m a Lover (Not a Fighter)

Galactic – Already Already – With nothing to prove, Galactic continues to do the unexpected. This time with eight tightly constructed songs featuring New Orleans vocalists – some familiar (Erica Falls, David Shaw) and some lesser known (Ms. Charm Taylor, Princess Shaw and Boyfriend) Dance at My Funeral

Norbert Susemihl et al – The New Orleans Dance Hall Quartet – Recorded in the New Orleans Musician’s Union Hall during the city’s Tricentennial year, this record captures and honors music of depression era and post WWII New Orleans dance halls. I’m Alone Because of You

Benny Turner and Cash McCall – Recorded in New Orleans, Memphis and Chicago, this is a reunion of two veteran Chicago bluesman (Benny has been based in New Orleans since the 80’s) and offers talented backing and engaging vocals. Spoonful

Bonerama – Bonerama Plays Zeppelin – A reverent yet original adaptation of Led Zeppelin’s greats — with trombones as the lead voice and Matt Perrine’s magical sousaphone handling the bass line. Hey Hey What Can I Do

Herlin Riley – Perpetual Optimism – A percussionist with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra,  Riley has assembled a rhythmically engaging mainstream jazz album with five originals and an awesome cover of “Wang Dang Doodle.” Wings and Roots.

Byron Asher – Byron Asher’s Skrontch Music –  A five-part suite created during an artist-in-residence at Tulane, it includes excerpts of interviews of early jazz musicians on a bed of original music. We will likely hear more from this young clarinetist/composer in the future. (I hope) Elegy.

Elizabeth Joan Kelly – Farewell, Doomed Planet! – Her second release using found sounds and MIDI is about the apocalypse we’re headed toward–a musical composition that Greta Thunberg might embrace – ethereal, haunting and mesmerizing. Harm

Jonathon Bauer – Walk Don’t Run – Another New Orleans jazz emigre (Canada) drawn like a moth to the city learn and practice his passion. He paid his dues with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and his debut release manages to capture both a modern feel and New Orleans flair. Closer

Soul Rebels – Poetry in Motion – Just got it in the studio on the day of the show. On quick listen, its clear the Rebels are taking the brass band sound forward and with lots of help from New Orleans talent such as Kermit Ruffins, Mannie Fresh, Dee-1, Trombone Shorty, Branford Marsalis, Cheeky Blakk, Tarriona “Tank” Ball and much more. Down for my City.

Doug Duffey and Badd – Play the Blues – This is a solid blues album by a Louisiana Music Hall of Famer with decades of New Orleans live performances under his belt. He’s Monroe-based now but creating great music with a talented team. Drink it On Down

Bryan Lee – Sanctuary – The perfect gift for your Christian blues fan – This veteran guitarist, who has made New Orleans his home, cleared an item off his bucket list with this blues -gospel record. Fight for the Light

Lakou Misik – HaitiaNola – New Orleans and Haiti histories intertwine dating back to the historic slave revolt on the island in 1791. This year, the revolution involves this Haitian ensemble mixing it up with the likes of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Trombone Shorty, Cyril Neville, Leyla McCalla (of Haitian heritage) , the Soul Rebels and more. (Sorry didn’t have a chance to play a song from this album on my show)

You can order this music online from a local record store in New Orleans – the Louisiana Music Factory or follow the links provided to buy directly from the artist. Thank you to the artists and labels such as Basin Street that send their music to KAOS. And thank you for tuning in to the show and subscribing to this blog.