As I write these words people in New Orleans and other parts of the world are celebrating Fat Tuesday or as we generally call it Mardi Gras. Being a soul and funk fan, especially one raised in the south, the music of New Orleans has had an indelible effect on how I listen to and what I enjoy about music and dancing. (That love for the music of New Orleans is just one of the many reasons I am so happy that a new season of Treme is fast approaching!)
And so, on a Mardi Gras day like today, in my opinion, there are truly no finer songs to sing or hear than these five tracks, several of which are on a fantastic collection (that I always seem to see for $4 or less) very appropriately called Mardi Gras in New Orleans…Laissez les bon temps roulet!
New Birth Brass – Going To Mardi Gras
Dr. John Creaux the Night Tripper – Mardi Gras Day
Bo Dollis & the Wild Magnolias – Handa Wanda
The Dixie Cups – Iko Iko
Professor Longhair – Big Chief
…I’ll add one more, maybe more of a song specifically for the later hours, just when you think the partying is done and you have to find your way back home and finally to bed, but then you discover that the good times have only really started…
Clifton Chenier – Bon Ton Roulet (Let The Good Times Roll)