New Orleans, a city of geographical and historical prominence links the interior developments of American music, Zydeco, Delta Blues, Country etc. with external sources: Carribbean, African and Latin etc. The Crescent City has seen it all. Key performers such as Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, The Rebirth Brass Band and the Neville Brothers show the diverse sounds in the city but only hint at its legendary depth. Full of exotic myth, superstition and tropical heat more common in a Bannana Republic than an American state-- Louisiana could be its own country. New Orleans, a vibrant cultural capital, has remained isolated enough to develop at its own rate and continues unabated in the 90's with new stars such as Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton , The Iguanas, Michael Ray (photo), Galactic, The New Orleans Klezmer Allstars and The Dirty Dozen.

New Orleans Top Ten
by Ric Stewart

1. Fats Domino- They Call Me the Fat Man
   Many reasons to think Fats is the man. His Boogie based licks and bouyant enthusiasm made a sound which the world took notice of on hit after hit. Always worth a listen.

2. The Meters - Funkify Your Life (Rhino)
   A double cd one-stop to pick up on the low down and funky in New Orleans. This Rhino set mixes in a disc of previously hard to find Warner/Reprise sides which follow the evolution of this influential outfit into the Seventies.

3. Professor Longhair - Anthology (Rhino)
   An excellent starting point with the man, myth and legend who captures the sprit of New Orleans, an idiosyncratic blend of Jazz, Cuban, and boogie styles. If you ain't gonna mess with 'Fess don't bother with the rest.

4. Wynton Marsalis - Thick in The South Vol. I (Columbia)
   Refined, bluesy, and in touch with the old spirit of Jazz.

   

5. Re-Birth Brass Band - Take it To the Street (Rounder)
   You can't lose with any of their Rounder releases. On this one check out the very hot medley "Caledonia/ Flip, Flop, Fly/Ragg Mopp," you will be singing responses to band leader Kermit Ruffins before you know it.

6. The Specialty Story (Specialty)
   Larry Williams, Lloyd Price, Little Richard: this was some live limb shaking music that paved the way for rock and roll. Check out our extended feature.

7. Champion Jack Dupree - Back Home in New Orleans (Rounder)
   The smooth massage of the piano by the legendary bluesman age 79 on this date is a voice of experience. This exceptional recording made on his first visit to New Orleans in some 36 years. "Lonesome Bedroom" with langorous guitar solo from Wayne Bennet stands out among Dupree's finest work.

8. Louis Armstrong - Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man 1923-1934 (Columbia)
   This Columbia box covers Armstrong's development during the years when he changed jazz forever with his incomparably influential takes on soloing and composition. A giant.

9. Lee Dorsey - On Polydor (Polydor)
   The R&B stylist wrote the book that Joe Strummer read. Dorsey was Allen Toussaint's main conduit for hits such "Yes I Can", "Ride Your Pony", "Working In A Coalmine" and many more.