Fabulous CD of Mardi Gras music! excellent for parties and just having a good time. Except for one small problem. It claims to be the Essential Mardi Gras CD but does not have "If ever I cease to love" on it, the official theme song of Mardi Gras!
Whoops!But still an excellent buy!
The freewheeling New Orleans sound is a product of its unique mixture of cultures and ethnic groups. While other North American cities can claim they are cultural to this sound, it is the strong African presence the way New Orleans has. This unlikely combination would produce New Orlean's "second line" beat. The second line beat, where the drummer hits on the beat and the after beat, is still a common thread in all styles of New Orleans music, be it rhythm and blues, dixieland, funk, rock, contemporary jazz, or the music of the Mardi Gras Indians.A few stand outs - "LITTLE LIZA JANE" (Dirty Dozen Brass Band) a traditional number brass bands have been playing in New Orleans for more than a century - "SECOND LINE PART ONE" (Bill Sinigal & the Skyliners) is a marching band and brass band favorite, has rhythm and blues roots - "MEET DE BOYS ON THE BATTLERONT" (The Wild Tchoupitoulas) was a spirited 13th Ward Tribe led by Big Chief Jolly, with a great rendition of their story.
No party is complete without music, so it makes perfect sense that Mardi Gras - the World's Largest Party - and Hip-O Records is your host - a hard combination to beat!
Total Time: 59:10 on 16 Tracks/ Hip-O Records - 314 545 684 2 (2000)