Monthly Archives: July 2012

ODE

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This made me cry — proof that if Hollywood won’t make joyful and moving musicals, people will make their own.

With thanks to Facebook friend Jessica Ritchey.

OVER YOU

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Early Aaron Neville, when he was at his absolute best, with the melisma firmly under control. (Note that his name was misspelled on the label of the 45.)

Later in life, Allen Toussaint said he regretted composing such a dark song, though he seemed to take a sheepish pride in having been so daring.

HOME OF THE BLUES

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This is one of the greatest albums of all time — not exactly blues, but a superior compilation of New Orleans R & B.  Once, back in the 80s, I was rambling around New Orleans with a famous rock guitarist.  We checked out a record store at some point and he saw this album and insisted that I buy it.  He said that if he was ever having trouble getting into a girl’s pants he’d put this on the turntable and then suddenly there would be no problem.  I think it really does have some special mojo to it.  It makes you slightly delirious, as New Orleans R & B can.

The Minit label issued a follow-up album, Home Of the Blues Vol. 2, heavy on Irma Thomas, which is sweet, too, but not as perfect as this collection.  The two volumes were released as a single CD five years ago by EMI abroad, and can be had as an import via Amazon.

Click on the images to enlarge.