The Best of Louisiana Music [Rounder]

• Artist: Various Artists
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1993
• Total Time: 71:44
• Type: Collection (various artists)
• Genre: Cajun

Review

Louisiana music has been one of Rounder's strong points in the 1980s and 1990s -- not only zydeco and Cajun music, but also soul, blues, jazz, and rock. In 1993, the Boston-area label opened its own vaults to assemble The Best of Louisiana Music, which isn't essential, but is enjoyable on the whole. Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas' "Your Mama Don't Know" and Buckwheat Zydeco's "Hot Tamale Baby" are fine examples of exuberant zydeco party music, while Aaron Neville's "Mojo Hannah," the Meters' "Look-Ka Py Py," and Irma Thomas' "I Never Fool Nobody But Me" remind listeners that Louisiana was never lacking when it came to talented soulsters. On the Dixieland tip, "If You're a Viper" finds the Rebirth Brass Band reviving a 1930s tune that paid tribute to marijuana smokers. ("Viper" was 1930s African-American slang for those who were subsequently called "potheads.") This CD is far from the last word on Louisiana music, but it does let listeners know how much exciting music they're likely to hear during Mardi Gras. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Bon Temps Rouler	Clarence Garlow, Eddie Shuler	Beausoleil	(3:50)
I Never Fool Nobody But Me	Doc Pomus, Mac Rebennack	Irma Thomas	(4:15)
Look-Ka Py Py	Art Neville, Ziggy Modeliste, Leo Nocentelli, George Porter, Jr.	The Meters	(3:19)
Your Mama Don't Know	Paul Kelly & the Stormwater Boys	Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas	(4:46)
If You're a Viper [#]		Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins	(3:35)
Les Flammes D'Enfer (The Flames of Hell)	Austin Pitre	Eddie LeJeune, D.L. Menard	(3:46)
Big Chief, Pt. 1	Earl King, Wardell Quezergue	Professor Longhair	(2:25)
Mojo Hannah	Mentor Williams, Marshall Paul	Aaron Neville	(4:33)
J'Aurais du T'Aimer (I Should Have Loved You)	Johnnie Allan	Jimmy C. Newman, Cajun Country	(2:32)
Carnival Time	Joe Ruffino, Al Johnson	The Wild Magnolias, Bo Dollis	(2:44)
Imitation of Love	Doc Pomus, Mac Rebennack	Johnny Adams	(4:32)
Opelousas Sostan	Benny Graeff, Victor Palmer	Mamou	(2:30)
Meet Me with Your Black Drawers On	Jeannie Cheatham	Chuck Carbo	(5:30)
Hot Tamale Baby	Clifton Chenier	Buckwheat Zydeco	(4:44)
Mardi Gras in New Orleans	Roy Byrd	The Dirty Dozen Brass Band	(5:29)
So Swell When You're Well	James Booker	James Booker	(3:07)
Street Talk	Wilson Turbinton	Dr. John, Willie Tee, Bo Dollis	(3:46)
Blues du Saoulard (Drunkard's Blues)	Louis Cormier	Mamou Playboys, Steve Riley	(3:26)
Watch That Dog	Alvin Cormier	John Delafose, The Eunice Playboys	(3:15)

Credits

Beausoleil (Performer), Buckwheat Zydeco (Performer), John Delafose (Performer), Michael Doucet (Producer), Eddie LeJeune (Performer), Dr. John (Performer), The Meters (Performer), Aaron Neville (Performer), Irma Thomas (Producer), Irma Thomas (Performer), The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Producer), The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Performer), The Wild Magnolias (Performer), James Booker (Performer), Mamou (Performer), Willie Tee (Producer), Willie Tee (Performer), Rebirth Brass Band (Performer), Mamou Playboys (Performer), Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas (Performer), Kermit Ruffins (Performer), Johnny Adams (Performer), Scott Billington (Producer), Chuck Carbo (Performer), Quint Davis (Producer), Bo Dollis (Performer), The Eunice Playboys (Performer), Ken Gorz (Producer), Bill Halverson (Producer), Ken Irwin (Producer), Ron Levy (Producer), Professor Longhair (Performer), D.L. Menard (Performer), Jimmy C. Newman (Producer), Rick Olivier (Photography), Rick Olivier (Cover Photo), John Parsons (Producer), Wardell Quezergue (Arranger), Wardell Quezergue (Conductor), Steve Riley (Performer), Marshall Sehorn (Producer), Al Tharp (Producer), Allen Toussaint (Producer), Mac Rebennack (Producer), Zydeco Cha-Chas (Performer), Cajun Country (Performer)