[.ca] Louisiana Gumbo

From Amazon.co.uk:
The Putumayo label's distinctively packaged "introduction" series winds up in New Orleans, as well as travelling briefly out to the swamps. As the title suggests, we get to hear everything from blues to funk, rock & roll to zydeco, often mulched up into a single fat-bottomed groove. All the tracks are short, no messing assaults on the dance floor, the running order liberally peppered with instrumentals. Guitars and horns get plenty of riffing and soloing space, but the piano is frequently king, especially when at the mercy of James Booker and Eddie Bo, both players favouring some heavily percussive key abuse. Clifton Chenier plays his accordion up against some furiously scraped rub board and Rockin' Dopsie slow-drags through "I'm Coming Home", a couple of strays from Putumayo's companion Zydeco compilation. On the vocal front, Johnny Adams has a clear lead, fronting his pumping band on "It Ain't The Same Thing", while Percy Mayfield contributes the atypically non-soul Louisiana and Snooks Eaglin takes it down the slow, gospel route with the closing "Nine Pound Steel". There isn't a bad track in sight, though one small complaint is the running time of barely 45 minutes rather than the hour-plus we would normally expect from a set like this. --Martin Longley

What a 'sleeper' !:
I don't remember buying this CD, but I certainly remember the first time I played it. It is a fantastic collection of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco. Particularly like 'Festis', but really all of it is good.

Terrific:
This is a wonderful collection of blues, soul and R & B and zydeco from New Orleans and the bayous of Louisiana. And a great introduction to lesser known artists who really deserve to be heard, like Charles Sheffield. But of course there are also the well known artists, such as the Neville Brothers and Clifton Chenier. This album is guaranteed to get your feet tapping. The 24 page booklet includes an essay about Louisiana and it's music, and a page devoted to each song and it's artist, and photos.

Crazy for Gumbo:
I heard this CD in a gift shop in Lewes, DE, and found myself dancing in the aisles. It is as much blues as what you might think of as traditional cajun-style music. It reminded my friend and me of Etta James, but with assorted artists and great blues stylings. I can't wait to have my hands on my own copy!

As Good As It Gets....:
Hot & Spicy, Tasty & Fulfilling.....just what gumbo is supposed to be! First heard in a little local boutique, I was shakin my shimmie from the first song on and just HAD to buy it! Makes me wish I were strollin down d'bayou or scoffing up some of Tipatina's finest right now. I've bought several copies to give as gifts (some weren't all that excited until they gave it a listen; now those people are turning others onto it). I've given a couple other zy CD's a try but like the man says, "It ain't the same thang".......buy it and enjoy the Big Easy in your own easy chair.

• It's Your Voodoo Working - Charles Sheffield
• Door Poppin' - Carol Fran, Clarence Hollimon
• African Gumbo - James Booker
• Ti Na Na - Clifton Chenier
• It Ain't the Same Thing - Johnny Adams
• Lead Me On - Lynn August
• Voodoo - The Neville Brothers
• Piano Roll - Eddie Bo
• I'm Coming Home - Rockin' Dopsie & the Zydeco Twisters
• Festis Believe in Justice - Rockie Charles
• Louisiana - Percy Mayfield
• Nine Pound Steel - Snooks Eaglin