New Orleans

Funky New Orleans music grew out of and reflects a variety of musical traditions. Jazz and the reeds and horns of Dixieland, surprisingly, are not prevalent. Rather, the carnival spirit of Mardi Gras, the secretive patois of slavery-era voodoo practices, and basic Southern rhythm-and-blues hit-making formed the basis of a new, hip sound. First, the crucial talents of major songwriters and performers Professor Longhair, Alan Toussaint, Lee Dorsey, etc. established a distinctive New Orleans sound and style in popular music. Doors were opened for all sorts of acts that before had been limited to "Mardi Gras" songs performed locally if not also annually.

A second phase began as New Orleans entered the soul and funk period. The Meters began their dynastic career as proto-funk masters, beginning with a few definitive instrumentals and evolving into backing for the remarkable Neville Brothers' singing talents and backing for other homegrown acts. On the wilder side, Bo Dollis' Wild Magnolias became the leading, funky Mardi Gras Indian act to achieve success. But it was Mac Rebennack as "Dr. John, the Night Tripper" (the historic Dr. John was a legendary Voodoo figure, something of a charlatan tyrant) who recorded the funky (and weird!) New Orleans canon. The classic Gris-Gris LP in particular served up authentic voodoo chants and ritual songs in a marvelously psychedelic feast of swamp sounds.

Buying: Original New Orleans records are prized and always will be. Compilations and reissues mostly have served the major acts very well. All Meters on Josie is vital, but skip the tacky rock on Warner Bros.