Bman's Blues Report

LEON RUSSELL, BOOKER T, ERIC BURDON, REBIRTH BRASS BAND, DOUG KERSHAW WITH STEVE RILEY, DWAYNE DOPSIE, JO-EL SONNIER, CHUBBY CARRIER HEADLINE 25th ANNUAL SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 28-29 Los Angeles area’s largest Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Roots music festival, held over Memor...

I just received a copy of Rounder Records latest recording to be released on January 12th, Meet Me At Mardi Gras . Rounder has put together a fine selection of tracks to get us ready for our trip to New Orleans (or to listen to in case we can't get off to go this year)! Mardi Gras if you haven't got it on your schedule is February 21 this year (festivities beginning around the 18 ...as if they ever stop). The recording starts off with a great cut, Say Na Hey by the Soul Rebels . This is a great funky New Orleans track that is sure to get your beads movin. It is horn driven with a great guitar solo for me and trumpet solos to top it off. The second track, Goin' Back to New Orleans is performed by Joe Liggins and the Honeydrippers . This track is delivered by it's author in typical new Orleans jazz style with dixieland sax. clarinet and piano oozing out of it. Track three Mardi Gras Mambo is performed by Zachary Richard and provides that taste of Caribbean. Track fou...

Simply put, The Rebirth Brass Band is a New Orleans institution. Formed in 1983 by the now infamous Frazier brothers, the band has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world. Rebirth is committed to upholding the tradition of brass bands while at the same time incorporating modern music into their show. Their signature brand of heavy funk has not only won over several generations of music lovers, it has become the soundtrack to an entire city. In the wake of the sometimes-stringent competition amongst brass bands, Rebirth is the undisputed leader of the pack, and they show no signs of slowing down.