The 50 must-have New Orleans records

The 50 must-have New Orleans records

Note: this story originally was published in 2011.Jump to:
Part 1 - Crooners
Part 2 - Brass Bands
Part 3 - Modern Acts
Part 4 - Indians n' Jazz
Part 5 - Piano Masters

What are those must-haves, stuck-on-a-desert-island essential New Orleans recordings? With the high holy season of New Orleans music in full swing, French Quarter Fest, Jazz Fest, et al, this seemed like the perfect time to figure out that very question.

In honor of this great time of year, the time of year when the spotlight is on one of the city’s most treasured commodities, we decided to dig through dusty record bins, scavenge the Internet, and listen to hours of music to find that one special recording – maybe it’s that one great James Booker album, or that long-lost Irma Thomas record, or even what younger artists have entered this realm - from each of the city’s musical masters. We combed through all genres, from rap to R&B to funk to brass band, even metal.

We only had one two rules in choosing these 50 essential albums: each album had to have been recorded by a New Orleans musician -- we played it loose with that term -- and we only allowed one album per recording artist. We've separted them into five separate groups containing 10 albums each.

So click ahead to see all the best albums New Orleans has to offer, with the latest batch being a group of some of the best pianists in the history of our city.

Click here to see the list all on one page

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Posted on April 29, 2012 at 6:10 PM

Updated Tuesday, Apr 23 at 9:46 PM

Here is a list of each album for your viewing pleasure:

Piano Masters
1. James Booker – "Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah" – Rounder – 1993
2. Allen Toussaint - "Allen Toussaint" - Varese Fontana - 1971
3. Professor Longhair - "The Last Mardi Gras" - Atlantic - 1982
4. Dr. John - "In the Right Place" - Elektra - 1973
5. Jelly Roll Morton - "The Complete Library of Congress Recordings - Rounder - 1938
6. Fats Domino - "My Blue Heaven" - Capitol - 1990
7. Eddie Bo - "Check Mr. Popeye" - Rounder - 1988
8. Henry Butler - "Homeland" - Basin Street Records - 2004
9. Joe Krown Organ Combo - "Livin Large" - Joe Krown - 2005
10. Ellis Marsalis - "Whistle Stop" - Sony - 1993

Indians 'n' Jazz
11. The Wild Magnolias - "The Wild Magnolias" – Polydor – 1974
12. Preservation Hall Jazz Band - "An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall" - Preservation Hall - 2010
13. The Neville Brothers - "Nevillization" - Black Top - 1984
14. The Meters - "Rejuvenation" - Reprise Records - 1974
15. Wynton Marsalis - "Black Codes (From the Underground)" - Sony - 1985
16. Los Hombres Calientes - "Vol. 3 New Congo Square" - Basin Street Records - 2001
17. The Wild Tchoupitoulas - "The Wild Tchoupitoulas" - Mango - 1976
18. Astral Project - "Big Shot" - Astral Project - 2001
19. Louis Armstrong - "Complete Hot Five & Hot Seven Recordings" - Columbia - 2000
20. Pete Fountain - "Pete Fountain's New Orleans" - MCA - 1957

Modern Acts
21. Anders Osborne - "American Patchwork" - Alligator Records - 2010
22. Glen David Andrews - "Walking Through Heaven's Gate" - Threadhead Records - 2009
23. The Radiators - "Law of the Fish" - Sony - 1987
24. John Boutte - "Jambalaya" - CDBY - 2008
25. Lil Wayne - "Tha Carter III" - Cash Money Records - 2008
26. Down - "NOLA" - East/West Records - 1995
27. Juvenile - "400 Degreez" - Cash Money - 1998
28. Jon Cleary - "Mo Hippa Live" - Mri Associated - 2008
29. Theresa Andersson - "Hummingbird, Go!" - Basin Street Records - 2008
30. Mystikal - "Let's Get Ready" - 2000

Brass Bands
31. Rebirth Brass Band - "Feel Like Funkin It Up" - Rounder Records - 1989
32. Galactic - "Ya-Ka-May" - Anti - 2010
33. Kermit Ruffins - "Live at Vaughan's" - Basin Street Records - 2007
34. Trombone Shorty - "Backatown" - Verve Forecast - 2010
35. Soul Rebels Brass Band - "No More Parades" - Tuff City Records - 1998
36. Shamarr Allen - "Meet Me on Frenchmen Street" - Pome Music - 2007
37. Treme Brass Band - "Gimme My Money Back" - Arholie Records - 1995
38. Big Sam's Funky Nation - "Peace, Love & Understanding" - Big Sam's Funky Nation - 2008
39. Dirty Dozen Brass Band - "What's Going On" - Shout Factory - 2006
40. Bonerama - "Bringing it Home" - Bonerama - 2006

Crooners
41. Irma Thomas - "In Between Tears" – Fungus – 1973
42. Lee Dorsey - "Yes We Can" - Polydor - 1970
43. Champion Jack Dupree - "Blues from the Gutter" - Atco - 1958
44. Earl King - "Street Parade" - Charly Records - 1972/1982
45. Mahalia Jackson - "16 Most Requested Songs" - Sony - 1996
46. Ernie K-Doe - "A Real Mother-in-Law for Ya" - Westside - 2002
47. Joe Krown, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Russell Batiste Jr. -- Live at the Maple Leaf – 2008
48. Snooks Eaglin - "Teasin You" - Black Top - 1992
49. Johnny Adams - “Heart & Soul” - Vampi Soul - 1969
50. Lloyd Price - "The Exciting Lloyd Price" - Hoo Doo Records - 1959

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