New Orleans music--great any time of year

[jazzboCR]

...but especially in this pre-Easter season. Got 3 guys for you: 1 is well-known, one is a UU (unfairly unknown), the group is recent.
When you talk about New Orleans music since the '60's, Allen Toussaint has to be in the convo. Sideman, leader, composer, producer, and mainly, strong motivator...and always class (he doesn't do that money-grubbing turkey trot). You need to do 2 things: 1) Look who he's employed/played with, 2) the songs he's written and played and written on contract, and the brilliant covers. A Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Toussaint A Discog (make sure to scan compilations and DVDs also; he's got 5 4+ star comps and 1 very worthy DVD).: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/allen-tou...iscography His Site: http://allentoussaint.com/ << opens with music
Some tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV7F-JwTx_U << No better song to start with
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGAFOz5GA8I << Sure gives you another slant on this song, yes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN9FYh_GmnM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGEToLa9v3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9l7FoWDnjM

BONUS 1: some stuff from NPR ( that 1st one can be expanded to 15 minutes--3 songs and some chatter): http://www.npr.org/artists/15403068/allen-toussaint
BONUS 2: an hour+ concert in Tokyo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4frYZXc9tQ << Put this on and your party's made...

[jazzboCR]

If Allen Toussaint says it, I believe it...and that settles it. So when he posits that the piano stayed important, even central, to New Orleans music because N.O. music stayed behind mainstream musics and thus stayed acoustic (stand-up bass vs. electric, e.g.), there you go. Which brings us right to a modern master, Henry Butler. Everybody learned from/ stole from/ was guided by Professor Longhair and Mr. Butler continues and extends that tradition. Multi-instrumentalist--he could over-dub himself and be the whole band (he'd never do it--just sayin'...). Blind since an early age, he's a gifted photographer (!). His Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Butler His Site: http://www.henrybutler.com/ His AMG bio and discog--the bio is an interesting music overview.: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/henry-but.../biography and http://www.allmusic.com/artist/henry-but.../biography << Look at all those stars--even his '08 solo piece is worth it.

Some tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P95M53J4NK8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtZCG4KlpQo << Another from that gig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT2R_VhoQSg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZSMvSAkXNk << I'd so much rather hear him on the genuine 88's but you take what you can get
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRMfiAjKcfQ

BONUS: an hour+ plus, talking music at the U.S. Library of Congress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KHi6KS3_rY
NOTE: I just realized I'd written on this magnificent artist only 1-1/2 months ago. Either Posting gives you the full flavor of Mr. Butler. Sorry.

[jazzboCR]

OK now that 2 modern concert/recording masters have been covered, how about somebody you and your Rock-steady One&Only can enjoy on a Saturday night? The New Orleans Suspects Continuing the tradition of N.O. music being bits and pieces from everywhere. Especially good live--the Amazin's agree: http://www.amazon.com/Caught-Live-at-Map...538&sr=1-2 Slim discog--check their Site: http://www.neworleanssuspects.com/ << Every member is a stone-cold pro. The Main Man is C.R. Gruver: https://www.facebook.com/pages/CR-Gruver...82?fref=ts

Some tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMp_NGfM1IM << Different line-ups all the time but all in the groove
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrSr_S_V8I4 << They take this to some great places... unusually for me, I listened through twice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bMtscaiAaM << Full perf available through the station <<There's a word to describe them--"mesmerizing".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr5gJZeJzvg << Not a terrif recording but most of the impact comes through
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUjanbWdWtg << At a Denver club--what 2nd line is all about

BONUS: How about 2 hours at a friendly Florida club?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeETxuqT6Xw