The Revivalists Picks Out The Sounds Of New Orleans
The Revivalists are steeped in the sounds and culture of New Orleans.
A port city that has always known how to have a good time, New Orleans has a rich, deep awareness of rhythmic power.
The band's new album 'Take Good Care' is out now, a 14 track survey of the past, present, and future of funk-edged New Orleans songwriting.
With a London date taking place in just a few days, Clash sat down with The Revivalists to discuss a few songs that get to the core of the Crescent City...
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Dr. John - 'Qualified' (As picked by Zack Feinberg)
This is some high energy Dr. John at the pinnacle of his Dr. John-ness. Rhythmically and lyrically it’s so damn New Orleans, I love it. “Your social life ain’t no better than my hot dog stand!”
New Orleans is a fringe city that punches way above its weight class. We hold our unique culture as sacred but without taking it so seriously as to not be fun.
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Robert Palmer - 'Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley' (As picked by David Shaw)
If I’m not mistaken I believe that that The Meters were the band in the studio with him on this tune and possibly entire album. The coming together of potent musical worlds is what New Orleans music is all about. Not to mention the song is a total party.
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Allen Toussaint - 'Southern Nights' (As picked by Andrew Campanelli)
In addition to writing and producing so much of the New Orleans sound that we all love Allen had a depth to his piano playing that came from his soul, especially on Southern Nights.
The song shimmers like moonlight between magnolia leaves swaying in the humid south Louisiana breeze.
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The Neville Brothers - 'Yellow Moon' (As picked by Rob Ingraham)
You can’t have New Orleans without the Nevilles. The venerated musical family is a cultural institution.
The title track off the Neville Brothers’ opus 'Yellow Moon' - much like the Nevilles themselves - is a wonderful showcase of the city’s rich blend of musical traditions, featuring a slinky afro-Caribbean groove, saxophone lines that weave in and out of the tune like a snake charmer, and a characteristically pristine vocal performance from Aaron Neville.
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Mutemath - 'Typical' (As picked by Michael Girardot)
Watch the video. It’s amazing, but can’t begin to convey the high you get from seeing a group of guys who did such crazy things on stage you were in awe that their instruments and bones left the stage intact.
A killer drummer, a killer multi-instrumentalist frontman, and an staggering amount of hard work, were a recipe for a smoking live show.
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The Meters - 'Just Kissed My Baby' (As picked by Ed Williams)
This is one of my favorite New Orleans classics that is a perfect driving song. I love putting it on when I’m heading back into New Orleans when I see the skyline.
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Rebirth Brass Band - 'Do Whatcha Wanna' (As picked by George Gekas)
New Orleans is a city rich with musical tradition, with none being greater than that of the brass band. Rebirth Brass Band, in particular, is one of those legendary acts that keeps the heart of the city beating.
The beauty of the music is that it can be performed from a street corner, in a second line parade, or a music venue. Anywhere where the energy of the crowd can affect the music.
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The Meters - 'Ain't No Use' (As picked by PJ Howard)
In 2015 my funk band and I did a tribute show covering the legendary Meters in Chicago. The band has that authentic New Orleans sound and I have been hooked ever since.
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'Take Good Care' is out now. Catch The Revivalists at London's 100 Club on February 7th.
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