Putumayo presents New Orleans - Louis Armstrong,Dr John,Putumayo Album Review

Putumayo:New Orleans

Album Review

Flavour some of the Mardi Gras celebrations with this Putumayo World Music's release of jazz,blues and swing-New Orleans style.With only two household names to boast- Louis Armstrong and Louis Prima,this eleven tracker still manages to bring out the best of the genre.Current and past crème de la crème come out to play,giving a 'tableaux' snapshot of the lively interpretations.Bursting with quality musicianship and singing,the mood of the Mardi Gras is brought straight into your living room(or wherever you like to play it).

After an energetic start by local favourite Kermit Ruffins(who also get a simultaneous CD release),he lives up to his reputation as the hottest new talent in New Orleans.The sweltering heat and atmosphere continues throughout the disc,with sublime contributions from Armstrong on Tin Roof Blues( recorded 1966),as he growls and snarls his way through the plodding and charming standard.Louis Prima,another legend,shows some fine smokey vocals on Basin Street Blues,a song about the notorious red-light district of the city.Virtuoso singer Topsy Chapman adds her sharp and deft vocal discipline on the cool and infectious Baby Won't You Please Come Home.Despite being on the scene for many years,Chapman is a star waiting to be discovered.Stellar trumpeter Kevin Clark is mesmerising on The Devil Done Got Me Blues,as is Dr.Michael White's fluid clarinet work on Gypsy Second Line.Dr.John,one of the giants of the city,throws in his version of basin Street Blues in his inimitable and unique style.

Overall,the collection hits all the right notes,as it spreads the playlist to cover both new and old forms of Jazz.