Professor Long Hair – Mardi Gras In Baton Rouge
Professor Longhair-Mardi Gras In Baton Rouge is a compilation recording released in 1991 and produced by Quint Davis. For over fifty years, Davis has annually produced the world famous, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Most of the tunes on this compilation recording were recorded and released on other Professor Longhair recordings that were produced from the early 1950’s to the early 1970’s.
New Orleans composer Allen Toussaint referred to Professor Longhair as “ The Bach of Rock !”
TRACKS:
00:00:04 – 1 Mardi Gras In New Orleans
00:03:03 – 2 Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
00:05:16 – 3 Since I Met You Baby
00:10:29 – 4 Her Mind Is Gone
00:14:58 – 5 Cry To Me
00:18:54 – 6 Meet Me Tomorrow Night
00:21:54- 7 She Ain’t Got No Hair
00:25:07 – 8 Tipitina
00:28:32 – 9 Fats Domino Medley: Goin’Home/You Know I Miss You/Rockin’Chair/Goin’ To The River
00:32:35 – 10 Mean Old World
00:35:19 – 11 Sick And Tired
00:38:35 – 12 Hey Now Baby
00:43:37 – 13 There Is Something On Your Mind
00:46:29 – 14 Doin’ It
00:50:27 – 15 Rum And Coca-Cola
00:53:32 – 16 Whole Lotta Loving
00:56:21 – 17 Gone So Long
01:01:37 – 18 How Long Has That Train Been Gone
THE MUSICIANS
Professor Longhair – Leader, Piano, and Vocals
Bass – George Davis (tracks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15),
Bass – Will Harvey (tracks: 1, 2, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18)
Drums – Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste (tracks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
Drums – Shiba (tracks: 1, 2, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18)
Guitar – Snooks Eaglin
1st Trumpet – Sweet Willie Singleton
2nd Trumpet – Clyde Kerr Jr.
Tenor Saxophone – Alvin Batiste
Baritone Saxophone – Kidd Jordan
Professor Longhair was the ‘Godfather’ of New Orleans rhythm & blues piano. Longhair’s musical stylings influenced the work of Fats Domino, Dr. John, James Booker, Huey “ Piano” Smith, Art Neville, as well as Allen Toussaint himself. Longhair’s very special appeal lay in his offbeat songs, his clear, warbling voice and the infectiously syncopated piano style which Professor Longhair once described as a blend of “ rhumba, mambo and calypso styles of music.”
To the typical New Orleanian popular music fan, Professor Longhair rattled the keys with a mélange of boogie-woogie, New Orleans parade beats and Caribbean rhythm.
Following World War II, a mountain of recording activity swept New Orleans. Longhair got his first break at the Caldonia Club in 1948, and his colorful pseudonym, “Professor Longhair” from Caldonia owner Mike Tessito.
In 1950, Longhair signed with Mercury Records. “Baldhead,” a remake of “ She Ain’t Got No Hair” made it to #5 on the R&B charts — the only R&B chart recording of Longhair’s career.
In the period 1953-64, Professor Longhair recorded sides for a number of labels,
but their popularity was limited to the New Orleans area which was caused at least in part because of Longhair’s unwillingness to travel.
By the conclusion of the 1960’s, Professor Longhair drifted into obscurity and was sweeping out a record shop and playing cards for his meager living.
Unbeknownst to ‘Fess’, Longhair had become a mysterious legend
among blues record collectors on both sides of the Atlantic.
The reincarnation of Professor Longhair was established at the
1971 Jazz Fest.
Longhair’s comeback progressed slowly, but by the mid-70’s, ‘Fess had toured Europe several times and cut an album for Capitol Records by way of the recommendation of Paul
McCartney.
Professor Longhair suffered a fatal heart attack on January 30, 1980. Longhair’s wake and funeral drew friends and celebrity admirers from far and wide. The crowd nearly demolished the tiny Majestic Funeral home, and the “ second line” of dancing mourners which followed Longhair’s hearse to the cemetery stretched ten long city blocks.
Professor LongHair’s biography, composed by “Jeff Hannusch” was primarily sourced by way of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Website:
https://rockhall.com/inductees/professor-longhair/
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