Today is Fat Tuesday! Mardi Gras! Even with the all the troubles in the world (and there are always troubles in the world) we need to reset our emotions with a reason to just “let the good times roll.”
Of course, you need some suitable music! I have a few personal picks for just plain happy sounds you should try out before you shut down your evening with some “Jolie Blon.”
“Tipitina” from Professor Longhair
I’m hitting you with the obvious first, but you can’t have a NOLO-style bash without some Professor Longhair, and you can’t play Professor Longhair without his “Tipitina.” Henry Roeland Byrd was the real name of “Fess”. He died in 1980 at only 61, but influenced countless other musicians.
“When the Saints Go Marching In” by Dr. John
New Orleans didn’t just have a fantastic Professor, it also had a colorful, chaotic doctor: Dr. John. Those who were lucky enough to see a Dr. John performance were tossed into a Mardis Gras celebration, Voodoo ceremony, and crazy magical mystery tour all rolled into one. His biggest hit was “Right Place, Wrong Time” but when he died in 2019, this was the song we all shared:
“Gonna Take You There” from Princess and the Frog
Dr. John didn’t live a very “family-friendly” lifestyle, but he contributed his party sound to several family films like 2016’s Jungle Book, Curious George, and the New Orleans-based The Princess and the Frog. This soundtrack was produced by Randy Newman, and is still one of the coolest of all Disneys. So parents, please let “Let It Go,” go, and quit talking about “We Don’t Talk about Bruno,” because the bayou is where it’s at tonight. Gather the kids and song along:
“Ain’t No City” from The Original Pinettes Brass Band
New Orleans’ only all-women brass band knows how to party. This is something, considering they were first formed in a Catholic school in 1991. They defeated other worthy brass bands for the 2013 title of the New Orleans based Street Kings competition. That year, the title went to “Street Queens.” This is also a little shout-out to Saints fans.
“Jubilee Stomp” from Tuba Skinny
As you make your way home from the party, you might find yourself wandering the famous, tourist-filled streets of New Orleans. That’s not so bad if you come upon an amazing street performance. We’ll close down our Mardi Gras party with a taste of some late night street music, filmed near the studio of George Rodrigue (aka Blue Dog Man) on Royal Street.
We may be coming up on the season of Lent, or still enduring the hardships of past of years, but take a little time to celebrate Fat Tuesday. Pour yourself a cup of cafe au lait (or mix yourself a Hurricane), and slice up that King Cake. Tomorrow’s worries will come soon enough. For tonight, “Laissez le bon temps rouler.”