Take Me To The River New Orleans
Petaluma, 2022
8/10
Listen to Take Me To The River New Orleans
The soundtrack the a full-length documentary film that celebrates the rich musical history, heritage, legacy and influence of New Orleans and Louisiana, we’re treated to 26 very diverse and well thought out tracks here that are populated with incredible talent.
Cyril Neville’s “In Love With My Nola” opens the listen with bright brass, as Neville’s smooth pipes guide the soulful rocker that welcomes Voices of the Wetlands, and Mannie Fresh, Big Freedia & Galactic’s “Act Like You Know” follows with a flowing hip-hop appeal that recruits Dee-1 for the upbeat and dance friendly climate.
Further on, Dr. John and Davell Crawford join forces for the piano driven and gritty “Jock-A-Mo”, while Cyril Neville returns with Dumpstaphunk for the rhythmic and R&B influenced “Street Parade”. Deeper still, “Wrong Part Of Town”, by the 79rs, showcases exciting percussion and primitive drumming as the group vocals emit a bit of a tribal spirit.
Inching towards the end, Donald Harrison and Christian Scott pair up for the flourishing jazz and grooves of “Sand Castle HeadHunters”, and Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville and George Porter Jr. bring a festive demeanor to the infectious energy of “Carnival Time”.
An extremely well done affair that features the final performances from the Neville Brothers and Dr. John, there is much to enjoy here, where household names like Snoop Dogg and Ani DiFranco are just as luminous as lesser known but equally interesting artists like Soul Rebels and PJ Morton.
Travels well with: Dumpstaphunk- Where Do We Go From Here; George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners- Crying For Hope