Our New Orleans

Submitted by nonesuch on
genre
Jazz
Popular Music
also filed under
Allen Toussaint
Randy Newman
Release Date
DescriptionExcerpt

This soul-stirring 2005 compilation benefits Habitat for Humanity’s post-Katrina rebuilding effort and features such Crescent City legends as Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and Irma Thomas. Philadelphia Weekly declared it “an extraordinary gathering of the city's living musical heritage.”

Description

In December 2005, Nonesuch released a benefit album of newly recorded songs featuring artists from the New Orleans music community—across a wide variety of styles—to document the depth, richness, and profound musicality of that unique city. Funds from the sale of the record, titled Our New Orleans, go to Habitat for Humanity to aid those affected by the recent Hurricane Katrina disaster. Several of New Orleans’ best-known musicians  contributed songs that are integral to their lives and that express their feelings about the city and the recent events there. The album was made swiftly and simply, over the course of a month, in several one-day sessions in cities across the country.

Sessions began in New York in late September 2005 with Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Wild Magnolias (Doug Petty and Matt Sakakeeny, producers); Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Joe Henry, producer); and Jon Cleary and Dr. John (Hal Willner and Mark Bingham, producers). Buckwheat Zydeco recorded in Memphis on October 3 (Ry Cooder, producer); Randy Newman and others artists contributed tracks later in the month.

Nonesuch’s parent company—Warner Bros. Records, part of the Warner Music Group—donated all of the production costs for Our New Orleans as part of the Group’s larger efforts on behalf of hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast. Many others involved in creating the album also generously donated their time and services.

ProductionCredits

1. Yes We Can Can
Performed by Allen Toussaint, piano, lead vocals; Jay Bellerose, drums; Doyle Bramhall II, guitar; Paul Bryan, bass; Janice Pendarvis, background vocals; Karen Bernod, background vocals; Shalene Thomas, background vocals
Allen Toussaint appears courtesy of CRT Records
Produced by Joe Henry for Work Song Inc.
Recorded by Kevin Killen, September 21, at Avatar Studios, New York, NY
Assistant: Peter Doris
Mixed by Kevin Killen at Sevonay Sound, New York, NY

2. World I Never Made
Performed by Dr. John, piano, vocals; Hugh McCracken, guitar; David Barard, bass; Herman Ernest III, drums; Charlie Miller, trumpet; Ronald Cuber, baritone sax
Dr. John appears courtesy of Parlophone Records
Produced by Mark Bingham and Hal Willner
Recorded by Drew Vonderhaar, October 4, at Clinton Recording Studios, New York, NY
Assistant: Justin Kessler
Mixed by Mark Bingham and Hal Willner at Classic Sound, New York, NY

3. Back Water Blues
Performed by Irma Thomas, lead vocals; Jay Bellerose, drums; Doyle Bramhall II, guitar; Allen Toussaint, piano
Irma Thomas appears courtesy of Rounder Records
Produced by Joe Henry for Work Song Inc.
Recorded by Kevin Killen, September 20, at Avatar Studios
Assistant: Peter Doris
Mixed by Kevin Killen at Sevonay Sound

4. Gather by the River
Performed by Davell Crawford, piano, vocals
Produced by Mark Bingham and Hal Willner
Recorded by Drew Vonderhaar, October 9, at Clinton Recording Studios
Assistant: Justin Kessler
Mixed by Mark Bingham at Millbrook Sound Studios, Millbrook, NY
 
5. Cryin' in the Streets
Performed by Buckwheat Zydeco, accordion, vocals; Ry Cooder, guitar; Jim Keltner, drums; Jim Dickinson, piano; Michael Elizondo, bass
Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr. of Buckwheat Zydeco appears courtesy of Tomorrow Recordings
Produced by Ry Cooder
Recorded by Don Smith, October 3, at Young Avenue Sound, Memphis, TN
Performed by Kevin Houston
Mixed by Don Smith at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, CA
Assistant: Pete Martinez

6. Canal Street Blues
Performed by Dr. Michael White, clarinet; Fred Lonzo, trombone; Greggory Stafford, trumpet; Detroit Brooks, banjo; Mitchell Player, bass; Frank Oxley, drums; Steve Pistorius, piano
Dr. Michael White appears courtesy of Basin Street Records
Produced by Mark Bingham and Doug Petty
Recorded by Drew Vonderhaar, October 15, at SugarHill Studios, Houston, TX
Assistants: Andy Bradley, James Garlington
Mixed by Mark Bingham at Millbrook Sound Studios

7. Brother John Is Gone / Herc-Jolly-John
Performed by Wild Magnolias: “Big Chief” Bo Dollis, lead vocals, tambourine; Gerard “Little Bo” Dollis, Jr., background vocals, percussion; “Geechie” Johnson, background vocals, bass drum; “Queen” Rita, background vocals, percussion; Guy A. Gaines, background vocals, percussion; Nick Daniels, electric bass, musical director; Willie Green III, drums; Makuni Fukuda, guitar
Produced by Doug Petty and Matt Sakakeeny
Recorded by Todd Whitelock, September 20, at Clinton Recording Studios
Assistants: Bryan Smith, Justin Kessler
Mixed by Todd Whitelock at Sony Studios, New York, NY

8. When the Saints Go Marching In
Performed by Eddie Bo, piano, vocals
Produced by Nick Spitzer
Recorded by Steve Reynolds, October 18, 2005, at Dockside Studios, Maurice, LA
Mixed by Steve Reynolds at Dockside Studios

9. My Feet Can't Fail Me Now
Performed by Dirty Dozen Brass Band: Roger Lewis, baritone and soprano saxophones; Gregory Davis, trumpet, vocals; Efrem Towns, trumpet, flugelhorn; Kevin Harris, tenor saxophone; Terence Higgins, drums; Jamie McLean, guitar; Michael Foster, sousaphone; Revert Andrews, trombone
Produced by Joe Henry for Work Song Inc.
Recorded by Kevin Killen, September 21, at Avatar Studios
Assistant: Peter Doris
Mixed by Kevin Killen at Sevonay Sound

10. Tou' les jours c'est pas la même
Performed by Carol Fran, piano, vocals
Produced by Nick Spitzer
Recorded by Sammy Holbrook, October 20, 2005, at Dockside Studios
Mixed by Steve Reynolds at Dockside Studios

11. L'ouragon
Performed by BeauSoleil: Michael Doucet, fiddle; David Doucet, acoustic guitar; Jimmy Breaux, accordion; Tommy Alesi, drums; Billy Ware, percussion; Don Vappie, bass
Produced by Michael Doucet and Nick Spitzer
Recorded by Steve Reynolds and Bill Bennett, October 24, at Dockside Studios
Mixed by Steve Reynolds and Michael Doucet at Dockside Studios

12. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans
Performed by Preservation Hall Jazz Band: John Brunious, trumpet, vocals; Ben Jaffe, bass; Joseph Lastie, Jr., drums; Lester Caliste, trombone; Clint Maedgen, saxophone; Carl Le Blanc, banjo
Produced by Doug Petty and Matt Sakakeeny
Recorded by Todd Whitelock, September 20, at Clinton Recording Studios
Assistants: Bryan Smith, Justin Kessler
Mixed by Todd Whitelock at Sony Studios

13. Prayer for New Orleans
Performed by Charlie Miller, trumpet, vocals
Produced by Mark Bingham and Hal Willner
Recorded by Drew Vonderhaar, October 4, at Clinton Recording Studios, New York, NY
Assistant: Justin Kessler
Mixed by Mark Bingham and Hal Willner at Classic Sound, New York, NY

14. What a Wonderful World
Performed by The Wardell Quezergue Orchestra featuring Donald Harrison, alto sax; Buddy Williams, drums; Gene Bertoncini, guitar; Mulgrew Miller, piano; Brian Quezergue, bass; Sanford Allen, concertmaster, violin; Regis Iandiorio, violin; Gerald Tarack, violin; Max Ellen, violin; Maxine L. Roach, viola; John R. Dexter II, viola; Olivia Koppell, viola; Jesse Levy, cello; Kermit Moore, cello
Produced by Joel Dorn and Adam Dorn
Arranger: Wardell Quezergue
Assistant: Brian Quezergue
Recorded by Anthony Ruotolo, October 24, at Avatar Studios
Assistant: Peter Doris
Mixed by Gene Paul and Jamie Polaski at DB Plus Studios, New York, NY
String Contractor: Alfred Brown

15. Tipitina and Me
Performed by Allen Toussaint, piano
Produced by Joe Henry for Work Song Inc.
Recorded by Kevin Killen, September 21, at Avatar Studios, New York, NY
Assistant: Peter Doris
Mixed by Kevin Killen at Sevonay Sound, New York, NY

16. Louisiana 1927
Performed by Randy Newman, piano, vocals; Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra with members of the New York Philharmonic
Produced by Steve Epstein
Conducted by Ted Sperling
Recorded by Larry Rock, October 27, at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Additional recording by Todd Whitelock, October 28, at Right Track Recording, New York, NY
Assistants: Jason Stasium, Joe Kent
Mixed by Todd Whitelock and Steve Epstein at Sony Studios

Design by Doyle Partners

Album mastered by Robert C. Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME

Executive Producers: Robert Hurwitz and David Bither

Nonesuch Selection Number

79934

Number of Discs in Set
1disc
ns_album_artistid
222
ns_album_id
596
ns_album_releasedate
ns_genre_1
0
ns_genre_2
0
Album Status
Available
Artist Name
Our New Orleans
Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
CD+MP3
UPC
075597993424BUN
Label
Expanded Edition MP3
Price
13.00
UPC
075597918410
Label
Expanded Edition 2LP+MP3
Price
26.00
UPC
075597918380
Label
Expanded Edition FLAC
Price
14.00
UPC
075597918397

  • 79934

News & Reviews

  • Expanded Edition of 'Our New Orleans' Benefit Album, First Vinyl Release Out Now on Nonesuch Records

    A remastered, expanded edition of the 2005 benefit album Our New Orleans is available for the first time on vinyl and digitally now. The new version includes five previously unreleased tracks by Davell Crawford, Buckwheat Zydeco and Ry Cooder, Dr. Michael White, Dr. John, and The Wardell Quezergue Orchestra featuring Donald Harrison. To date, $1.5 million has been raised from the 2005 release to benefit the New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village.

    Read more
  • Expanded Edition of 'Our New Orleans' Benefit Album, First Vinyl Release Due January 29 on Nonesuch Records

    A remastered, expanded edition of the 2005 benefit album Our New Orleans will be released for the first time on vinyl on January 29, 2021. The two-LP set, also available then digitally, includes five previously unreleased tracks by Davell Crawford, Buckwheat Zydeco and Ry Cooder, Dr. Michael White, Dr. John, and The Wardell Quezergue Orchestra featuring Donald Harrison. A video of the late Dr. John recording the added track “Walking by the River” in 2005 can be seen here. To date, $1.5 million has been raised from the 2005 release to benefit the New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village.

    Read more
View All

  • About This Album

    In December 2005, Nonesuch released a benefit album of newly recorded songs featuring artists from the New Orleans music community—across a wide variety of styles—to document the depth, richness, and profound musicality of that unique city. Funds from the sale of the record, titled Our New Orleans, go to Habitat for Humanity to aid those affected by the recent Hurricane Katrina disaster. Several of New Orleans’ best-known musicians  contributed songs that are integral to their lives and that express their feelings about the city and the recent events there. The album was made swiftly and simply, over the course of a month, in several one-day sessions in cities across the country.

    Sessions began in New York in late September 2005 with Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Wild Magnolias (Doug Petty and Matt Sakakeeny, producers); Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Joe Henry, producer); and Jon Cleary and Dr. John (Hal Willner and Mark Bingham, producers). Buckwheat Zydeco recorded in Memphis on October 3 (Ry Cooder, producer); Randy Newman and others artists contributed tracks later in the month.

    Nonesuch’s parent company—Warner Bros. Records, part of the Warner Music Group—donated all of the production costs for Our New Orleans as part of the Group’s larger efforts on behalf of hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast. Many others involved in creating the album also generously donated their time and services.