This is a special New Orleans edition – today we are thrilled to be attending Trombone Shorty’s Voodoo Threauxdown at Chastain Amphitheater. It features Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews & Orleans Avenue (of course), Galactic, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and New Orleans legends Cyril Neville and blues guitar master Walter Wolfman Washington. Also upcoming this week are shows with Cory Wong and Adron. These artists and more are featured in this week’s playlist.
- Trombone Shorty – Tripped Out Slim: Shorty is a triple threat, trombone (naturally), trumpet, and voice and this tune off his most recent album “Parking Lot Symphony” is a funky tune to set the tone for the week. It’s especially appropriate as we’ll be partying in the parking lot in advance of the show.
- Galactic – Cineramascope (featuring Trombone Shorty and Corey Henry): Galactic is a perennial favorite of FunkCity.net and this tune from the “Ya-Ka-May” disc is appropriate transition as it features Shorty and Corey Henry, a frequent Galactic collaborator as well.
- Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Little Liza Jane: PHJB has been playing classic New Orleans music for more than 50 years and this tune is of course an all time classic.
- Walter Wolfman Washington – What A Diff’rence A Day Makes: This song is a classic going back more that 50 years and made famous by Dinah Washington in 1959 and then by Esther Phillips in 1975. Walter Wolfman Washington is a NOLA institution and we enjoy his take on this song showing his smoother, softer side.
- Galactic; Cyril Neville; Ivan Neville – Out In The Street: Another nice transition tune, bringing in Cyril Neville, who performed with The Meters and of course The Neville Brothers. We’ve also very much enjoyed seeing his band Royal Southern Brotherhood.
- Papa Grows Funk – Stanky: This NOLA edition makes us reminisce and be nostalgic for PGF which disbanded in 2013. It was the brainchild of John “Papa” Gros who’s still very active on the scene, as are his bandmates. The group had it’s own unique sound as evidenced by this classic tune from the “Mr Patterson’s Hat” album.
- Stanton Moore – The Beat (feat. Cyril Neville): Looping in and connecting Galactic’s drummer, Stanton Moore, one of the best in the business, with a roots and culture kinda tune featuring Cyril again on voice/vox.
- Trombone Shorty – Dirty Water: Just a nasty, soulful tune from Shorty.
- Stanton Moore – Here Come The Girls (feat. Cyril Neville & Trombone Shorty): Another merger of the full bill talent Stanton (Galactic), Cyril and Shorty – this tune really showcases the talent of this group and has a top flight beat, horn section and vocal line.
- Adron – Be Like the Sea: Adron will be having her album release party for “Water Music” on Thursday, August, 23rd at Terminal West Atlanta. She plays guitar in a style influenced by Brazilians like Luiz Bonfá and Caetano Veloso, writes songs in a style influenced by Americans like Harry Nilsson and Margo Guryan. This is a beautiful tune and we look forward to hearing the full disc soon.
- Galactic featuring David Shaw & Maggie Koerner – Hey Na Na: Another Galactic classic featuring David Shaw from The Revivalists and one of our favorite female vocalists Maggie, who was highlighted three weeks ago in our weekly playlist. Get up, get down, get funky!
- Preservation Hall Jazz Band – That Bucket’s Got A Hole In It – Bluesy, jazzy, tune – how can such sad stuff make you feel so good?
- New Breed Brass Band – Watcha Workin It Fa (feat. 5th Ward Weebie): Here’s a group that has won several new, emerging artist awards and we’re looking forward to hearing for the first time. From their website – “New Breed Brass Band lives and breathes the culture of New Orleans, infusing funk, rock, jazz, and hip-hop into a custom-made enhancement of second-line brass band tradition. New Breed Brass Band made its street debut as a nine-man unit in November 2013 at the Nine Times Second Line.”
- Cory Wong – The Optimist: Another album release show we’ll attend this week is Cory Wong, part of Vulfpeck, one of the most popular festival funk bands today. This is the title track of the new album. Nice tune reminiscent of “Good King Bad” or “Breezin'” era George Benson.
- Walter Wolfman Washington – Wolf Jazz: Aptly titled jazzy tune from Walter. This dude just has great range from pop to blues to jazz and always a good listen.
- Maceo Parker – Got To Get U: Well, not exactly NOLA sound but Maceo is always great to listen to or see. This tune just got to get you grooving from his classic 1992 release “Life on Planet Groove.”
- Trombone Shorty – Something Beautiful: One of the most recognizable Shorty tunes originally from Lenny Kravitz. Always love to hear this song and the audience singing along with it. A fitting way to close out the set.
Thanks and have a listen here –