| My neighbor, Tom Linney, is a longtime fan of Jazz - in particular, Ragtime and Dixieland. Knowing I am from New Orleans, he recently loaned me a book, Why New Orleans Matters, that he had checked out of the Alameda Public Library. Yes even with the internet, public libraries still exist. Written in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the region, the book celebrates the culture of New Orleans and why it is important that the city is rebuilt. |
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be "compact." Though it is only 167 pages, it mentions everything I could think of about New Orleans that makes the city unique. New Orleans is one of few cities (e.g., Paris, New York, San Francisco) that has its own mythology as embodied in its architecture, music, and cuisine.
Architecture
| As New Orleans oscillated between being controlled by the Spanish and French, buildings often side by side reflect one style or the other or sometimes both. New Orleans is called the Crescent City based on its shape as defined by the meandering Mississippi River. Parallel streets intersect at the ends which always makes providing directions for tourists a challenge. In doing so, residents never use North and South. It's always "towards the lake [Lake Ponchatrain]" or "towards the river." Oak trees and fragrant bushes line many of the streets. St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest church in America where Sunday mass is still celebrated weekly. |
Music
| New Orleans is regarded as the birthplace of Jazz. All types of music permeate events such as births, marriages, and even funerals - especially funerals which start out somber but eventually evolve into dance parties celebrating the life of the departed. Author Tom's discussion of music is certainly why neighbor Tom borrowed this book from the library. |
Perhaps you have heard or not heard of some of these (listed in the order they are mentioned in the book)?
| Artist | Songs |
|---|---|
| Louis Armstrong Hot Fives | "Struttin' with Some Barbecue," "Potato Head Blue," "Wild Man Blue," "Cornet Chop Suey," "West End Blues" |
| Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers | "Red Beans," "Low Gravy," "Black Bottom Stomp," "Dead Man Blues," "Kansas City Stomps," "Sidewalk Blues," "Grandpa's Spells" |
| King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band | |
| Fats Domino | "Blueberry Hill," "I'm In Love Again," "Ain't It A Shame," "Blue Monday," "Sentimental Journey" |
| Professor Longhair (Henry Roeland Byrd) | "Crawfish Fiesta," "Tipitina," "Go to the Mardi Gras" |
| Irma Thomas | "Time Is On My Side" |
| Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) | "Such A Night" |
| Kermitt Ruffins | |
| James Booker | "Black Night" |
| Young Tuxedo Brass Band | "Just A Closer Walk With Thee," "Flee as a Bird," "Old Rugged Cross" |
| Original Dixieland Jazz Band, New Orleans Rhythm Kings |
"Tiger Rag," "Sensation Rag," "Original Dixieland One-Step: |
| Oscar "Papa" Celestin's Tuxedo Orchestra | |
| Halfway House Orchestra | |
| New Orleans Owls | |
| Sam Morgan's Jazz Band | "Down by the Riverside," "Short-Dress Gal" |
| Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight | "Damp Weather" |
| Louis Dumaine's Jazzola Eight | "To-Wa-Bac-A-Wa" |
| Johnny Miller's New Orleans Frolickers | |
| Monk Hazel's Bienville Roof Orchestra | |
| A.J. Piron's Society Orchestra | |
| Johnny Dodd | "Perdido Street Blues" |
| Clarence Williams' Blue Five | "Cake Walking Babies from Home" |
| Mahalia Jackson | "Amazing Grace," "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" |
| Louis Prima | "Yes, We Have No Bananas" |
| Boswell Sisters | "That's How Rhythm Was Born" |
| Ray Charles | "Mess Around" |
| Little Richard | "Tuitti Fruitti," "Good Golly Miss Molly" |
| Allen Toussaint | "From a Whisper to a Scream" |
| Tuts Washington | "Tee Nah Nah" |
| Percy Mayfield | "Please Send Me Someone To Love" |
| Lloyd Price | "Stagger Lee" |
| Ernie K-Doe | "Mother-In-Law" |
| Lee Dorsey | "Ya Ya," "Working in a Coal Mine" |
| Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns | |
| The Meters | "Cissy Strut" |
| The Neville Brothers | "Fire on the Bayou" |
| Smiley Lewis | |
| Big Boy Myles | |
| Eddie Bo | |
| Sugar Boy Crawford, Dixie Cups |
"Iko-Iko" (originally called "Jock-a-Mo") |
| Snooks Eaglin | "Lipstick Traces," "Malaguena," "High Society" |
| Deacon John and the Ivories | |
| Clifton Chenier and his Zydeco Band | "Zydeco Sont Pas Sale," "Bon ton roulet" |
| Jerry Lee Lewis | |
| Buddy Bolden |
Events like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest celebrate New Orleans music in all its glory.
Cuisine
Where else in the world can you get an authentic muffuletta sandwich, a fried turkey po-boy sandwich, boiled crawfish, pan-roasted oysters, or Crawfish Monica (large fusilli pasta stuff with crawfish tails)? Nowhere. Although every city in America has an Italian, Chinese, or Mexican restaurant, Creole cooking just hasn't risen to the same popularity. Despite this, some restaurants have made great names for themselves like Antoine's, Brennan's, Commander's Palace, or Emeril's.
| When we travel to New Orleans, it is to visit family, but food would be second on the list. Although I grew up in New Orleans eating red beans and rice every Monday, I never knew what started the tradition. Apparently, fishermen work six days per week except for Mondays which were reserved for doing the laundry. Red beans simmer for hours - freeing up time to do the cleaning, ironing, and folding. |
Appreciating the Crescent City (from my city by the bay) is alive in the lab.
| Tom also loaned me Feet on the Street by Roy Blount Jr. I did not find it as enjoyable. The book gets its title from young hustlers who approach tourists and say "I betcha I can tell you where you got those shoes." When a tourist accepts the wager for $1, the reply is "On your feet. On the street. In New Orleans, Louisiana." |
New Orleans is alive in the lab.
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