Professor Longhair | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Justly worshipped a decade and a half after his death as a founding father of New Orleans R&B;, Roy "Professor Longhair" Byrd was nevertheless so down-and-out at one point in his long career that he was reduced to sweeping the floors in a record shop that once could have moved his platters by the boxful. That Longhair made such a marvelous comeback testifies to the resiliency of this late legend, whose Latin-tinged rhumba-rocking piano style and croaking, yodeling vocals were as singular and spicy as the second-line beats that power his hometowns musical heartbeat. Longhair brought an irresistible Caribbean feel to his playing, full of rolling flourishes that every Crescent City ivories man had to learn inside out (Fats Domino, Huey Smith, and Allen Toussaint all paid homage early and often). Longhair grew up on the streets of the Big Easy, tap dancing for tips on Bourbon Street with his running partners. Local 88s aces Sullivan Rock, Kid Stormy Weather, and Tuts Washington all left their marks on the youngster, but he brought his own conception to the stool. A natural-born card shark and gambler, Longhair began to take his playing seriously in 1948, earning a gig at the Caldonia Club. Owner Mike Tessitore bestowed Longhair with his professorial nickname (due to Byrds shaggy coiffure). Longhair debuted on wax in 1949, laying down four tracks (including the first version of his signature "Mardi Gras in New Orleans," complete with whistled intro) for the Dallas-based Star Talent label. His band was called the Shuffling Hungarians, for reasons lost to time! Union problems forced those sides off the market, but Longhairs next date for Mercury the same year was strictly on the up-and-up. It produced his first and only national R&B; hit in 1950, the hilarious "Bald Head" (credited to Roy Byrd & His Blues Jumpers). The pianist made great records for Atlantic in 1949, Federal in 1951, Wasco in 1952, and Atlantic again in 1953 (producing the immortal "Tipitina," a romping "In the Night," and the lyrically impenetrable boogie "Ball the Wall"). After recuperating from a minor stroke, Longhair came back on Lee Rupes Ebb logo in 1957 with a storming "No Buts - No Maybes." He revived his "Go to the Mardi Gras" for Joe Ruffinos Ron imprint in 1959; this is the version that surfaces every year at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Other than the ambitiously arranged "Big Chief" in 1964 for Watch Records, the 60s held little charm for Longhair. He hit the skids, abandoning his piano playing until a booking at the fledgling 1971 Jazz & Heritage Festival put him on the comeback trail. He made a slew of albums in the last decade of his life, topped off by a terrific set for Alligator, Crawfish Fiesta. Longhair triumphantly appeared on the PBS-TV concert series Soundstage (with Dr. John, Earl King, and the Meters), co-starred in the documentary Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together (which became a memorial tribute when Longhair died in the middle of its filming; funeral footage was included), and saw a group of his admirers buy a local watering hole in 1977 and rechristen it Tipitinas after his famous song. He played there regularly when he wasnt on the road; it remains a thriving operation. Longhair went to bed on January 30, 1980, and never woke up. A heart attack in the night stilled one of New Orleans seminal R&B; stars, but his music is played in his hometown so often and so reverently youd swear he was still around. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 22 Title: New Orleans Piano Released: 1972 Tracks: 16 Duration: 44:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 In the Night (02:32) 2 Tipitina (02:24) 3 Tipitina (02:39) 4 Ball the Wall (03:18) 5 Who’s Been Fooling You (02:11) 6 Hey Now Baby (02:57) 7 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:52) 8 She Walks Right In (03:09) 9 Hey Little Girl (03:02) 10 Willie Mae (02:48) 11 Walk Your Blues Away (02:56) 12 Professor Longhair Blues (02:28) 13 Boogie Woogie (02:40) 14 Longhair’s Blues-Rhumba (03:14) 15 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:52) 16 She Walks Right In (02:48) |
| New Orleans Piano : Allmusic album Review : All 16 of Professor Longhairs Atlantic sides from 1949 and 1953 (including a handful of alternate takes) are here on one glorious disc. Longhairs work for the label was famously marvelous -- this version of "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" reeks of revelry in the streets of the French Quarter, "She Walks Right In" and "Walk Your Blues Away" ride a bedrock boogie, and "In the Night" bounces atop a parade-beat shuffle groove and hard-charging saxes. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 22 Title: Rock ’n’ Roll Gumbo Released: 1974 Tracks: 14 Duration: 47:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Hey Now Baby (03:37) 2 Junco Partner (03:29) 3 Meet Me Tomorrow Night (03:17) 4 Doin’ It (04:05) 5 How Long Has That Train Been Gone (03:30) 6 Mean Ol’ World (03:35) 7 Rockin’ Pneumonia (02:43) 8 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:56) 9 Jambalaya (03:11) 10 Tipitina (03:36) 11 Mess Around (02:38) 12 Stag‐O‐Lee (02:57) 13 Rum and Coke (03:12) 14 (They Call Me) Dr. Professor Longhair (04:17) |
| Rock ’n’ Roll Gumbo : Allmusic album Review : Recorded in 1974, this album almost never saw the light of day. Fortunately, the master tapes were found and the album was released posthumously. Professor Longhair was a giant in the New Orleans music community, but had not recorded in over ten years when he was convinced to start playing again. From the opening riffs, one can understand the stature of Professor Longhair as a great pianist -- he demonstrates that he is equally at home playing rhumba boogie, blues songs, and calypso. He plays New Orleans standards (many penned by himself), but what makes this recording a classic is the chance to hear him play with guitarist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. The interplay of these music veterans is mesmerizing. The piano playing is breathtaking, and has a percussive quality unlike any other player before or since. It is hard to believe that Professor Longhair languished in obscurity for so many years after hearing the jubilance of "Mardi Gras in New Orleans," a song that will have you tapping your feet and hands as if you were in the parade. This album is essential for fans of New Orleans music and those aspiring to be rock & roll pianists. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 22 Title: Live on the Queen Mary Released: 1978 Tracks: 9 Duration: 34:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tell Me Pretty Baby (03:55) 2 Mess Around (04:02) 3 Every Day I Have the Blues (05:42) 4 Tipitina (03:49) 5 Im Movin On (03:42) 6 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:55) 7 Cry to Me (02:43) 8 Gone So Long (04:27) 9 Stagger Lee (03:03) |
| Live on the Queen Mary : Allmusic album Review : Ask what was Paul and Linda McCartneys most important contribution to music, and you just might get the answer -- this album, which is also more exciting than anything Wings ever did. Professor Longhairs first live recording came about at a March 24, 1975 party hosted by the McCartneys aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. It captures some of the excitement that Ahmet Ertegun and several lesser-known talent scouts found when they came upon Harry Roeland Byrd playing road houses around New Orleans in the late 1940s. Highlights include the rollicking "Mess Around," and the standards "Stagger Lee," "Everyday I Have the Blues," "Im Movin On," and his hits "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" and "Tipitina." The lack of instrumental credits prevents one from praising the lead guitarist by name for his playing on "Everyday I Have the Blues" and "Im Movin On," but he and the rest of the band still do well backing this legend. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 22 Title: Crawfish Fiesta Released: 1980 Tracks: 12 Duration: 42:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Big Chief (03:16) 2 Her Mind Is Gone (04:24) 3 Something on Your Mind (04:13) 4 Youre Driving Me Crazy (02:37) 5 Red Beans (04:12) 6 Willie Fugals Blues (02:07) 7 Its My Fault, Darling (04:55) 8 In the Wee Wee Hours (03:24) 9 Cry to Me (03:38) 10 Bald Head (03:01) 11 Whole Lotta Loving (03:48) 12 Crawfish Fiesta (03:11) |
| Crawfish Fiesta : Allmusic album Review : Probably the best of all the many albums Longhair waxed during his comeback. A tremendously tight combo featuring three horns and Dr. John on guitar delightfully back the Professor every step of the way as he recasts Solomon Burkes "Cry to Me" and Fats Dominos "Whole Lotta Loving" in his own indelible image and roars, yodels, and whistles out wonderful remakes of his own oldies "Big Chief" and "Bald Head." | ||
 | Album: 5 of 22 Title: Mardi Gras in New Orleans: 1949-1957 Released: 1981 Tracks: 16 Duration: 40:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bye Bye Baby (02:29) 2 She Aint Got No Hair (02:49) 3 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:26) 4 Professor Longhairs Boogie (02:20) 5 Her Mind Is Gone (02:37) 6 Hadacol Bounce (03:00) 7 Oh Well (02:25) 8 Rockin With Fes (02:05) 9 Curly Haired Baby (02:49) 10 Gone So Long (02:32) 11 East St. Louis Baby (02:44) 12 Boyds Bounce (02:48) 13 Tipitina (02:40) 14 No Buts No Maybes (02:12) 15 Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (02:13) 16 Misery (02:01) |
| Mardi Gras in New Orleans: 1949-1957 : Allmusic album Review : Plenty of rarities are featured on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, making it a valuable cross-section of Professor Longhairs early releases. Both sides of the pianists first two 78s for Star Talent Records are aboard, as well as sides he cut for Mercury, Federal ("Curly Haired Baby," "Gone So Long"), Wasco ("East St. Louis Baby"), Atlantic, and Ebb. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 22 Title: House Party New Orleans Style: The Lost Sessions 1971-1972 Released: 1987 Tracks: 15 Duration: 52:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 No Buts and No Maybes (02:13) 2 Gone So Long (04:40) 3 She Walk Right In (02:56) 4 Thank You Pretty Baby (03:57) 5 501 Boogie (02:16) 6 Tipitina (04:25) 7 Gonna Leave This Town (02:44) 8 Cabbagehead (03:52) 9 Hey Little Girl (03:54) 10 Big Chief (03:18) 11 Cherry Pie (04:25) 12 Junco Partner (03:04) 13 Every Day I Have the Blues (04:23) 14 G Jam (02:18) 15 Dr. Professor Longhair (04:27) |
| House Party New Orleans Style: The Lost Sessions 1971-1972 : Allmusic album Review : Boiling blues and trademark African-Latin and boogie-woogie riffs were the menu when Professor Longhair brought his Crescent City music show to Baton Rouge and Memphis in 1971 and 1972, respectively. The 15 numbers on House Party New Orleans Style matched the great pianist with an esteemed array of musicians who included outstanding guitarist Snooks Eaglin on both sessions, and fine rhythm sections as well. Eaglins flashy, inventive solos were excellent contrasts to Longhairs rippling keyboard flurries and distinctive mix of yodels, yells, cries and shouts. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 22 Title: Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge Released: 1991-11-19 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:04:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:56) 2 Jambalaya (02:11) 3 Since I Met You Baby (05:10) 4 Her Mind Is Gone (04:27) 5 Cry to Me (03:54) 6 Meet Me Tomorrow Night (02:56) 7 She Aint Got No Hair (03:11) 8 Tipitina (03:22) 9 Fats Domino Medley (04:01) 10 Mean Old World (02:40) 11 Sick and Tired (03:14) 12 Hey Now Baby (05:00) 13 There Is Something on Your Mind (02:49) 14 Doin It (03:55) 15 Rum and Coca-Cola (03:03) 16 Whole Lotta Loving (02:46) 17 Gone So Long (05:13) 18 How Long Has That Train Been Gone (03:41) |
| Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge : Allmusic album Review : Some of the earliest sides from Longhairs rediscovery period (1971-72), featuring a lot of tunes inexorably associated with him through previous versions and a few ("Jambalaya," "Sick and Tired") that werent. An added bonus is the magical presence of guitarist Snooks Eaglin, whose approach is every bit as singular as the Professors was. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 22 Title: Big Chief Released: 1993-11 Tracks: 14 Duration: 56:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Big Chief (03:53) 2 Hey Little Girl (03:09) 3 How Long Has That Train Been Gone (03:49) 4 Im Movin On (04:09) 5 Mess Around (03:32) 6 Medley: She Walks Right In / Shake, Ratle & Roll / Sick and Tired (06:45) 7 Tipitina (03:58) 8 Little Blues (01:39) 9 Her Mind Is Gone (04:34) 10 Stagger Lee (05:04) 11 Ive Got My Mojo Working (04:42) 12 Rum & Coca-Cola (02:03) 13 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:54) 14 Doin It (06:01) |
 | Album: 9 of 22 Title: Fess: The Professor Longhair Anthology Released: 1993-11-16 Tracks: 40 Duration: 2:11:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bald Head (02:30) 2 Hadacol Bounce (03:04) 3 Tipitina (02:39) 4 In the Night (02:32) 5 Ball the Wall (03:18) 6 Who’s Been Fooling You (02:11) 7 Hey Now Baby (02:57) 8 Hey Little Girl (03:03) 9 Walk Your Blues Away (02:57) 10 She Walks Right In (02:51) 11 Willie Mae (02:49) 12 Professor Longhair Blues (02:30) 13 Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand (02:14) 14 No Buts - No Maybes (02:09) 15 Misery (02:00) 16 Looka, No Hair (02:07) 17 Cuttin Out (02:38) 18 Go to the Mardi Gras (02:48) 19 There Is Something on Your Mind (03:06) 20 Big Chief (Part 2) (02:34) 21 Hey Little Girl (live) (03:17) 22 Hey Now Baby (live) (04:11) 1 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:56) 2 Junco Partner (03:29) 3 How Long Has That Train Been Gone (03:30) 4 Stag‐O‐Lee (02:57) 5 Meet Me Tomorrow Night (03:17) 6 (They Call Me) Dr. Professor Longhair (04:17) 7 Mess Around (02:38) 8 Cry to Me (03:35) 9 Whole Lotta Loving (03:48) 10 Everyday (I Have the Blues) (07:18) 11 Got My Mojo Working (04:46) 12 Thank You Pretty Baby (03:56) 13 Sick and Tired (03:14) 14 Mean Old World (02:40) 15 Tipitina (live) (03:35) 16 Big Chief (live) (07:52) 17 Rum & Coca-Cola (version two) (02:28) 18 Boogie Woogie (04:33) |
| 'Fess: The Professor Longhair Anthology : Allmusic album Review : The rhumba-rocking rhythms of Roy "Professor Longhair" Byrd live on throughout Rhinos 40-track retrospective of the New Orleans icons amazing legacy. Most of the seminal stuff arrives early on: "Bald Head," the rollicking ode cut for Mercury in 1950, is followed by a raft of classics from his 1949 and 1953 Atlantic dates ("Tipitina," "Ball the Wall," "Whos Been Fooling You"), the storming 1957 "No Buts, No Maybes," and "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand" for Ebb, and his beloved "Go to the Mardi Gras" as waxed for Ron in 1959. The second disc is a hodgepodge of material from the Professors 70s comeback, all of it wonderful in its own way but not as essential as the early work. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 22 Title: The London Concert Released: 1996 Tracks: 14 Duration: 45:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mess Around (04:29) 2 Hey Now Baby (04:07) 3 Whole Lot of Loving (02:47) 4 Go to the Mardi Gras (02:52) 5 Baldhead (03:11) 6 Tipitina (03:52) 7 Big Chief (03:32) 8 Everyday I Have the Blues (03:56) 9 Hey Little Girl (03:18) 10 Lovely Lady (02:53) 11 Medley: She Walked Right In / Shake Rattle & Roll / Sick & Tired (03:26) 12 Rockin Pneumonia (01:16) 13 Rockin With Fess (02:45) 14 P.I. Boogie (02:54) |
| The London Concert : Allmusic album Review : Henry Roeland Byrd (Professor Longhair, or just Fess, to his fans, admirers and friends) distilled and synthesized New Orleans R&B; piano playing to a fine art, mixing Caribbean rhumba rhythms with stride style and even a hint of Dixieland in his approach, topping it all off with seemingly effortless vocals that made everything he sang feel like a rockin party was in full swing. Fess first recorded in 1949, and sides like "Big Chief," "Go to the Mardi Gras," and "Tipitina" became Crescent City classics in the 1950s and early 60s, but unfortunately he never saw the kind of commercial success that other New Orleans piano players like Fats Domino were able to achieve. Longhairs influence and presence in New Orleans was immense, though, and when he was "rediscovered" in 1971, it was really kind of a joke since he had been the heart and soul of the R&B; scene there for years. In 1978, John Stedman of JSP Records brought Longhair to London for a concert at the New London Theatre, a venue with great acoustics, and accompanied only by his conga player Alfred Roberts and playing a top of the line grand piano, Fess delivered the impressive, energetic, and intimate set that is presented here in this 30th Anniversary CD reissue. Its a typically fun Professor Longhair show with great sound as he runs through "Big Chief," "Tipitina," "Go to the Mardi Gras" (complete with a whistled vocal solo), "Hey Now Baby" and other touchstones with warmth, vitality, and verve with Roberts locked in at every note and turn. Longhair did hundreds of performances just like this in countless New Orleans joints and clubs, but to hear him so well recorded is nothing short of a welcome blessing. Longtime fans simply have to get this set, and those new to Fess will undoubtedly find that this album works like a gateway to the work of an amazing and one of a kind musician. Highly recommended. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 22 Title: Fess Gumbo Released: 1996-10-01 Tracks: 14 Duration: 47:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mess Around (04:05) 2 Interview #1 (01:34) 3 Doin It (03:48) 4 Tipitina (03:32) 5 Interview #2 (01:44) 6 Got My Mojo Working (04:06) 7 Hey Now Baby (04:13) 8 Interview #3 (00:57) 9 Big Chief (03:59) 10 Whole Lotta Loving (03:06) 11 Interview #4 (03:43) 12 Her Mind Is Gone (03:37) 13 Interview #5 (04:27) 14 How Long Has That Train Been Gone (04:41) |
| Fess' Gumbo : Allmusic album Review : Fess Gumbo is kind of an odd duck, a 1980 session originally recorded for Canadian radio and claimed here as Professor Longhairs last-ever recording session. It mixes interview segments with just his piano tracks alone, although some (maybe even all) were recorded with his band playing along but with the tape only rolling on the keyboard. (You can very faintly hear horns and snatches of singing bleed into the mics on a few tracks). Obviously the objective was to focus on his piano style and you can hear it clearly, but since Longhair was always a featured artist, his playing was never exactly buried on his other recordings. The other thing is that he was always a bandman who played parts and improvised during set solo passages. "Whole Lotta Loving" locks into the riffs but it lacks the sort of fancy filigrees and embellishments that a true solo player -- James Booker and Dr. John, to cite two Longhair disciples -- would casually toss off and into their improvisations. Naturally, "Tipitina" is wonderful, since that song could go on forever and never get boring, but while the playing gets more interesting on the later pieces, the piano work is actually kind of mild-mannered here. The interview segments are fairly stock but informative enough, be it detailing family history and early musical roots, the genesis of his name, or his rediscovery during the 70s that broadly hints at his card shark survival technique to provide for his family during the hard times. Fess Gumbo accomplishes its objective well enough, but theres no bombshell revelation or anything to warrant choosing this disc over most of his regular recordings with his band. If youre looking to get real deep into Professor Longhairs technique and want revelation, find Stevenson J. Palfis video Piano Players Rarely Play Together. That invaluable documentary of Longhair, Tuts Washington, and Allen Toussaint has priceless footage of Fess explaining his style and ripping through some trademark licks with a nonchalant ease thats absolutely mind-boggling. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 22 Title: byrd lives! Released: 1998 Tracks: 27 Duration: 2:00:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Doin It (04:51) 2 Mess Around (04:56) 3 Mardi Gras In New Orleans (03:33) 4 Gone So Long (04:56) 5 Whole Lotta Lovin (05:22) 6 Everyday I Have The Blues (07:40) 7 Hey Little Girl (05:03) 8 How Long Has That Train Been Gone (04:41) 9 Fesss Boogie (03:22) 10 Rum And Coca Cola (02:35) 11 Got My Mojo Workin (04:19) 12 Bald Head ( She Aint Got No Hair) (03:43) 13 Go Ahead And Cry (05:03) 1 Jambalaya (05:48) 2 Her Mind Is Gone (04:37) 3 Tipitina (04:57) 4 Junco Partner (04:18) 5 Big Chief (04:22) 6 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (03:17) 7 Hey Now Baby (02:46) 8 Im Moving On (03:30) 9 Lucille (03:30) 10 Its My Own Fault (04:47) 11 In The Night (02:30) 12 Doin It (04:04) 13 (Got My) Mojo Workin (05:15) 14 Stanleys Jam (06:09) |
 | Album: 13 of 22 Title: Blues & Rhythm Series: The Chronological Professor Longhair 1949 Released: 2001 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:06:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 She Aint Got No Hair (02:49) 2 Bye Bye Baby (02:30) 3 Professor Longhairs Boogie (02:18) 4 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:24) 5 Byrds Blues (02:45) 6 Her Mind Is Gone (02:37) 7 Bald Head (02:29) 8 Hey Now Baby (02:46) 9 Oh Well (02:25) 10 Hadacol Bounce (02:59) 11 Longhair Stomp (02:43) 12 Been Foolin Around (02:58) 13 Between the Night and Day (02:42) 14 Hey Now Baby (02:56) 15 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:55) 16 She Walks Right In (03:09) 17 Hey Little Girl (03:02) 18 Willie Mae (02:48) 19 Walk Your Blues Away (02:56) 20 Professor Longhair Blues (02:28) 21 Boogie Woogie (02:40) 22 Longhairs Blues-Rhumba (03:13) 23 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:52) 24 She Walks Right In (02:49) |
 | Album: 14 of 22 Title: Big Easy Strut: The Essential Professor Longhair Released: 2002 Tracks: 14 Duration: 56:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tipitana (03:27) 2 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:56) 3 Jambalaya (On the Bayou) (03:54) 4 How Long Has the Train Been Gone (05:32) 5 Hey Now Baby (05:44) 6 Junko Partner (04:09) 7 Tell Me Pretty Baby (03:57) 8 Im Movin On (03:36) 9 Stagger Lee (02:59) 10 Big Chief (04:14) 11 501 Boogie (03:24) 12 Stompin with Fess (04:51) 13 Hey Little Girl (03:16) 14 Bald Head (04:43) |
| Big Easy Strut: The Essential Professor Longhair : Allmusic album Review : For starters, the subtitle "The Essential Professor Longhair" is more than a little misleading. This set is a presentation of the great Roy Byrd, performing at a northside Chicago club called Biddy Mulligans in December of 1979, shortly before his death. While it is far from the "essential" Professor Longhair, this is a smoking live date that fans will no doubt want to own. With the exception of "I Got My Mojo Working," most of his concert staples are in this mix and the sound quality is right up there. This is not the place to start with the Professor -- perhaps New Orleans Piano on Atlantic is the one for that. Nonetheless, for those who dig New Orleans music at its rawest, and Longhair in tear-it-up mode, Big Easy Strut is a nice one to have on the shelf. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 22 Title: A Proper Introduction to Professor Longhair: Mardi Gras in New Orleans Released: 2004-04-05 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:05:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Byrd’s Blues (02:51) 2 Her Mind Is Gone (02:43) 3 Bald Head (02:35) 4 Hey Now Baby (02:53) 5 Oh Well (02:31) 6 Hadacol Bounce (03:01) 7 Longhair Stomp (02:45) 8 Been Foolin’ Around (03:00) 9 Between the Night & Day (02:49) 10 Hey Now Baby Prf (02:59) 11 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:56) 12 She Walks Right In (02:50) 13 Hey Little Girl (03:06) 14 Willie Mae (02:52) 15 Walk Your Blues Away (02:59) 16 Professor Longhair Blues (02:28) 17 Boogie Woogie (02:44) 18 Longhair’s Blues Rhumba (03:22) 19 She Walks Right In (02:51) 20 In the Night (02:36) 21 Tipitina (02:42) 22 Ball the Wall (03:23) 23 Who’s Been Fooling You (02:11) |
 | Album: 16 of 22 Title: Roy Brown and New Orleans R&B Released: 2005 Tracks: 101 Duration: 4:40:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Deep Sea Diver (02:58) 2 Bye Baby Bye (02:29) 3 Good Rockin’ Tonight (02:59) 4 Lolly Pop Mama (02:22) 5 Special Lesson No.1 (02:53) 6 Womans a Wonderful Thing (03:04) 7 Mighty Mighty Man (02:28) 8 Miss Fanny Brown (02:47) 9 Whose Hat Is That (02:27) 10 Long Bout Midnight (03:06) 11 Fore Day in the Morning (02:57) 12 Rainy Weather Blues (02:20) 13 Miss Fanny Brown Returns (02:36) 14 Roy Brown Boogie (03:00) 15 Judgement Day Blues (03:00) 16 Rockin at Midnight (02:44) 17 Please Dont Go (Come Back, Baby) (02:43) 18 Riding High (02:40) 19 Boogie at Midnight (02:52) 20 The Blues Got Me Again (02:59) 21 I Feel That Young Mans Rhythm (02:54) 22 End of My Journey (02:49) 23 Cadillac Baby (02:57) 24 Hard Luck Blues (03:01) 25 Butcher Pete, Part 1 (02:30) 1 Butcher Pete, Part 2 (02:41) 2 New Rebecca (02:52) 3 Sweet Peach (02:59) 4 Love Dont Love Nobody (02:43) 5 Dreaming Blues (03:06) 6 Good Man Blues (03:14) 7 Too Much Loving Aint Good (02:45) 8 Teenage Jamboree (03:02) 9 Train Time Blues (02:48) 10 Bar Room Blues (03:04) 11 Long About Sundown (02:59) 12 Beautician Blues (02:38) 13 Double Crossin Woman (02:59) 14 Wrong Woman Blues (03:08) 15 Good Rockin Man (03:02) 16 Ive Got the Last Laugh Now (02:56) 17 Big Town (02:55) 18 Brown Angel (02:55) 19 Rock‐A‐Bye Baby (02:36) 20 Lonesome Lover (02:59) 21 Answer to Big Town (02:42) 22 Money Cant Buy Love (02:27) 23 Travelin Man (03:06) 24 Hurry Hurry Baby (02:35) 25 Midnight Lover Man (02:38) 1 Stardust (02:37) 2 Shes Got Great Big Eyes (02:57) 3 Daves Boogie Woogie (02:54) 4 Bum Mae (02:34) 5 Mr Fool (02:56) 6 Country Boy (03:00) 7 High Society Blues (02:45) 8 Girl Town Blues (03:02) 9 Carnival Day (02:47) 10 Thats How You Got Killed Before (02:33) 11 Messy Bessie (02:24) 12 Going to Chow (02:42) 13 Poppa Stoppa Theme Song (01:58) 14 Aint Gonna Do It (02:35) 15 Country Boy Goes Home (02:40) 16 Ah Cubanas (02:37) 17 Frantic Chick (02:18) 18 Good Jax Boogie (02:44) 19 Tijim (02:37) 20 In the Alley (02:46) 21 Sweet Home Blues (02:38) 22 Bad Habit (02:52) 23 Twins (02:54) 24 The Golden Rule (03:05) 25 High Flying Woman (02:39) 1 Byrds Blues (02:46) 2 Her Mind Is Gone (02:37) 3 Bald Head (02:29) 4 Hey Now Baby (02:47) 5 Oh Well (02:25) 6 Hadacol Bounce (02:59) 7 Longhair Stomp (02:44) 8 Been Foolin Around (02:59) 9 Between Midnight and Day (02:43) 10 She Aint Got No Hair (02:49) 11 Bye Bye Baby (02:30) 12 Professor Longhairs Boogie (02:18) 13 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:25) 14 Hey Now Baby (02:56) 15 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:55) 16 She Walks Right In (03:09) 17 Hey Little Girl (03:03) 18 Willie Mae (02:49) 19 Walk Your Blues Away (02:57) 20 Professor Longhair Blues (02:29) 21 East St. Louis Baby (02:48) 22 Boyds Bounce (02:51) 23 In the Night (02:33) 24 Tipitina (02:40) 25 Ball the Wall (03:20) 26 Whos Been Fooling You (02:11) |
 | Album: 17 of 22 Title: Tipitina Released: 2008 Tracks: 46 Duration: 2:01:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 She Aint Got No Hair (02:48) 2 Bye Bye Baby (02:29) 3 Professr Longhairs Boogie (02:21) 4 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:26) 5 Hey Now Baby (02:58) 6 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:57) 7 She Walks Right In (03:11) 8 Hey Little Girl (03:04) 9 Willie Mae (02:51) 10 Walk Your Blues Away (02:59) 11 Professor Longhair Blues (02:31) 12 Boogie Woogie (02:43) 13 Longhair’s Blues Rhumba (03:15) 14 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:55) 15 She Walks Right In (02:51) 16 Byrds Blues (02:47) 17 Her Mind Is Gone (02:36) 18 Bald Head (02:29) 19 Hey Now Baby (02:49) 20 Oh Well (02:26) 21 Hadacol Bounce (02:59) 22 Longhair Stomp (02:46) 23 Been Foolin Around (03:01) 24 Between the Night and Day (02:42) 1 East St. Louis Baby (Wasco 201) (02:45) 2 Boyds Bounce (Wasco 201) (02:46) 3 K.C. Blues (Federat 12061) (02:47) 4 Curley Haired Baby (Federat 12061) (02:48) 5 Rockin With Fess (Federat 12073) (02:02) 6 Gone So Long (Federat 12073) (02:33) 7 In the Night (Atlantic 1020) (02:33) 8 Tipitina (Atlantic 1020) (02:25) 9 Ball the Wall (Atlantic) (03:19) 10 Whos Been Foolin You (Atlantic) (02:12) 11 No Buts - No Maybes (Ebb 101) (02:11) 12 Cry Pretty Baby (Ebb 101) (02:20) 13 Look What Youre Doin to Me (Ebb 106) (02:31) 14 Misery (Ebb 106) (02:01) 15 Looka No Hair (Ebb 121) (02:08) 16 Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (Ebb 121) (02:09) 17 Her Mind Is Gone (Mercury) (02:53) 18 Hadacol Bounce (Mercury) (02:55) 19 Longhaur Stomp (Mercury) (02:42) 20 Between the Night and Day (Mercury) (02:39) 21 Tipitina (Atlantic) (02:41) 22 Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (Ebb) (01:41) |
 | Album: 18 of 22 Title: The Primo Collection Released: 2009 Tracks: 35 Duration: 1:32:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Looka, No Hair (02:06) 2 No Buts - No Maybes (02:09) 3 Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (02:08) 4 Cry Pretty Baby (02:18) 5 Look What You’re Doing to Me (02:28) 6 Misery (02:00) 7 Tipitina (02:39) 8 Ball the Wall (03:18) 9 Who’s Been Fooling You (02:11) 10 In the Night (02:32) 11 Gone So Long (02:32) 12 Curley Haired Baby (02:46) 13 Rockin’ With Fess (02:00) 14 K.C. Blues (02:44) 15 Boyd’s Bounce (02:46) 16 East St. Louis Baby (02:44) 17 Been Foolin’ Around (03:00) 18 Between the Night and Day (02:42) 1 Longhair Stomp (02:45) 2 Hadacol Bounce (03:01) 3 Byrd’s Blues (02:47) 4 Her Mind Is Gone (02:38) 5 Bald Head (02:30) 6 Hey Now Baby (02:48) 7 Oh Well (02:26) 8 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:52) 9 She Walks Right In (02:50) 10 Hey Little Girl (03:01) 11 Willie Mae (02:47) 12 Professor Longhair Blues (02:28) 13 Walk Your Blues Away (02:56) 14 Boogie Woogie (02:40) 15 Longhair’s Blues Rhumba (03:15) 16 She Ain’t Go No Hair (02:48) 17 Bye Bye Baby (02:29) |
| The Primo Collection : Allmusic album Review : Singer/pianist Professor Longhair is the godfather of New Orleans R&B; his early recordings defined the style, setting the pace not just for pianists from James Booker to Dr. John, but for countless Crescent City soul/blues singers. Over the course of its two discs, THE PRIMO COLLECTION offers some of Longhairs most iconic tunes, the ones that cemented his legend, like the wailing, rollicking "Tipitina," and the funky "Hadacol Bounce." Second-line rhythms and pure blues piano licks melded like never before in Longhairs music, and you can hear it all happen right here. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 22 Title: Mojo Gumbo Released: 2010-08-31 Tracks: 12 Duration: 44:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:22) 2 Bye Bye Baby (02:43) 3 Professor Longhairs Boogie (02:28) 4 She Aint Got No Hair (02:45) 5 Big Chief (03:42) 6 The Banana Boat Song (03:38) 7 Tipitina (03:36) 8 Doin It (04:37) 9 Her Mind Is Gone (03:40) 10 How Long Has That Train Been Gone (04:19) 11 Bald Head (04:45) 12 Messing Around (05:23) |
 | Album: 20 of 22 Title: Longhair Boogie Released: 2011 Tracks: 31 Duration: 1:19:34 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:52) 2 Every Day, Every Night (02:20) 3 Looka, No Hair (02:07) 4 K.C. Blues (02:44) 5 Professor Longhair Blues (02:28) 6 She Walks Right In (02:48) 7 Look What Youre Doing to Me (02:30) 8 Walk Your Blues Away (02:56) 9 Misery (02:00) 10 Oh Well (02:26) 11 Cuttin Out (02:38) 12 Her Mind Is Gone (02:36) 13 Boyds Bounce (Wasco 201) (02:46) 14 Hey Now Baby (02:48) 15 Gone So Long (Federat 12073) (02:33) 16 Bye Bye Baby (02:29) 1 Rockin With Fess (Federat 12073) (02:02) 2 Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (Ebb 121) (02:09) 3 In the Night (02:32) 4 Tipitina (02:24) 5 Willie Mae (02:48) 6 No Buts, No Maybes (02:11) 7 Cry Pretty Baby (Ebb 101) (02:20) 8 Hey Little Girl (03:02) 9 Go to the Mardi Gras (02:48) 10 She Aint Got No Hair (02:48) 11 Bald Head (02:29) 12 Curley Haired Baby (Federat 12061) (02:48) 13 Hadacol Bounce (02:59) 14 East St. Louis Baby (Wasco 201) (02:45) 15 Professr Longhairs Boogie (02:21) |
 | Album: 21 of 22 Title: No Buts, No Maybes Released: 2011 Tracks: 28 Duration: 1:12:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rockin With Fess (02:02) 2 In the Night (02:33) 3 Look What Youre Doin to Me (02:31) 4 No Buts, No Maybes (02:11) 5 Looka No Hair (02:08) 6 Ball the Wall (03:19) 7 Tipitina (02:25) 8 Between the Night and Day (02:43) 9 Misery (02:01) 10 Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (02:10) 11 Mardi Gras in New Orleans (02:54) 12 Hey Now Baby (02:47) 13 Her Mind Is Gone (02:53) 14 She Walks Right In (02:51) 15 Oh Well (02:26) 16 East St. Louis Baby (02:46) 17 Hadacol Bounce (02:56) 18 Gone So Long (02:34) 19 Curley Haired Baby (02:48) 20 Bald Head (02:30) 21 Been Foolin Around (02:59) 22 Between the Night and Day (alternate take) (02:38) 23 Her Mind Is Gone (02:38) 24 Boogie Woogie (02:41) 25 Whos Been Foolin You (02:12) 26 Hey Now Baby (02:57) 27 Walk Your Blues Away (02:57) 28 Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (alternate take) (01:42) |
 | Album: 22 of 22 Title: The Last Mardi Gras Released: 2014 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:26:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Big Chief (04:11) 2 Jambalaya (04:41) 3 Mess Around (03:52) 4 Cry to Me (04:01) 5 Rum & Coca Cola (02:36) 6 Got My Mojo Working (05:02) 7 Everyday I Have the Blues (07:18) 8 Doin It (05:09) 9 Gone So Long (05:12) 1 She Walks Right In/Shake, Rattle & Roll (07:21) 2 Hey Now Baby (04:53) 3 Bald Head (04:48) 4 Stag-O-Lee (05:09) 5 Tipitina (04:51) 6 Her Mind Is Gone (04:54) 7 How Long Has That Train Been Gone (05:48) 8 Boogie Woogie (instrumental) (03:38) 9 Carnival in New Orleans (02:57) |
| The Last Mardi Gras : Allmusic album Review : Henry Roeland Byrd (Professor Longhair, or just Fess, to his fans, admirers, and friends) distilled and synthesized New Orleans R&B; piano playing to a fine art, mixing Caribbean rhumba rhythms with stride style and even a hint of Dixieland in his approach, topping it all off with seemingly effortless vocals that made everything he sang feel like a rockin party was in full swing. Fess first recorded in 1949, and sides like "Big Chief," "Go to the Mardi Gras," and "Tipitina" became Crescent City classics in the 1950s and early 60s, but unfortunately he never saw the kind of commercial success that other New Orleans piano players like Fats Domino were able to achieve, which was truly a shame. He was, simply put, a national treasure, and somehow Albert Goldman, then music critic for Esquire, convinced Atlantic Records to send a 16-track mobile recording unit to New Orleans in 1978 during Mardi Gras and record two nights of Longhair playing at the Tipitina Club, his last Mardi Gras performance, as it turned out, coming just under two years before his death. The result was arguably the best performance recording of Longhair ever captured. Fess was known to do the same songs every album, every set, every time he played, it seemed, although his verve, style, and showmanship really made this an irrelevant fact, and in a town known for rollicking piano players, he was always the gold standard. With Fess and a piano, you had yourself a party. Thats captured here in Professor Longhairs ultimately bittersweet but still wild and fun final Mardi Gras shows. This is what he did, folks, and no one represented New Orleans better. | ||