Behind the Levee

The Subdudes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 24, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Back Porch
• ASIN: B000CS45HY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,307 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Between the recording and the release of this album, the devastation of Katrina transformed the Subdudes' native New Orleans. So perhaps this could have been titled Before the Flood, with the band's musical equivalent of Crescent City comfort food reminding us of better times (and providing hope for better times to come). The band's sonic signature combines the soulful vocals of Tommy Malone, the call-and-response harmonies of his bandmates, and the spare accordion accompaniment of John Magnie. As produced by bluesman Keb' Mo', the band's second album since its reunion renders the rhythm section almost subliminal, thus spotlighting the buoyant melodies and the vocal dynamics more than the groove. Among the highlights here, "Papa Dukie and the Mud People" celebrates the commotion that results when a hippie tribe pitches riverside camp in small-town Louisiana, "Looking at You" features a funky duet with Rosie Ledet, and "One Word" lifts the spirit like a secular hymn, with Malone's buttery tenor sounding like a bayou Michael McDonald. The gorgeous balladry of "Time for the Sun to Rise" and the closing redemption of "Prayer of Love" provide the sort of transcendental healing that music can offer the most musical of American cities. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm hooked! See them live if you can!, March 30, 2006

By 

scolvig (Humboldt County, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Behind the Levee (Audio CD)

This has been my daughter's favorite band for years, and I've had 2 of their Cd's, which I've always enjoyed. Last night I got to see them live for the first time. I live near Eureka, Ca. The audience was pretty small; I don't think these extremely talented gentlemen get the exposure they deserve, and the show was barely advertised around here. But that made for a very intimate concert, and everyone there absolutely loved it. It was very easy to meet them after the show, and what a fantastic bunch of guys. They played most of the tracts from Behind the Levee, their newest. There is just so much feeling and joy in their music. I bought 2 of the Cd's, and tonight got to listen to it in entirety. Every track is wonderful, so I don't have a favorite. There is so much variety in this CD.I especially loved the funky soul sounds. I just know it makes me smile and cry and dance. So I'm ordering another now. Love is a beautiful thing! Peace!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Levee Live, January 27, 2006

By 

Still Alive and Kicking (Bay View, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Behind the Levee (Audio CD)

I saw them last night here in Milwaukee, in support of this CD. I believe they played every song from "Behind the Levee". Usually it's difficult seeing a band push its new songs, because you (well, I, anyway) want to hear the old favorites. But these songs were so catchy and interesting that I never once found myself thinking "C'mon, let's hear something we know". As another reviewer points out, they've resisted making one singer the star and the others the supporting cast, so there's a lot of interesting harmony and that wonderful trading off of vocal lines between Tommy and John.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Magic!, April 2, 2006

By 

Mike Patton "all I play is a stereo.. but ver... (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind the Levee (Audio CD)

If you're having a bad day and in a funk, put this record on. If you're not feeling markedly better half way through it...you need a doctor! To me, that's the sign of "the real stuff"!!!
The melody, the soul, the funk, the harmony, the rhythem, the fun, and the emotion....make Behind the Levee the best money you've spent in a long time.
I regret that a 5 star rating is the best I can give it.