Customer Reviews

Fess: Anthology

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'd never heard note one of Fess' music when I bought this set. My gut said it would be good, and my gut turned out to be Nostradamus. The fact that this guy ever had trouble making ends meet is a testament to how upside down the music industry can be. I try to be sparing with the stars, and there is no doubt that this set deserves all five. This is pure good time music. The man was a party on the piano. I carried the CD with me everywhere I went for the first week I owned it. In my car, in my room, in other people's cars (I insisted, no one complained), in other people's rooms. Jerry Lee Lewis is nothing but watered down 'Fess. Take yours straight.

This music is the richest sounding music the human ear has ever had the pleasure of hearing. From the Hadacol Bounce to Cuttin' out to Tipitina to etc. and beyond, every cut is played with that special Rhumba Boogie shuffle with the Proffessor singing at the top of his lungs. Whooaaahhh Lalalala. A whole lotta uh uh for you. This is the joy music was meant to be. And you too will be a Fess Fan! Just ask Fats Domino and John Bonham.

I have listened to this CD dozens of times in the last few months. Its joyous and uplifting yet still reflects some of the pain in the Professor's life. The little book with pictures and a mini biography that are included are worth the price of the 2 CD set. After listening once, you'll want to head to the Big Easy, stop at Tipitina's, and rub Fess' head for good luck. Those of you who have been there know what I'm talking about. The man is a true legend.

No air-conditioning then, and after awhile you didn't even care anymore. With the Professor banging out the musical equal of both sugar and whiskey, life at that moment was pretty damn good there at Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas Street.

Yeah, yeah, you had to be there, but since you probably weren't, here's something for you so you can see what all the fuss is about. A little lagniappe for you at the end, too, with the Professor kickin' it way big with some friends.

Meet you tomorrow at the Camelia for breakfast, cher. . .

If you're lookin for a good mix of old school Jazz/Blues tunes, you've come to the right place. Fess' has a good list of classics ranging from hard-hitting Jazz to the soft Blues when you're in the mood. If you've ever wanted Fess' hits on one CD, here you are. Tipitina, Big Chief, Stag-O-Lee, it's all here.

Wonderful collection of Fess's stuff. This cd almost makes buying the rest of his cd's not necessary....almost. This guy is the epitome of the New Orleans blues pianist. Almost everybody has ripped off stuff from this great musician's repertoire. Great collection of his "most important songs". Fess has other exellent music out there, but if you want a taste of him from his early days all the way to 1980, here it is. If you like New Orleans blues, you need to own this cd.

Dr. John, Allen Toussaint and others cite 'Fess as the original funky piano player. Some say he invented funky music. Pedigree notwithstanding, this collection will satisfy the New Orleans music collector or anyone who is moved by pounding, funky piano. The combinations of keyboard riffs and vocal leaps will leave you scratching your head sometimes (why there? or at all) but he makes it all work like there was no other way to play it. An absolute original, he continues to inspire. These tracks are very hard to find elsewhere.

Now I don't claim to be an expert in "Fess" music but I am from New Orleans and have had Rock n Roll Gumbo for many years and love the version of "Tipitina" that is on that record. The Anthology is a great great record with 2 versions of "tipitina" but in my humble opinion, neither version measures up the version on "Rock n Roll Gumbo". This is probably a 5 star record that I had to give 4 stars to simply because of this one song.

If you are on a budget or simply running out of space for CD's, this is the only one you need.

New Orleans veteran Professor Longhair and his music will live on forever in every ones mind !!