Customer Reviews

Thunder Chicken

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What would Dr. John be like if he were 20 years younger, wore dredlocks, and played slide guitar instead of piano? He might resemble someone like Shreveport, Louisiana-raised Malcolm Welbourne, a.k.a. Papa Mali, who blends rock, blues, funk and jazz in his creole to create a spicy audio etouffe that's hard to resist.

Papa gets the party going off on the good foot with his percussion-rich rendition of a Clifton Chenier tune "Bon Ton Roulet", then follows up with a funky cover of the Buddy Guy classic "Man of Many Words". "I'm The One" is a good long soulful groove, while "Keep Happy" is humorous reminiscing about a favorite corner store set to a mixture of rock and organic hip-hop. The drunken "If I Ever Get Right" sounds the most like the aforementioned Doctor, while "South Austin Lullaby" is actually two good roots blues songs performed solely on acoustic guitar.

A local band on an indepedent label doesn't get much promotion, but my local record store always scores a sale when they play this record, and from people with very diverse musical tastes. This would be a good CD to take a chance on if you're looking for a good time record that's sure to stump your friends trying to guess who this is. Papa Mali would undoubtably appreciate your business. He might even let you have a bite of his po-boy sandwich. ;^]

Malcolm Welbourne is a true practitioner of spirited southern wetlands soul; he is as deeply rooted in the land of his origin as the baldcypress in red-eye swamp. This album is spicy gumbo for the mind and spirit; fans of Dr. John will find Papa Mali a comfortable bayou companion. Apart from this enlivening album, his work with Omar and the Howlers is just as magical and energizing.

Truth to tell, I'd never heard of these guys before getting a mailing from Fog City Records. I'd liked other Fog City releases enough to give Papa Mali a listen. It's a keeper, fo' sure.

Most New Orleans groups will give props to the elders, & Papa Mali is no exception. Great, funky covers of Clifton Chenier's Bon Ton Roulet, Dr. John's Walk On Gilded Splinters & The Wild Magnolias' Fire Water. The originals are up to the challenge as well. Perfect accompaniment for that Mardi Gras mood.

This Papa will definitely make you feel good. I didn't discover this release until a couple of years ago. it is still in regular rotation play. It has a veritable gumbo of Louisiana sounds from funk to blues to rock and more. One reviewer stated it nicely, like Dr. John on guitar with today's sound and groove. His label Fog City records states "Our recordings are diverse, but share a common thread: fat tones, good times and deep roots in regional American culture." That is also a great description of this disc. Check Mofro and Galactic Fog City releases if you haven't already too. Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

The CD was as good as when I heard PaPa live. Great music, can't beat that old bayou/blues sound.

Truth to tell, I'd never heard of these guys before getting a mailing from Fog City Records. I'd liked other Fog City releases enough to give Papa Mali a listen. It's a keeper fo' sure.

Most New Orleans groups will give props to the elders, & Papa Mali is no exception. Great, funky covers of Clifton Chenier ("Bon Ton Roulet"), Dr. John ("Walk On Gilded Splinters") & The Wild Magnolias ("Fire Water"). The originals are up to the challenge as well. Perfect accompaniment for that Mardi Gras mood.

I've been a Papa Mali fan for years. This particular album blew me away 4 years ago. It's among my top favorite CD's, and I'm a 'music monster'.

So I was crushed beyond description when I bought tickets to see him and his band at Tipitina's at last year's JazzFest in New Orleans, which I attend annually. He didn't come out until 1 or 2 in the morning, and when he did, he was ... let's just say ... not in good shape. I had pumped him up for months to my friend whom I dragged and cajoled to stay up that late. And there he stood, looking at the floor, and letting the rest of his band play around him.

I hope he's not done. The guy is phenomenal!