Crawfish Fiesta

Professor Longhair

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1980
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B0000009XL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,336 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #39 in	Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Traditional Jazz
  #95 in	Music > Blues > Regional Blues > New Orleans Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In the corner of the world known as New Orleans, Roy Byrd--Professor Longhair--looms larger than any other musical figure with the possible exception of Louis Armstrong. This album, recorded in 1979 and released the following year just after his death, marks his final recordings, and it includes a robust horn section, tight rhythm section, and Dr. John strumming guitar alongside his idol. The pianist bounces buoyantly through old favorites while adding some new songs into the mix. Fess's infectious vocals, jaunty ivory-tickling, and funky groove provide the ultimate soundtrack to the Crescent City and show exactly why the city has the reputation that it does. Take two mudbugs and call me in the morning. Better make that the afternoon. Late afternoon. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description
Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in miniature LP sleeve. 2007. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Professor's dream ..., July 3, 2000

By	Will Flannery (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

I first heard Longhair on the record "New Orleans Piano". It's a remarkable record. For the most part the tunes are brutally simple, the left hand outlining a major chord, and the right hand playing simple repetitive licks. But one tune jumps right off the grooves, "Tipitina", the left hand plays a rhumba like bass figure unlike any you've heard, the right hand alternates between tinkling and hard hammering, and the Professor more or less yodels a long series of nonsense syllables interrupted by one intelligible phrase, "little momma want's a dollar". Everything about this tune is unique, it was a local hit for Longhair in the early 50's.

When I moved to N.O. in the 70's I attended my first Longhair event in a run-down church. Playing with Fess was a ragtag group that did include, however, the legendary Snooks Eaglin on guitar. The audience was in bleacher type seats in front of a small stage. At one point someone in the audience shouted out "Tipitina!", and the Professor launched into the tune. This time the lyrics were intelligible, about a certain Loberta that liked to indulge, with the exception of the line corresponding to "little momma wants a dollar" which was rendered "oolla molla wolla dolla" !

I heard Longhair on many subsequent occasions. Every time was a party. And, every time, the accompanying band was less than stellar. Didn't make any difference, Longhair was never less than great.

Likewise, most of Longhair's recordings are made with less than stellar backing musicians ("R&R Gumbo does feature some superfine playing by Gatemouth Brown.) However, the band on "Crawfish Fiesta" consists of some of the best musicians in N.O. This band rocks! Longhair is in top form. The CD leads of with "Big Chief", which is an anthem in N.O., and the tunes are great start to finish. It's as if the Professor dreamed the perfect CD, and, then, it came to pass.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The very definition of blues piano!, August 5, 2001

By	Darren Burton "virtualbloodhound" (Ogden, Utah United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is Professor Longhair's best album and unfortunately it was his last. Professor Longhair is the very essence of New Orleans blues. He was Dr. John's mentor, who also was Professor Longhair's studio guitarist, before he dedicated himself to the piano and had a career of his own.

Crawfish Fiesta is my favorite blues album. It is full of energy and is just full of life and fun. Buy this album and take a virtual trip to New Orleans.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His third best album--thus completely essential!, March 1, 2000

By A Customer

I think that "New Orleans Piano" and "Houseparty New Orleans Style" are better Longhair albums, but this one is also a great album. There are many lively cuts on which the horns and guitar mix together with Longhair's playing and singing to create a very appealing and exciting sound. This is an essential album, and a whole lot of fun.