Product Description

Nonesuch Records is releasing a benefit album of newly recorded songs featuring artists from the New Orleans music community – across a wide variety of styles – to document the depth, richness and profound musicality of that unique city. Funds from the sale of the record, titled Our New Orleans, will be donated to Habitat For Humanity to aid those affected by the recent Hurricane Katrina disaster. A number of New Orleans’ best known musicians have been asked to record songs that are integral to their lives and that express their feelings about the city and the recent events there. Sessions began in New York on September 20, with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Wild Magnolias recording at Clinton Studios. Later the same day and on September 21, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band recorded at New York’s Avatar Studios. Further sessions in October included Dr. John, Buckwheat Zydeco, and Randy Newman, among others. Nonesuch’s parent company – Warner Bros. Records – is donating all of the production costs for this record, as part of the Warner Music Group’s larger efforts on behalf of the hurricane victims. Many others involved in the project are also generously donating their time and services.

Track Listing

1. Allen Toussaint – Yes We Can Can (Producer Joe Henry)
2. Dr. John – World I Never Made (Producers Mark Bingham/Hal Willner)
3. Irma Thomas – Back Water Blues (Producer Joe Henry)
4. Davell Crawford – Gather by the River (Producers Mark Bingham/Hal Willner)
5. Buckwheat Zydeco – Cryin’ in the Streets (Producer Ry Cooder)
6. Dr. Michael White – Canal Street Blues (Producers Mark Bingham/Doug Petty)
7. Wild Magnolias – Brother John Is Gone/Herc-Jolly-John (Producers Doug Petty/Matt Sakakeeny)
8. Eddie Bo – When the Saints Go Marching In (Producer Nick Spitzer)
9. Dirty Dozen Brass Band – ‘My Feet Can’t Fail Me Now (producer Joe Henry)
10. Carol Fran – Tou’ les jours ç’est pas la même (Every Day Is Not the Same) (Producer,Nick Spitzer)
11. BeauSoleil – L’ouragon (The Hurricane) (Producers, Michael Doucet/Nick Spitzer)
12. Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans (Producers Doug Petty/Matt Sakakeeny)
13. Charlie Miller – Prayer for New Orleans (Producers Mark Bingham/Hall Willner)
14. The Wardell Quezergue Orchestra (Feat. Donald Harrison) – What a Wonderful World (Producers Joel Dorn/Adam Dorn)
15. Allen Toussaint – Tipitina and Me (Producer Joe Henry)
16. Randy Newman (Feat. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra with members of the New York Philharmonic) – Louisiana 1927 (Producer Steve Epstein)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #80594 in Music
• Released on: 2005-12-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .28 pounds

CD Description
Beautifully packaged and lovingly compiled, OUR NEW ORLEANSpresents a set of songs recorded in September and October of 2005, shortly after Lake Ponchartrain flooded New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. With the destruction of their beloved hometown fresh in their minds, Crescent City artists such as Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and Irma Thomas set about making music that directly acknowledges the iconic city, making for an emotional tribute. The mood on OUR NEW ORLEANS is predominantly hopeful, uplifting, and, of course, funky, with Toussaint's new groove-laden rendition of "Yes We Can Can" exemplifying this thoughtful and enjoyable record. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.