Professor Longhair – ‘Big Chief’ 1964 (purchase)
“The song refers to Mardi Gras Indian groups; an important part of the African American Mardi Gras tradition. The “Indian Nation” of Mardi Gras Indian “gangs” in New Orleans includes the Wild Magnolias, the Golden Eagles, and several others. Mardi Gras Indian gangs have existed since the early 20th Century. Each gang performs its own original songs and dances on Mardi Gras Day, on “Super Sunday”(the Sunday before St. Patricks Day) and at other functions in the community. The “Big Chief,” the “Spy Boy,” the “Flag Boy” and several other roles or offices are important to the Mardi Gras Indian tradition of “masking” (parading through the street in full costume). These characters are mentioned in Earl King’s song, as well as many other songs which have come out of New Orleans.
According to tradition, the African Americans in New Orleans who first formed “Indian gangs” did so as a tribute to the Native American tribes in the area who took in runaway slaves in the pre-Civil War era. Mardi Gras Indians wear elaborate, hand made costumes which feature massive feather headresses and intricate bead work.”
Really liking this Dent May guy… Smart style and a sound that matches this sunny non-winter here oh so well…
“Jackson, Mississippi native Dent May grew up singing in local church groups, acting in school plays, and performing at nursing home gigs with a recorder choir. In high school, he wrote synthy power-pop with his band The Rockwells while recording erotically charged novelty tracks with friends on the side. After three unsuccessful semesters at NYU’s film school, May moved to North Mississippi where he helped found the Cats Purring arts collective and formed a country-rock band called Cowboy Maloney’s Electric City. In late 2007, inspired by Serge Gainsbourg and Lee Hazlewood, he began performing as Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele and released a digital E.P. of cheeky lo-fi tunes, A Brush With Velvet. The title is a reference to The Partridge Family, episodes of which May obsessively collected and organized on VHS tapes as a teen. His debut album, The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele, was recorded with Rusty Santos in May’s home, a double-wide trailer in Taylor, Mississippi (population: 300). He continues to perform with Cowboy Maloney’s Electric City, and recently began recording dance music under the moniker Dent Sweat.”
We’re all about the serious Bruce Springsteen come-back happening right now.
“Freedom” – one of our favorites from q and p’s new album.
Buddy Guy’s ‘Watch Yourself’… We love this song right now..
No Regrets was posted as a free mp3 here: http://www.hazelwood.de/kingkhan/index.php
This RMX doesn’t really add much to Lil Wayne’s (Produced By Bangladesh) version, but we’re glad it’s out there. Look forward to hearing more RMXS of hits from Tha Carter 3
Rock Steady Drew RMX of Run DMC’s “My Adidas”