In my opinion, these songs epitomize the spirit of New Orleans. Bound up in the people through families that have lived here for generations and have been passing the traditions about music, dance, and style down the line, you can t see one existing without the other.

What would be the point of a street parade dance if the people who are the inspiration and the reason for their existence were no longer there to enjoy it? Sure you can do fake ones for the tourists in the French Quarter, but it would be merely a plastic, soulless recreation with no meaning.

For those of you not familiar with the New Orleans style of Funk, the Funky New Orleans disc will be a real treat as it gives an amazing overview of the city s very particular groove and will leave you wanting to rush out and buy more. Ivory Emperors is where you ll find the creative geniuses of New Orleans. James Booker, Champion Jack Dupree, and Professor Long Hair are representatives of the long line of piano players whose history dates back to the bordellos of the French Quarter.

The keyboard, from the grand piano to the Hammond B3 has been the backbone of New Orleans music since the first Madam decided she needed something aside from her girls to entertain her clients. It lent the atmosphere the air of the parlour or the salon as the gentleman awaited his companion for the evening, and made everything that much more genteel and civilized.