What kind of N'awlins are we talking here?

Jazz, zydeco, Delta blues?

::sits happily at Barb's knee::

Well, all I have is Harry Connick, Jr, so you are better off than I am. (Incidentl, the onl concert I have ever attended in my LIFE was Harr Connick, jr.)

Seeing as I don't really know (I just know she's a mad Cajun cook), all I can offer, for my own sanity, is to go lightly on the recs that involve accordians!

I personally like the jazzy and the bluesy, not so much the brassy Mardis Gras (I don't think there should be a street party in the offices anyhow, although that might be interesting!).

I already have some Al Hirt, various Satchmo.

I would love to be ejimukated on what zydeco and all the rest are, if you are willing to enlighten, Barb!

also, my y key seems to be inactive in the above post.

Well, if you have access to iTunes, the best thing to do is type in "New Orleans" and then click under "iTunes Essentials."

Basically, these are mixes based around themes and you can get a good combo going. They've got a great mix called "Mardi Gras" that mixes it up and one calle "Cajun Cookout" although that one looks as if it might be heavy on the zydeco. If all else fails, Beausoleil is wicked good and of course, you can't have N'awlins without Dr. John, although a little of the good Doctor goes a long way. In the wake of Katrina, Harry Connick did a lovely CD called Oh, My NOLA that's a fabulous tribute to the city.

Anything Marsalis family or Neville Brothers.

And for my perverse tastes, I love, love, love the live recording of "The Saints Are Comin'/House of the Rising Sun" that Green Day and U2 did when the reopened the Superdome for the first game of the football season post-Katrina.

Oh... and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

I'll stop now.

::slinks off after babbling::

thanks! (babble some more!)

I was actually afraid to do that iTunes keyword search, because I didn't want to just end up with songs that had "NEW ORLEANS" stamped all over them.

off to check them all out!

As far as what zydeco is, it's essentially the folk/roots music of southern/southwest Louisiana that began in the mid-1800s in the Creole French speaking blacks and multiracial communities. It was the social party music in these communities and then eventually moved into the nightclubs and began blending with other social music of the time, integrating everything from waltzes to ragtime, etc. It's a constantly evolving style with the main markers being the use of the accordion and washboard.

It's fun outdoor party music, especially when mudbugs, oysters, and lots of liquor are involved.

And I assume you mean Wynton, or Branford as well?