Without knowing who he was, my wife heard an interview with that guy on NPR. She was thinking, "wow, he sounds like an intelligent guy," but unfortunately for her, they played some of his music, forever marring her opinion of him.

Thanks for the Mo Tucker interview, Joe. How's it going? Whatcha listening to? I have a couple of CDs I've been thinking about sending you, but I might try to instead use this Internet device all the kids are talking about.

Deb just turned me on to Son of Schmilsson. Great, great album.

I have a question: I am deep in love with "Knockin' On My Front Door". What style is that an example of?

I have a question: I am deep in love with "Knockin' On My Front Door". What style is that an example of?

You mean "At My Front Door"?

Sort of a mutant version of New Orleans style, piano led rock and roll. Which would be a good genre to fall in love with since there's a very deep well of it. Though you might be liking the slightly skewed Nilsson take on it which is less replicable.

I also recommend Nilsson's first two records Pandemonium Shadow Show and Aerial Ballet.

Which would be a good genre to fall in love with since there's a very deep well of it.

Recommendations?

Here's an AMG overview:

Primarily a piano- and horn-driven style, New Orleans R&B is the next step over from its more bluesier practitioners. There's a cheerful good-naturedness to the style that infuses the music with a good-time feel, no matter how somber the lyrical text. The music itself uses a distinctively "lazy" feel, with all of its somewhat complex rhythms falling just a hair behind the beat, making for what is known as "the sway." The vocals can run the full emotional gamut, from laid-back crooning to full-throated gospel shouting, while the horn lines provide a perfect droning backdrop. Enlivened by Caribbean rhythms, an unrelenting party atmosphere, and the distinctive "second-line" strut of the Dixieland music so indigenous to the area, there's nothing quite as intoxicating as the sound of Crescent City R&B. — Cub Koda

I particularly like Huey "Piano" Smith and The Clowns.

Rhino has two volumes of New Orleans party classics which has a nice range of rollicking New Orleans R&B including Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Huey "Piano" Smith and some later (somewhat funkier) tunes. But it's a good way to check out a variety of musicians in that style.

You might also like James Booker, who I wrote about for the book. I'd recommend Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah. You can listen to song samples at that site. Check out "Tico Tico/Papa Was A Rascal."

I bet Mr. Boucher would have some recs as well.

Maybe early Neville Brothers?

Ohh. I have tons of that. Lemme flip through iTunes.

Maybe early Neville Brothers?

There's some of that on the New Orleans party comp - under the name The Hawks. Later Nevilles is quite a bit more funky than I think what Betsy's looking for.

Allen Toussaint, Bo Dollis and The Wild Magnolia, Galactic, Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams, The Meters, Neville Brothers, Professor Longhair all turn up on NO+R&B

Allen Toussaint, Bo Dollis and The Wild Magnolia, Galactic, Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams, The Meters, Neville Brothers, Professor Longhair all turn up on NO+R&B

Most of those are more New Orleans funk. At least that's how I'd categorize Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolia, and Galactic (jam band funk). Irma Thoms is fantastic, but that's going to be more R&B ballads. Same with Johnny Adams. Meters are very funky too.

All great music, however. And recommended, but not the rolling N'awlins R&B I think Betsy's digging. She'd probably like some Dr. John too, especially his stuff away from the Nightripper vibe (which I love, but...). This recent Dr. John looks like it might be worth a listen.