Naturally, not all of the local artists who released fine albums in 2018 were recognized with a Grammy nomination. Many deserve praise and notably their work embraces a sense of timelessness that remains the essence of New Orleans. Good music, like any good art, lasts beyond the excitement of first discovery. Here are some recordings that fit that bill:
Music Review
From Lousiana Weekly
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Naturally, not all of the local artists who released fine albums in 2018 were recognized with a Grammy nomination. Many deserve praise and notably their work embraces a sense of timelessness that remains the essence of New Orleans. Good music, like any good art, lasts beyond the excitement of first discovery. Here are some recordings that fit that bill:
Jon Cleary — Dyna-Mite (FHQ Records). The British-born pianist, vocalist and composer loves New Orleans and you can tell. He’s put some of the city’s street beat in the title cut that is spiced by licks inspired by Professor Longhair. The guitar of Leo Nocentelli adds the funk he helped originate with the Meters. Cleary beefs up a lot of cuts with a full horn section added to the core with strengths on the scene including drummer/vocalist Jamison Ross, percussionist AJ Hall, bassist Calvin Turner, keyboardist Nigel Hall and more.
Terence Blanchard – Live (Blue Note). Trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard continues the conversation on violence between law enforcement and African-American citizens that he addressed musically and philosophically on his 2015 Grammy-nominated album Breathless. This time out, Blanchard, along with his E-Collective, made his point by performing live at three locations – Minnesota, Cleveland and Dallas – where engagements between police and the citizenry led to the death of unarmed innocents. The lovely, simple yet moving single notes from the guitar and Blanchard’s lyrical blowing on “Unchanged” seem to communicate a feeling of lament and ask the question, “Why?”