Here are the Best CD releases of 2011, handpicked by WWOZ's show hosts. Many of the discs are by local New Orleans artists, while others are from national and international acts—and all of them make great gifts for yourself or loved ones.
Click on the Buy Now buttons next to each disc to purchase it from retail outlets including Louisiana Music Factory, iTunes, or Amazon, and give the gift of music!
» More Best CD Picks: 2010 | 2009 | 2008
A.J. Rodrigue, "The Boudin Man" [view show host profile]
Kitchen Sink with A.J. Rodrigue and A.A., Wednesday 10pm-midnight
Ratty Scurvics and the Black Market Butchers - In Time
Big Freedia - Scion A/V Presents Big Freedia
David Kunian [view show host profile]
Kitchen Sink with David Kunian, Tuesday 10pm-midnight
As Jim said, the Robert Johnson and Buddy Bolden of Creole Music
John Sinclair - Let's Go Get 'Em
Rebirth Brass Band - Rebirth of New Orleans
Davis Rogan - The Real Davis
Tom McDermott/Evan Christopher - Almost Native
Creole String Beans - Shrimp Boots and Vintage Suits
Starlicker - Double Demon
Burnt Sugar - All Ya Needs That Negrocity
Mistakes Were Made - A Broke and Hungry Records Retrospective
Jimbo Mathus - Confederate Buddha
Kenny Brown - Porch Songs
Matana Roberts - Coin Coin
Miguel Zenon - Alma Adentro
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey - Race Riot Suite
REISSUES
Peter Tosh - Equal Rights
Heiner Stadler - Tribute to Bird and Monk
Junior Wells/Buddy Guy - Hoodoo Man Blues
Jelly Roll Justice [view show host profile]
Overnight Jazz with Jelly Roll Justice, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 3-6amJazz from the French Market with Jelly Roll Justice, Thursday 4-7pm
Jim Hobbs [view show host profile]
Cajun and Zydeco with Charles Laborde or Jim Hobbs, Sunday 12-2pm
The Robert Johnson of Creole music, influencing everyone who came after.
The Band CourtBouillon - The Band CourtBouillon Featuring Wayne Toups - Steve Riley - Wilson Savoy (Valcour Records)
A new Cajun supergroup.
Continuing to push the boundaries of Cajun, with help from Quintron and others.
Original songs on classic themes.
From the best Cajun music festival.
The Beatles, Neil Young, Black Sabbath and many more, continuing a tradition of French versions of modern songs.
Joel “Heavy D” Dinerstein [view show host profile]
The Morning Set with Joel "Heavy D" Dinerstein, Mondays 6-9am
Mark LaMaire [view show host profile]
The Morning Set with Mark LaMaire, Tuesdays 6-9am
Missy Bowen [view show host profile]
Blues and R&B with Missy Bowen, Thursdays 7-10pm
Yes I produced this, and am prejudiced, but this stands out for its musical and production quality and because very few artists dare take on acoustic music these days, especially someone known for his rock/funk electric performances. This CD has a great story, well-executed, and is a quiet hit.
One of her best efforts. A couple of clunkers, but generally an all around A effort from a woman who can deliver if she chooses to. We are glad she let New Orleans help her make that choice.
This group's most cohesive, accessible CD yet.
George remakes Meters, and every cut benefits from his smooth "old lion" confidence.
They backed up Earl King after the Radiators ceded the job, and now rule the R & B/blues scene in the upper midwest. This release with Willie Walker on vocals is consistent, high-energy, and true to the soul.
A fan-driven release of some of Dave Ray's last material before his totally tragic death from cancer in 2004. A treasure if only to hear Dave's commentary, but his silky growl and understated-because-he's-that-damned-good-and-doesn't-need-to-show-off guitar work make me hollow inside, sad because I will never hear him again in person, and happy that this new CD is here. (One of the greatest days of my life was the day he drove an hour out to my cabin to jam with Camile. I made the best pork roast of my life that afternoon, using the kitchen bustle as an excuse to eavesdrop on those two playing together, wishing I had a way to record them.)
Marcia's best in a while. A bunch of winners in this one - it can stand being in the CD player on "repeat" without me getting sick of it. That's a backhanded compliment, but it's really a compliment.
Honorable Mentions:
Sally Young [view show host profile]
Traditional Jazz, Thursdays 9-11am
REISSUES & COMPILATIONS:
Russell [view show host profile]
How could you go wrong with this combo?
Funky. Jazzy. Great.
It's good to know someone is still producing music like this.
My kind of jazz quartet.
I only wish I had a 1950s Buick Skylark to go along with this album.
If I produced an album I would call it "A Love Letter to Irvin Mayfield."
Sondra Bibb [view show host profile]
Jazz from the French Market with Sondra Bibb, Mondays 4-7pm
T.R. Johnson [view show host profile]
Jazz from the French Market with T.R. Johnson, Tuesday 4-7 p.m.
And the best re-issues of the year:
Add a comment below if you would like to submit your own picks for 2011 or to comment on the picks above.
