Home of the Groove

• HOTG.ORG IS STREAMING AGAIN

  Number of comments: 4
  As some of you have already discovered, the webcast, HOTG Radio, came back online late yesterday. After a shakedown cruise, it appears to be stable and relatively glitch-free. Personally, I think the audio needs a bit of tweaking. So, that will be next on the agenda.
  
  Sorry [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 11:21am EST
  by Dan Phillips

• In Pursuit of Bo-Consciousness - Part 7

  Number of comments: 4
  [Updated 11/24/2009 with Instant 3283]
  
  Although the two would never exactly bond professionally, Joe Banashak hired Eddie Bo not only as a producer, arranger, and writer, but also as a recording artist. Starting in 1966, Bo worked primarily on projects for the Seven B label, including his own releases, [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 10:29pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• HOTG webcast is down. . . but not out

  Number of comments: 1
  If you been trying to catch the HOTG Radio stream lately, you haven't had much luck. The server is down and currently being repaired. rebuilt, whatever the technically proficient do with 'em. Obviously, some serious grooving has been going on, as we seem to have done worn the sucker out. [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 4:26pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• In Pursuit of Bo-Consciousness - Part 6

  Number of comments: 7
  Greets. Just three records this time, and a lot of back-fill. One of the records is on an archived previous post. So, you'll have to hit the link back to it to hear the audio and read the other Bo connection to it that I did not get into this' [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 1:08am EST
  by Dan Phillips

• In Pursit of Bo Consciousness - Part 5

  Number of comments: 7
  ***Updated 10/5/2009***
  
  STRIKING OUT ON HIS OWN
  
  The independent record business in New Orleans was always volatile and precarious. Starting with the first wave in the mid-1950s, numerous local labels formed and folded, with most lasting just a few years, if that. The opportunity to score a [...]
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  Posted: October 04, 2009, 12:16pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• In Pursuit of Bo-Consciousness, Part 4

  Number of comments: 18
  MOVING ON AFTER RIC & RON
  [Updated 8/25/2009]
  [Updated (with added audio) 8/26/2009]
  
  The Last At Last
  
  Part 3 ended more or less with Eddie Bo leaving the Ric and Ron labels behind in 1962, due to dissatisfaction with his compensation and owner Joe Ruffino's reluctance to' [...]
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  Posted: August 21, 2009, 5:22pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• HOTG Summer Concert Series, Part 2

  Number of comments: 8
  Toussaint At Tip's: Feelin' The Love
  
  One of the best concerts by Allen Toussaint I've been to in quite a while was his headline appearance at Tipitina's 30th Anniversary Party last year. With Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen opening the show, it promised to be [...]
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  Posted: July 23, 2009, 8:53pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• HOTG SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, Part 1

  Number of comments: 5
  A request from a reader/listener to post or re-post some live stuff from Dr. John and/or the Meters reminded me that it has been way too long since I have put up any performance recordings at all. So, I decided to do a little series off and on this summer [...]
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  Posted: July 12, 2009, 5:32pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• MID-YEAR REVIEWS: Everything Old Is New Again

  Number of comments: 2
  I've had a few CDs sent to me for review this year, plus a couple more that I bought over the past few months. So, I am breaking in here mid-year to do some, ummm. . .uncompensated infomercials, I guess you might call them. This highly subjective short list does' [...]
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  Posted: July 06, 2009, 7:17pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Shaking It Down For Michael

  Number of comments: 6
  
  
  MICHAEL JACKSON 1958 - 2009
  
  No matter how you felt about Michael Jackson's remarkable and frequently strange sojourn on Planet Showbiz, he undeniably had a huge impact one way or another on popular music, dance, and cosmetic surgery. As pictured above about age' [...]
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  Posted: June 27, 2009, 11:00am EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Catch Porgy Jones

  Number of comments: 5
  Trumpeter and bandleader Warren 'Porgy' Jones is another New Orleans musician who has had a long career in (and out of) the city, but made very few recordings as a featured artist, and has never been well known to the world at large. On several occasions, I have mentioned him [...]
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  Posted: June 15, 2009, 6:30pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Respecting 'Red' Tyler

  Number of comments: 3
  
  
  When we were in New Orleans two weekends ago for my step-daughter's graduation from Loyola (we're proud - and relieved!), my wife and I got a chance to go out that Saturday night and catch a tribute to saxophonist Alvin 'Red' Tyler, a [...]
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  Posted: May 24, 2009, 2:54pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• The Domino Effect

  Number of comments: 2
  
  
  I was contacted by the people promoting this event, who asked that I let you know about it. And I'm glad to do it, as it features some legendary entertainers performing in concert to both honor Fats Domino and raise funds for The Brees Dream' [...]
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  Posted: May 20, 2009, 6:00pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• In Pursuit Of Bo-Consciousness - Part 3

  Number of comments: 15
  WORKING WELL WITH OTHERS ON RIC & RON
  
  As an arranger, songwriter and backing musician, Eddie Bo assisted a number of artists who were beginning or continuing their recording careers at Ric & Ron in the early 1960s, several of whom would go on to become big names in [...]
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  Posted: May 11, 2009, 2:01pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• GONE FESTING. . . .

  Number of comments: 1
  
  Ilê Aiyê - photo by Dan Phillips
  
  
  Yes, it's that time of year again. Last wekend, I cruised the French Quarter Festival, and it was all good. Last night, my wife and I were at the opening of the Festival International' [...]
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  Posted: April 24, 2009, 8:41am EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• In Pursuit of Bo-Consciousness - Part 2

  Number of comments: 6
  THE RIC YEARS
  
  I always felt Eddie was one of the most talented songwriters to come out of New Orleans. He was always coming into the studio with great ideas for songs and arrangements. Joe Ruffino realized he had something in Eddie Bo and he gave him free rein [...]
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  Posted: April 09, 2009, 7:39pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• In Pursuit of Bo-Consiousness

  Number of comments: 6
  
  
  Edwin J. Bocage, a/k/a Spider Bocage, Little Bo, and best known as Eddie Bo, a fascinating, often enigmatic figure on the New Orleans music scene for over half a century, passed away just over a week ago. During his career, he wore many musical [...]
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  Posted: March 29, 2009, 2:18pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Eddie Bo Is Gone

  Number of comments: 4
  
  
  This just in....my friend, Tom, host of the New Orleans Big Beat on WEVL in Memphis let me know today that Eddie Bo has passed away. A quick check of Keith Spera's blog for the Times-Picayune today reveals that Eddie died Wednesday of' [...]
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  Posted: March 20, 2009, 5:09pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Let's Hear More From Snooks. . . Aw-rite?

  Number of comments: 11
  I've been burning up what few brain cells I have left trying to remember the first time I saw Fird 'Snooks' Eaglin, Jr. perform live. This lack of specifics has much more to do with my age (and maybe what I was drinking back then) than with the impact' [...]
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  Posted: March 08, 2009, 2:50pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• THE MARI GRAS MIX & GOODBYE SNOOKS

  Number of comments: 6
  
  
  
  H A P P Y
  
  
  M A R D I
  
  
  G R A S
  
  
  2 9 ! ! !
  
  [...]
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  Posted: February 21, 2009, 10:39am EST
  by Dan Phillips

• Three To Get Ready For Mardi Gras

  Number of comments: 5
  Mardi Gras' coming and it won't be long. . .so let's get further in the mood right now with some more Mardi Gras Indian-related music. . . .
  
  
  
  "Two-Way-Pock-A-Way" (H. Fedison-B. Hawkins-J.Johnson-R. Hawkins)
  The Dixie Cups, from Riding High, ABC LP 525, 1966[...]
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  Posted: February 15, 2009, 1:15am EST
  by Dan Phillips

• When The Junkyard Dog Broke Out

  Number of comments: 2
  As I mentioned in my recent CD reviews, or as you may have otherwise learned by now, one of New Orleans best drummers, Wilbert 'Junkyard Dog' Arnold, passed away the day after Christmas. A long-time member of Walter 'Wolfman' Washington's Roadmasters and one of the founding members of the' [...]
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  Posted: January 28, 2009, 8:19pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• Mardi Gras Music Missing Link: Bobby's Bounce

  Number of comments: 5
  Twelfth Nigh has just passed last week. Carnival season is upon us. King cakes are in the stores. The parties have started. Costumes are being put together. The rolling krewes are making their final parade preps. And the Indians are practicing their music and moves in corner bars, and [...]
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  Posted: January 14, 2009, 7:15pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• 2008 YEAR END CD REVIEWS

  Number of comments: 4
  As you can see, I've been taking a brief break from music posting here on da blog, but not from my behind the scenes vinyl pursuits. Stay tuned for more from the HOTG archives, coming real soon as Carnival season fires up. But, now, once again (may be the last' [...]
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  Posted: January 10, 2009, 11:09pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• Round John Virgin

  Number of comments: 6
  
  Faubourg Marigny, New Orleans, 2008
  
  Well, the holidays are upon us. Lots going on, of course. But, thought I'd feature this Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) track from a 1989 LP called Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, an obscure various artists project with the' [...]
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  Posted: December 20, 2008, 11:38pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• Keeping An Eye On Merry Clayton

  Number of comments: 9
  Before the end of the year is upon us, there's time for one more installment on a New Orleans female R&B artist. One of my favorite New Orleans vocalists, Merry Clayton (whose birthday will be here soon), is a special case for several reasons. While she has roots in' [...]
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  Posted: December 10, 2008, 7:14pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• Mary Jane By Any Other Name. . . .

  Number of comments: 10
  Once again, it's been too long since I've put up anything from the distaff side of New Orleans soul and funk. To remedy that, I'll kick off another round-up of female vocalists with three tunes from my archives by one who , at a young age, had a very brief' [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2008, 6:08pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• Chuck Carbo: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

  Number of comments: 7
  New Orleans funk fans and collectors are probably most familiar with Chuck Carbo from the one-off 45 sides he made for and with Eddie Bo in 1969 that have appeared on several compilations; but, as seriously funky as it was, that record really didn't provide a great showcase for someone' [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2008, 5:15pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• Off the subject...but a really worthy cause

  Number of comments: 0
  
  
  My friend and multi-blogger, Red Kelly, who brings you Soul Detective, The "A" Side, The "B" Side, etc, has been working with a large group of soul fans on this tribute to a Memphis soul legend, O. V. Wright, which will take place on [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2008, 7:09pm EST
  by Dan Phillips

• Percy Mayfield Declines Presidency

  Number of comments: 6
  
  
  "I Don't Want To Be The President" (P. Mayfield)
  Percy Mayfield, Atlantic 3207, 1974
  (Tune in to HOTG Internet Radio)
  
  Tongue firmly in cheek, Percy Mayfield teamed up with producer Johnny "Guitar' Watson back in 1974 for this musical declaration of" [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2008, 8:55pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• EARL PALMER'S UP-TO-DATE FUNKY THING

  Number of comments: 5
  
  
  Today, I won't be recapitulating the life and times of Earl Palmer, who passed away on September 19th, just over a month shy of his 84th birthday. If you want to find out more about the man, there are some good to great' [...]
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  Posted: October 18, 2008, 11:59am EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Goodbye, George Davis

  Number of comments: 11
  
  
  "Hold On, Help Is On the Way" (Davis/Tyler/Parker)
  G. Davis & R. Tyler, Parlo 102, 1966
  (Tune in to HOTG Internet Radio)
  
  "Hold On, Help Is On the Way" has long been on my short list of favorite instrumentals from New Orleans [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2008, 9:28pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• SHO-NUFF THE Q-FUNK

  Number of comments: 3
  Having last focused on some Wardell Quezergue productions that were more toward the mainstream, I thought I'd feature two examples of his unique brand of funk, most evident in the early 1970s, when he was recording virtually all of his projects in Jackson, MS, at Malaco Studios. I've visited [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2008, 6:45pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• BazzFest: Celebration and Worthy Cause,

  Number of comments: 0
  
  
  Funds are being raised this weekend for restoration of the home of New Orleans-based artist, Charles Bazzell, with the participation of notables on the New Orleans and Lafayette art and music scenes. It promises to be quite a party with additional special guests. So, [...]
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  Posted: September 17, 2008, 8:51pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Movers and Shakers With The Big "Q" Factor

  Number of comments: 0
  Today's tracks come from sessions produced by the great Wardell Quezergue in the mid-1960s featuring two undeservedly obscure artists, Guitar Ray and Sammy Ridgley. Though neither of these song about dancing is funk-related or has an identifiable New Orleans sound, their strong, move-motivating grooves are undeniable. It's hard to [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2008, 10:00pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Post Gustav (Pre-Ike?) Update: Music Add, etc.

  Number of comments: 1
  I've just added more audio to the big Willie West post thanks to a friend of the blog from Glasgow, Scotland, who discovered a copy of the Black Samson movie floating around the internet and managed to rip the theme song for me and us to hear. I'll leave [...]
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  Posted: September 07, 2008, 4:57pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• ALL CLEAR HERE

  Number of comments: 1
  Gustav, having weakened slightly before landfall, passed over us as a Category 1 storm, a minimal hurricane - and that was enough for me. We lost power in the high winds about 2:30 yesterday afternoon; and the worst of the storm was past by about 5:00. Fortunately, our immediate area [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2008, 2:22pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!!!

  Number of comments: 8
  
  
  [Update 9/1/2008, 11:55 AM] New Orleans evacuated. Storm surge over-topping the Industrial Canal. Sounds all too familiar. This time Bush, et al are going to pay attention - one disaster too late. Gustav came in as a Category 2 slightly West of the Crescent [...]
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  Posted: September 01, 2008, 11:15pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• K-Doe's Final 45 Revelation

  Number of comments: 7
  Gotta love the lamentably late Ernie K-Doe, Emperor of the Universe (Local 504), whose helter-skelter musical career was an all-American entertainment amalgam of moxie, mojo, mayhem, flim-flam, ham, raw talent, copious energy, alcoholism overcome, shameless self-promotion, and, just possibly, delusions of grandeur. Over the years, [...]
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  Posted: August 21, 2008, 8:25pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• No Magic Wand For Earl King

  Number of comments: 2
  Here's another New Orleans rarity that, like the previously posted Johnny Moore (Deacon John) 45, came out on the Wand label, based in New York. Wand issued a number of singles by New Orleans artists between 1966 and the mid-1970s, leasing virtually all of those tracks from various production companies' [...]
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  Posted: August 10, 2008, 9:26pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Deacon John: The Show Goes On

  Number of comments: 6
  Having mentioned Deacon John Moore's bands several times in the Willie West post just past, I thought it was time to dust off a couple of Moore's singles, which surprisingly comprise exactly 2/3 of his entire vinyl output. For a New Orleans bandleader, vocalist and active session guitarist whose [...]
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  Posted: July 29, 2008, 11:00am EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• WILLIE WEST: A GENUINE SOUL SURVIVOR

  Number of comments: 19
  UPDATED 7/20/2008 & 9/7/2008 (audio added)
  
  
  
  The tag of Soul Survivor may be over-used; but it is well-suited to Willie West, another gifted singer and songwriter from the New Orleans area who has never gotten the breaks he deserved or credit he was [...]
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  Posted: July 01, 2008, 6:45pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Eldridge Holmes Sells "The Book"

  Number of comments: 11
  As I've said before, Eldridge Holmes was one of New Orleans' great soul/R&B vocalists. Period. Had he gotten the opportunity to record as much as the smoother, more formal Johnny Adams did over as many years, he would be at least as well-known and spoken of in the same reverential [...]
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  Posted: June 08, 2008, 10:33pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• A Case Of Mysterious Musical Alter-Egos

  Number of comments: 9
  
  
  "I'm Going Home" (E. Bocage)
  Marie Boubarere, Nola 731, 1967
  (Tune in to HOTG Internet Radio)
  
  
  
  "I Know" (B. George)
  (Tune in to HOTG Internet Radio)
  
  No one seems to know much of anything' [...]
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  Posted: May 31, 2008, 5:58pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• All Nite Hot Buns...And Hatchets

  Number of comments: 8
  While I've been familiar with the three songs in this post for many years and had along the line noticed some linkage among them, my decision to group them together for a post came about by accident, the usual haphazard modus operandi around here, it seems. My plans for better' [...]
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  Posted: May 24, 2008, 1:14pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Rockie's Riccasha

  Number of comments: 2
  
  The dapper Mr. Charles at Jazzfest 2008
  (photo by Dan Phillips)
  
  Although I missed Rockie Charles' performance at this year's Ponderosa Stomp, I caught him on the first Saturday of Jazzfest, playing in the Blues Tent. Sitting there soaking it in (and prior to [...]
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  Posted: May 11, 2008, 9:40pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Tracking Lee Diamond

  Number of comments: 9
  This week, we go back to the late 1950s and early 1960s to hear some sides by Wilbert Smith, better known by his stage name, Lee Diamond, who for over a decade was a multi-instrumental backing musician, songwriter, and vocalist. I find him an elusive figure, because, while his name [...]
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  Posted: April 20, 2008, 12:50pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• Larry Hamilton: On Record (And In Parenthesis)

  Number of comments: 10
  This week I'm back with more sessions from Malaco Studios in Jackson, MS, where, during the early 1970s, Wardell Quezergue produced/arranged many records for hand-picked New Orleans vocal talent such as King Floyd, Jean Knight, the Barons Ltd, and the artists featured today. The more I explore the music [...]
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  Posted: April 05, 2008, 7:15pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• You Know You Want It

  Number of comments: 1
  Dunno. Just in the mood for some more Chocolate Milk here on Chocolate Bunny Eve. I’m heading out for a few days and wanted to leave you with a groove that I find as addictive than high concentrations of dark cocao.
  
  I’ve featured Chocolate Milk cuts here several times; [...]
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  Posted: March 22, 2008, 10:45pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips

• The Sister Steps Out At Last

  Number of comments: 6
  NOTE: Those of you who have been along for the ride for the past few years may recall that I featured an amazing funk tune from The Sister And Brothers, "Yeah, You Right" back in 2005, just about a week before Katrina blew in. I have recently updated that [...]
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  Posted: March 16, 2008, 5:55pm EDT
  by Dan Phillips