Song of the Day: Get your drank on with a live shot of “Whiskey Heaven” by Frankie Ford

It’s not quite TGIF yet, and it’s not quite Mardi Gras yet, but this song should get you in the mood for both. Drink in the rich, testosterone-filled sounds (and flamboyant sight) of a purple-garbed Frankie Ford‘s romping rendition of Fats Domino’s classic “Whiskey Heaven.” Watch as Ford pounds the keys just like Huey “Piano” Smith and Clarence “Frogman” Henry taught him to all those years ago, during the halcyon days of New Orleans R&B. Sneak a peak at the orgasmic grimace Ford makes at minute 2:18 during longtime Allen Toussaint sideman and Chocolate Milk member Amadee Castenell‘s masterful tenor solo, which Ford introduces with the phrase “Now we gonna play one for your hangover.” Apparently, Castenell’s sax had the cure for Ford’s aches and pains.

Ooo-wee, baby — can’t wait! Gretna’s favorite and possibly most famous son is cruising over from the West Bank to the Howlin’ Wolf in New Orleans’ Warehouse District for his first appearance at the Ponderosa Stomp this year. Find yourself a designated driver and come.

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Song of the Day: “Who Can I Run To” by Gerri Hall, R&B siren for Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdZUAGnZC2U Meet that famed siren from Huey “Piano” Smith’s Clowns, New Orleans’ own Gerri Hall, lip-synching her song “Who Can I Run To” on “The!!!! Beat” show circa 1966, long after her Clown days. The song was written by another Ponderosa Stomp favorite, Bobby Parker of “Barefootin’” fame, produced by Wardell Querzergue, and originally released … Continue reading Song of the Day: “Who Can I Run To” by Gerri Hall, R&B siren for Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns

Song of the Day: Isaac Hayes’ “Theme from Shaft,” featuring Skip Pitts’ ghetto-powered wah-wah guitar groove

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHbYLjWEEQA Isaac Hayes won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for “Theme from Shaft,” Gordon Parks’ 1971 blaxplotation masterpiece. Released as a double album by Stax Records’ Enterprise label, the mostly instrumental soundtrack became the best-selling LP ever released on a Stax … Continue reading Song of the Day: Isaac Hayes’ “Theme from Shaft,” featuring Skip Pitts’ ghetto-powered wah-wah guitar groove

Baby, let Slim Harpo’s secret weapon – Baton Rouge blues badass James Johnson – scratch your back at the Stomp

Baton Rouge blues giant James Johnson’s scheduled appearance at this year’s Ponderosa Stomp is perhaps one of the most highly anticipated performances in recent memory, especially because this amazing guitarist does not often travel outside Baton Rouge to perform. Everyone knows that bedrock of the 1960s Baton Rouge swamp-blues scene, Slim Harpo (James Moore), whose … Continue reading Baby, let Slim Harpo’s secret weapon – Baton Rouge blues badass James Johnson – scratch your back at the Stomp

How Jivin’ Gene squeezed swamp-pop gold from Huey Meaux’s toilet bowl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aratG24Qw58 Ponderosa Stomp fans know that the most magical sounds often emanate from the most primitive of conditions. Take, for instance, the flood of hits that flowed from the legendary 15-by-16-foot hole in the wall that comprised Cosimo Matassa’s original J&M recording studio on Rampart Street. The same with Eddie Shuler’s tiny Goldband studio, which … Continue reading How Jivin’ Gene squeezed swamp-pop gold from Huey Meaux’s toilet bowl