We spent the last few weeks getting all het up over Carnival so the peace and quiet of Lent is most welcome. We’ve cast aside frivolity and pleasure seeking for quiet reflection and wool-gathering.

Until this Friday when raucous fish fry parties erupt across the city for the entire Lenten season.

We’re sliding into Lundi Gras with Eddie Bo on the Hi Fi.

Little Richard may have made “Slipping and Sliding” aka “I’m Wise” famous but it’s Bo’s version that still rules the 9th Ward pirate radio station airwaves some 64 years later.

The Wild Magnolias LP “They Call Us Wild” is crucial Carnival season listening, and “Two Way Pak E Way” is pure fire. Put this one your turntable with full risk of burning your home to the ground.

Only a few precious days remain til Ash Wednesday rears up on us and we have to solemnly file into the nearest church with our daiquiri go cup precariously balanced on the nearest ledge.

Check out 16 year old Art Neville (RIP) singing “Mardi Gras Mambo” by the Hawketts on one of the greatest Carnival cuts ever recorded.

Can y’all believe it came out 66 years ago?

Happy birthday to Bobby Charles, the Abbeville, Louisiana native who wrote dozens of the greatest songs ever committed to vinyl including “Walking To New Orleans.”

He was born today in 1938.

The backstory on “Walking…” is one of the greatest in the history of Deep South r&b, soul or swamp pop…whatever you want to call it – Charles was one of the finest at it to ever draw a breath.

Dig on Charles old LP “Rice N Gravy,” that’s Willie’s band backing him up with Neil Young rocking it. “The Mardi Gras Song” is one of the top tracks.

Happy Carnival Y’all. Put on some Allen Toussaint this afternoon. “Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta” is a good way to get the party started.

We’ve dialed up Mahalia Jackson singing “How I Got Over” on a cloudy Carnival afternoon in the 9th Ward of New Orleans. Continue Reading