Album of the Day

Born Henry Roeland Byrd, Professor Longhair was a seminal figure on the New Orleans scene, though one who had largely fallen into obscurity before his appearance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1971. Fess’ rediscovery was soon followed by recording sessions in Baton Rouge and Memphis, which would see release on CD in 1991 as MARDI GRAS IN BATON ROUGE. Ranging from signature songs like “Tipitina” and “Mardi Gras In New Orleans” to Big Easy-adjacent covers of Fats Domino and Hank Williams, the set revels in the singer-pianist’s distinctive mix of rhumba, mambo and boogie-woogie; Snooks Eaglin’s presence on guitar is an added bonus. The collection gets its first appearance on LP later this month with a Record Store Day 140-gram black vinyl version of MARDI GRAS IN BATON ROUGE.