My friends Allen Vella and Susan Shaw co-host a New Orleans radio show every Friday afternoon at 4PM called "All That Gumbo." You can dial it up on WIOX, broadcasting out of the Catskills. Last Friday's show was truly exceptional because I heard some music that really fired me.
From a 2012 release called "Coal Black Train," give a listen to some music from the Mississippi Rail Company, recorded in the swamps of Maurice, Louisiana. This piano/bass/drums trio is/was led by Travers Geoffray and for a short time 15 years ago, it looked like this band might explode. As it turned out, the band imploded instead, with Travers stating that it felt more like a solo project with guys backing him than a band. But, an album does exist and it's a badass. And thanks to Susan and Allen, I got to hear something truly wonderful that prior to last Friday was nowhere on my radar.
This is a power trio, and their approach to New Orleans roots music has a very rock and roll side. It's hard and it's rowdy, and the band sounds remarkably fresh playing some very familiar music.
Travers went on to record a solo album a few years later, which started off as the follow-up Rail Company record. I'll get to that at some point after my enthusiasm over "Coal Black Train" wanes.
In the meantime, get in on this.
I love it!
ReplyDeleteCaptain Al
These three are very good. Will check out the album.
ReplyDelete- Paul in DK
Mississippi Rail Co. and Black Uhuru Anthem in the queue. Gonna be a good week.
ReplyDeleteKiller!
ReplyDeleteHad that when it was first released. Got a good amount of airplay on OZ and they played regularly at a few clubs for awhile (dba and the Spotted Cat for sure). There was a follow up ep that may have just been tracks from the same recording - the ep was not as good. They disappeared almost as quickly as they hit the scene.
ReplyDeleteLooks like they played Gasa Gasa as late as 2014.
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