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Fats Domino
“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”

Being from Louisiana has given me an acute sensitivity to anything related to it. Today is Mardi Gras. I’ve decided to feature a song sung by a New Orleans native — fats Domino.

If you remember, Fats stayed home during Hurricane Katrina because of his wife’s poor health. They live in the lower 9th ward of New orleans — one of the worst areas struck by the HUrricane. They lost everything.

It is reported that over 700,000 revelers attended Mardi Gras this year. Thanks for supporting New Orleans and Louisiana.

Louis Jordan
“Is you is or is you aint my baby”

I gave this some thought. Where to go after “secret agent” week? Jazz/Blues Standards. You may be hearing things that are a bit obvious and played but they’ll be fun.

This particular song was probably my first exposure to “Jump Blues”, or any blues for that matter. When I was a kid, Tom & Jerry was always on the tube. There was a particular episode in which a female cat came onto the show and Tom sang this song to her. I remember thinking it was hilarious.

Louis Jordan was one of the biggest musical acts of the 1940s. He also played saxophone — That’s why he gets to kick off this week’s music.

Cab Calloway
“Minnie the Moocher”

Good old Cab. This is fun music for sure. He was an extraordinary scat singer, as well as a band leader at the Cotton Club, in New York City.

I’ve always liked this song.

Ray Charles
“This Little Girl of Mine”

Ray Charles was amazing. He did wonders for musicians during his time. The movie “Ray” brought to light many of the struggles Ray had as an artist. One of which was the opposition he faced when he started mixing gospel (mostly negro spirituals) with his music. This track “This little girl of mine” is very similar in parts to a song called “This little light of mine” (I’m gonna let it shine). It highlights the very simple method ray used to inject music of the time with a bit of soul – a bit of Ray’s own upbringing – into his music. It was a simple mixing, but it changed music forever.

Ray’s contribution to music is without measure.

Big Mama Thornton
“Hound Dog”

Where do you think Elvis got it from? That’s right — Big Mama Thornton. She wrote the original “Hound Dog”.

Like a lot of musicians in her time, she started in the (baptist) church. Her father was the minister. She started singing young and ran away at the age of 14 to start her career in secular (gasp!) music.

She could belt it.

Nina Simone
“I want a little sugar in my bowl”

A few weeks ago I was in the Dominican Republic second-shooting a wedding with Dallas Wedding Photographer Stacy Reeves. We had an absolute blast!

During the reception, a lot of great music was played. One of the songs I had never heard was this one by Nina Simone – “I want a little sugar in my bowl”. I just thought I should share it with everyone here. Sit back, grab your loved one, and dive into this tune.

I hope you enjoy.