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about
Henry Roeland Byrd (1918-1980), better known as Professor Longhair, was one of the coolest piano players to come out of New Orleans since Jelly Roll Morton. Along with Fats Domino, James Booker and Allen Toussaint (to name a few), he had his own unmistakable style that people here still listen to every day and pianists the world over still study and try to imitate. His music, like that of the Crescent City, marries Caribbean elements coming mainly from Cuba and Haiti with the Blues floating downriver from the Mississippi Delta.
Where the Blues usually makes its way to a IV7 chord within the 1st few bars (which gives the tune that distinctive flatted 3rd color) a lot of Creole music toggles back and forth between the I and V7 chords. Such is the case with today's selection, "No Buts, No Maybes" although it does roll out over an up-tempo Blues shuffle groove.
This track features Ben on the vocal as the beleaguered male pleading his case. If you've heard Fess's original version, you'll recognize the horn lick that recurs several times. Plus there's a hot chorus with Charlie and Aurora trading fours on trombone and alto sax followed by Matt having the last word on the tuba. "What you want poor little me to do?" Also check out Michael comping on the accordion, giving the track a real flowing groove and a bit of a Zydeco flavor. You can hear him shining through between phrases of the horn lick and the vocal.
lyrics
No Buts, No Maybes
Baby, no buts and no maybes
Lately you been driving me crazy
What have I done to you?
Honey, I ain't got no more money
But lately you been acting funny
Can't do a thing with you
Every time that we go out
This is all you talk about
Things I did and things I do
What you want poor little me to do?
credits
from
Song-of-the-Month Club: Good Music For You,
track released August 1, 2018
Recorded June 19, 2018 at Oak Street Recording, New Orleans, LA
Panorama Jazz Band:
Ben Schenck - Vocal, Tambourine, Clarinet
Aurora Nealand - Alto Saxophone
Charlie Halloran - Trombone
Michael Ward-Bergeman - Accordion
Gary Washington - Tenor Banjo
Matt Perrine - Tuba
Paul Thibodeaux - Drum Set
Music and lyrics by Henry Roeland Byrd (Professor Longhair Music) and arranged by Ben Schenck (Snack Daddy Music/ASCAP).
Recorded, edited, mixed and mastered by Lu Rojas at Oak Street
Recording, New Orleans, LA
Cover photo by Alex Pucciarelli
Graphic design by Ben Schenck
license
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