But as the years rolled on, "Mardi Gras Mambo," a Latin-styled tribute, became more popular and then that song gave way to Professor Longhair's whistling classic, "Go To the Mardi Gras." One of the African-American krewes developed the tradition of the Mardi Gras Indians to pay homage to local native tribes that had helped runaway slaves before the Civil War. This is an old-time jazz number, played in the Dixieland manner, yet it features a distinctive lead arrangement. In tradition, the second line is a derivative of the "jazz funerals" and, as MardiGrasUnmasked.com puts it, the "uninvited guests whom everyone expects to show up." New Orleans lives for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras Mambo—The Hawketts. Recorded on the Ric label, Al Johnson’s “Carnival Time” hit the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras of 1960. Each of these songs integrates elements of traditional music with the intent of simply celebrating, dancing, and having a good old time — and that's what Mardi Gras is all about. Ah, Mardi Gras. ", The appearance of the Mardi Gras Indians are just one of many things that happen on Mardi Gras Day. While it ... Go to the Mardi Gras—Professor Longhair. Check out the first video, which features the Excelsior Jazz Band performing on stage and playing "The Second Line Song" along with a second number. She is also the Community Manager for the folk music magazine NoDepression. Dixieland jazz is a classic style of utilizing the second line to create an overall symphonic effect. In reality, the second line is two things. The date for these congenial parties is the Twelfth Night or more precisely the twelfth day of Christmas, which, if my math is correct, falls on January 6th. This song, written by Professor Longhair — one of New Orleans' greatest musical treasures — brings together two of Mardi Gras's richest traditions: the Zulu parade and second-lining. Even though New Orleans revelers don't parade through the French Quarter till Mardi Gras Day, I will include the tune here, because the Bourbon Kings were an important French dynasty and after all New Orleans is a Fleur de Lis city. Top Six Mardi Gras Songs of All Time. Mardi Gras is a French phrase meaning "Fat Tuesday," and in the most simple terms, it's so named to commemorate the last opportunity to get your partying in before giving up some sin for the Catholic holiday of Lent. 3 Answers. Traditional New Orleans funerals include a march from the funeral home to the graveyard, complete with a band and people carrying the coffin. Kim Ruehl is a folk music writer whose writing has appeared in Billboard, West Coast Performer, and NPR. They All Ask’d for You is a track on The Meters’ sixth studio … Early on Mardi Gras Day, down in the Ninth Ward occurs one of Mardi Gras's most eclectic events, the appearance of the various Black Indian tribes. Following is a classic Dixieland style Jazz tune, called "Bourbon Street Parade." When I first moved to New Orleans, "Jambalaya," the much-venerated Hank Williams hit, could be heard everywhere. Ash Wednesday in New Orleans most likely brings with it, a return to work and a visit to a local church to acknowledge the first day of Lent. Although not specifically about New Orleans, this song captures the spirit of the day very well. Black Mardi Gras took place on Claiborne Avenue, which bordered the Treme and other predominantly African-American neighborhoods. LiveAbout uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. It's believed that they landed in the place that would become New Orleans on Lundi Gras which is the day before the day before Lent, or "Fat Monday.". Thats good and upbeat!! All during Mardi Gras, there will be music in the air. Complete with whistling and second-line drumming, this song is one of the staples of the Mardi Gras celebration. I do Synchronized Swimming, (if any of ya'll know what that is), and i'm swimming a routine to New Orleans music soo i need some music haha. Originally the staple parade from Black Mardi Gras in Congo Square, Zulu now ends up on Canal Street like all the other major parades. Thanks! A combination of two different numbers, "Picou's Blues" and "Whuppin' Blues," and "Second Line" parts 1 and 2, have become some of the most widely played songs by brass bands in New Orleans parades and second lines on Mardi Gras day and throughout the year. zynjen. Relevance. The traditions surrounding the celebration of Mardi Gras in Louisiana stretch back all the way to the founding of New Orleans by the brother explorers d'Iberville and Bienville. "Iko Iko" is a song about the Mardi Gras Indians, mimicking the languages of the local Native Americans, and paying homage to this deeply rooted tradition. Today's the day to eat, drink, and be merry, so we thought of five songs to accompany your Mardi Gras party. :) Answer Save. What are some popular/upbeat New Orleans/Mardi Gras Songs? Over the course of a day, revelers will likely hear the same song played over and over again. Also known in French as le gateau de Rois, this popular pastry is nothing more than a simple cake, baked in a ring shape, and covered with sweet confectionery. Then there are the second line dancers that will follow a big brass band as it marches through the street. Here are some of the great traditional songs that have become synonymous with American Mardi Gras. "When the Saints Go Marching In" Since its inception, New Orleans has been a predominantly Catholic town, and "When the Saints Go Marching In" started out as a religious song played during funerals. Much of it will be live, but every little corner store and coffee shop will be getting in the spirit and contributing in their small way with at least a few Mardi Gras songs, broadcast from the premises. Following are two other videos. The band and the mourners dance down the street, joined by an ever-growing crowd of people who dance through town to bury the deceased and celebrate the living. Many of the marching bands participating in Mardi Gras parades will perform "When the Saints" as an homage to their hometown of New Orleans. Just as the song says, Claiborne and Dumaine is a hot spot for the Mardi Gras Indians, who have divided themselves into the distinct tribes, based primarily on the closely-knit neighborhood, where each tribe lives. And if you happen to be in the Crescent City around Mardi Gras time, it's a phrase you will hear mentioned many times. Since its inception, New Orleans has been a predominantly Catholic town, and "When the Saints Go Marching In" started out as a religious song played during funerals. And so in this manner, small groups of dedicated Mardi Gras revelers meet once a week right up to the big day, itself. For many years, the African-American population in New Orleans held a separate carnival from the one the whites celebrated on Canal Street. In fact, it's a motto that should be practiced by everybody, for first and foremost, Mardi Gras is all about having a good time. The musical elements of the holiday come from the slew of cultures that predominate the city. Family-friendly parades dominate the Carnival day festivities, but bar-hopping, dancing in the street, public consumption of alcohol and bawdy merrymaking are also part of the celebration, especially in the French Quarter. They All Ask’d for You by The Meters. For musicians, it is a style of improvisation, where the player varies from the main melody in a way which is still coherent with the spirit of the song. Jock-A … This silly song was appointed the official song of Mardi Gras back when the Krewe of Rex first organized in the late 1800s, appointing a king, a Mardi Gras flag and the colors green, gold and purple, representing faith, power and justice. One explains the second line, while the other features The Dirty Dozen Bras Band performing "Blackbird Special. Musically, nothing defines New Orleans jazz better than the second line. So let loose, shake what your mama gave you and get down to these tunes inspired by Fat Tuesday: Britney Spears - I Love Rock 'N' Roll In case y'all didn't know, BritBrit hails from Louisiana, so we know she'll be celebrating Mardi Gras tonight! In 1946, Louis Jordan recorded a popular tune called "Let the Good Times Roll." Carnival Time—Al Johnson. "Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler," literally means "let the good times roll." Since then, Mardi Gras and New Orleans have gone hand-in-hand. It's a popular field that can only be briefly sampled in a short article. The song "Second Line," however, is a song that was popularized by Stop, Inc., in the 1970s. "If Ever I Cease to Love" was the official anthem of that year's Rex parade, and has since been considered one of the staple tunes of Mardi Gras. If you've ever walked down Canal Street on Mardi Gras day, you know what I'm talking about. In the old days, the meetings could sometimes turn violent, but in modern times, confrontations have evolved into ritual dancing and singing. For most participants, Mardi Gras night is anti-climatic. The parades are over, some bars are closing early, and many party-goers begin thinking about Ash Wednesday, which follows Fat Tuesday. A time honored tradition marked by booze, beads, boobies, and other pre-Lent debauchery. "Don't care if you're young or old," is a line from this song that aptly applies to the big celebration on Fat Tuesday. Newcomers to New Orleans might be surprised that all kinds or celebrations occur throughout the city and its surrounding townships. Their inspiration comes from hundreds of years of Carnivale music that drive the American Mardi Gras celebration. Combine this popular, outdoor celebration with the rich music of the city and the result is a lively, collection of upbeat songs that captures the spirit of the day. Finally, there is a popular tune, named "Joe Avery Blues," which is more often referred to as "The Second Line Song." Happy Fat Tuesday, everyone! Almost from the beginning, the gumbo of French, Canadian, American and Caribbean cultures have influenced the music of New Orleans and its Mardi Gras celebration. The King Cake is really a fairly simple, sweet treat. Music is a diverse form of expression that takes in many styles. 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