Are you getting excited to celebrate Mardi Gras on February 17? PCPL has you covered! We have a few CDs in the catalog, several great Mardi Gras/New Orleans songs available in freegal, and we even have an upcoming lecture all about New Orleans music and culture! Read on to learn more about the Mardi Gras resources at your library!
Carnival in New Orleans comes with a seasonal catalog of songs that, unfortunately, most of the country knows nothing of. I am here to try to remedy that situation and introduce you Tucsonans to the marvelous music of Carnival season!
The first item in our collection that is of interest is the aptly named Mardi Gras Essentials.
Mardi Gras Essentials
This collection of Mardi Gras favorites includes what I consider to be the Mardi Gras Theme Song, "Do Whatcha Wanna Pt. 2" by the Rebirth Brass Band. Other favorites include Professor Longhair's "Go To the Mardi Gras" and "Carnival Time" by Al Johnson. Dr. John contributes a good version (though not my favorite) of "Mardi Gras Day."
Other CDs in the collection which will help you get in the Mardi Gras mood are Al Hirt at The Mardi Gras and On a Mardi Gras Day by Dr. John.
Al Hirt at the Mardi Gras On A Mardi Gras Day
Moving over to Freegal, Ultimate Mardi Gras has several selections, including another version of the Mardi Gras Theme Song, "Do Whatcha Wanna," and "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" by the Olympia Brass Band. Another offering from Freegal features Mardi Gras Indian and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux. Mardi Gras Indian Funk is well worth a listen. While not specifically a Mardi Gras collection, Ultimate New Orleans Brass Second Line Funk!, with a wonderful variety of brass bands, can pretty much act as a Mardi Gras soundtrack as well. Finally, no Mardi Gras music collection would be complete without Kermit Ruffins singing "Do the Fat Tuesday." This version is off The Barbecue Swingers Live CD available on Freegal. There are more great tunes on that album as well.
If you want to learn more about Mardi Gras, Second Lines, Mardi Gras Indians and the rich and musical heritage of New Orleans, come to Himmel Park Library at 6:00 on Monday, February 9 for The Birthplace of Jazz and So Much More: New Orleans Music and Culture.
Eat up those King Cakes and enjoy your Carnival Season, Tucson!