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Digest's Pick for the 

Top 40 Mardi Gras Songs

Created on Wednesday, November 3rd,  2003

 

Song Backgrounds

The first song is very easy! It's by Professor longhair, and its entitled, "Big Chief". Over the seasons what has happened has been the separation of the instrumental side from the song, well no more. That stops now! I hate it when just because the CD or tape doesn't have enough room the song gets split. That's not the way, the professor intended for us to hear it, so we present it as one song.

The second tune, is just as easy!  "Street Parade!", by Earl King, should be the parade anthem for Carnival. I love this song, because it puts the message out, as to why I love Carnival so much! I love any parade, and Earl King just brings the reasons out one by one , why street parades in New Orleans are among the best in the world! Its not because of the pageantry, or the size, or even the colors or costumes. It's the people and the energy of the music and the movement. 

Soon Available for purchase from Digest
 Début  at # 6 on our chart

" New Suit ", by the Wild Magnolias, is the third entry on the stage. The song started a long love affair with us and the Mardi Gras Indians. It describes the tribes motivation behind the constructing of the feathered suits, at one point even telling us how tall the crowns are, and why they do what they do. "They're sold on Mardi Gras", and "We beautiful, I ain't lying", says the singer. They are too! He ain't lying!

The fourth song is just as easy. "Iko Iko" is an original version of a song that simply made the recording because the producers were ease dropping on the studio antics of the girl group, the Dixie Cups,  in between scheduled recording sessions. "We were just clowning around with it during a session using drumsticks on ashtrays. We didn't realize the Jerry and Mike had the tapes running "
said group member, Barbara Hawkins. It's interesting that the song was heard by the mother of one member being sung as a part of the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans. It may the the very first recording of a Tribal chant in it's pure form, with almost no help!

The Wild Magnolias, are one prolific group. A lion's share of the chant genre songs that are out there belong originally to this group. Such a song is our fifth song to come online for you and number (#) 33 on our list! "Firewater", tells of the absolute power that a chief wields in his tribe. A krewe captain, has nothing on these guys, went it comes to unbridled, unchecked, raw power. It is one of the best done chants I've ever heard though and holds it's own during the season.

The Little Rascal Brass Band are a sixth ward favorite that, started with the second line group, The Old and Nu Style Fellas about six years ago, and  has grown over the years. This band tells it like it is and doesn't try to sugar coat it for public consumption. That is the trait the community loves about  what this band does. They get the word out there, on what the condition of the sixth ward are about. This one tune, "Knock with me......Rock with me", became the virtual Brass Band anthem when it debuted.  In Carnival, the funky beat, plus the story, made it an instant hit for second lining too.  Enjoy the fun side of REAL Second Line music! Once you hear this tune, You're be hooked on the Brass Band genre.

Cyril Neville is one of the local base of Musicians here in New Orleans. Being from the Crescent City it is only natural that he knows the area, and it's history. When he sings, "Congo Square", you can hear the history as he sings, "a warrior can run and hide, even when he's scared", and as he sings, " I will not forget, the pounding of the shackled feet, the screaming for the rain, the striking of a young man's heels, the life flowing from his veins". It almost puts you in the square all those years ago. This is one song you want to learn, if you want to get to know the African - American.

What is it with STOP, Inc.! These guys know how to put a Mardi Gras tune together, and although they haven't been around for a while now we'll still reeling from the Second Line!

Here's our Complete list of Out Top 40 Mardi Gras Songs

Mardi Gras Digest's Pick for Top 40 Mardi Gras songs and Mardi Gras music across the Gulf Coast:  

 
  1) Big Chief Part - Professor Longhair    
  2) Carnival Time - Al Johnson 
  3) Street Parade - Earl King 
  4) I Luv me sum Mardi Gras - Tha Nu Jaz Orda
  5) OOOOH Na Nay - Tha New Jazz Orda   
  6) New Suit - The Wild Magnolias 
  7)  Fire Water  - The Wild Magnolias
  8)Second Line - Stop, Inc.
  9) Go To The Mardi Gras - Professor Longhair
  10) Ain't My Fault - Olympia Brass Band
  11) Iko Iko - Dixie Cups -(the original still reigns champ )
  12) Hey Pocky - nay - Meters
  13) Congo Square  - Cyril Nevil
  14) Mardi Gras In New Orleans - Dirty Dozen Brass Band
  15) They All Ask For You - Meters
  16) Ain't there no more - Benny Grunch Bunch
  17) Tipitina - Professor Longhair 
  18) Mardi Gras in Mobile - Ray Farnell & the Moon Pie Band
  19) Project Love -  Rebirth Brass Band
  20) Mardi Gras Medley - Mardi Gras Big Shots
  21) Fire on the Bayou - The Neville Brothers
  22) Mardi Gras City - Olympia Brass Band
  23) South Rampart Street Parade
  24) Walking to New Orleans - Fats Domino
  25) Handa Wanda Part 1 - Bo Dollis Wild Magnolias Indians
  26) Handa Wanda Part 2 - Bo Dollis Wild Magnolias Indians
  27) New Second Line - Olympia Brass Band
  28)