There's no way around it, Mardi Gras runs the New Orleans economy. Of course, the main feature is a King Cake. 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 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. And so in this manner, small groups of dedicated Mardi Gras revelers meet once a week right up to the big day, itself. Kim Ruehl is a folk music writer whose writing has appeared in Billboard, West Coast Performer, and NPR. ", The appearance of the Mardi Gras Indians are just one of many things that happen on Mardi Gras Day. By using LiveAbout, you accept our, 10 Classic, Authentic New Orleans Mardi Gras Songs, The 10 Best Rock Instrumentals of the 1960s, Top 10 Cities for a Girls' Weekend Getaway, Important Albums of the 1960s Folk Revival, A Quick Guide to the Origin and History of Halloween, The History of African-American Folk Music, Ultimate Rebirth Brass Band (Rebirth Brass Band). zynjen. 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. The big night parades that occur just a few days before Mardi Gras are some of the most enjoyable events of Carnival season. Their inspiration comes from hundreds of years of Carnivale music that drive the American Mardi Gras celebration. Music is a diverse form of expression that takes in many styles. For many years, the African-American population in New Orleans held a separate carnival from the one the whites celebrated on Canal Street. For most participants, Mardi Gras night is anti-climatic. In the days before the big event, there are numerous parties and balls sponsored by various krewes. 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. 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! Finally, there is a popular tune, named "Joe Avery Blues," which is more often referred to as "The Second Line Song." "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. Musically, nothing defines New Orleans jazz better than the second line. 3 Answers. "Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler," literally means "let the good times roll." 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. Complete with whistling and second-line drumming, this song is one of the staples of the Mardi Gras celebration. Mardi Gras Mambo—The Hawketts. The most important of the cake is a small plastic baby, baked right into the dessert; for whoever receives the little infant has to host the next king cake party. "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. All during Mardi Gras, there will be music in the air. If you are fortunate enough to attend one of these gatherings, they can be a lot of fun and even a bit magical, as Dr. John so aptly describes in his song titled "Such a Night.". 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. "When the Saints" would traditionally be played slowly as a dirge on the way to the graveyard, and would be sped up and played in a celebratory tone at the end of the funeral. Al Johnson, "Carnival Time" Even in New Orleans itself, Al's only known for this one song, which, like … 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. And if you visit the Big Easy before the Lenten season begins, every one expects you to spend some cash. In the old days, the meetings could sometimes turn violent, but in modern times, confrontations have evolved into ritual dancing and singing. In reality, the second line is two things. And if you happen to be in the Crescent City around Mardi Gras time, it's a phrase you will hear mentioned many times. It's a popular field that can only be briefly sampled in a short article. 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. Dixieland jazz is a classic style of utilizing the second line to create an overall symphonic effect. "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. 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. This is an old-time jazz number, played in the Dixieland manner, yet it features a distinctive lead arrangement. Many residents of the Crescent city, initiate their Mardi Gras with a simple get together in early January. They All Ask’d for You is a track on The Meters’ sixth studio … 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. Black Mardi Gras took place on Claiborne Avenue, which bordered the Treme and other predominantly African-American neighborhoods. Newcomers to New Orleans might be surprised that all kinds or celebrations occur throughout the city and its surrounding townships. 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. LiveAbout uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. 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. Though "Second Line" and "Go to the Mardi Gras" are relatively newer compositions, they have become deeply entrenched in the traditions surrounding this annual celebration. Following are two other videos. 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. When I first moved to New Orleans, "Jambalaya," the much-venerated Hank Williams hit, could be heard everywhere. Zulu is an all-African-American krewe (actually a "Social Aid and Pleasure Club") whose parade includes the tossing of golden coconuts and is one of the biggest draw parades on Mardi Gras morning. Recorded on the Ric label, Al Johnson’s “Carnival Time” hit the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras of 1960. "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. The parades are over, some bars are closing early, and many party-goers begin thinking about Ash Wednesday, which follows Fat Tuesday. Here are some of the great traditional songs that have become synonymous with American Mardi Gras. One explains the second line, while the other features The Dirty Dozen Bras Band performing "Blackbird Special. Top Six Mardi Gras Songs of All Time. In 1946, Louis Jordan recorded a popular tune called "Let the Good Times Roll." There are, of course, hundreds of songs commemorating Mardi Gras and celebrating the rich cultures and traditions of New Orleans. Ah, Mardi Gras. Following is a classic Dixieland style Jazz tune, called "Bourbon Street Parade." 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. 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. "Don't let anybody play me cheap, I got 50 cents more than I'm going to keep." 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. Over the course of a day, revelers will likely hear the same song played over and over again. A time honored tradition marked by booze, beads, boobies, and other pre-Lent debauchery. Although not specifically about New Orleans, this song captures the spirit of the day very well. 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.
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