Tox Tunes #88: Junco Partner (Professor Longhair)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG6gPe1plWQ
Professor Longhair (Henry “Roy” Byrd, 1918-1980) combined classic New Orleans rhythm and blues piano with Afro-Cuban funk to produce music that was exciting and utterly original. Many years ago, I was working in a research lab in New York City, living in a West Village studio that rented for $78 a month. (Yes, it was that long ago.) I hated killing rabbits for their prostaglandin, and it was sort of a bleak time.
But during that period I came across an oddly compelling record — New Orleans Piano by Professor Longhair. It was magical, and taught me that the world was strangely wilder and much more interesting than I had ever imagined, and that I’d better go in search for it. I owe a lot to the Professor.
I thought Fess was my own private discovery. But the world has caught on. Just recently I was surprised, and pleased, that his music was featured in an excellent Subaru commercial:
For a more concentrated dose of Fess, watch this episode of the PBS/WTTW-Chicago music show Soundstage from 1974. It features the Professor along with Dr. John, Earl King, and the Meters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPc-WR2sLi4
Related posts:
Junko Partner (Dr. John)
Junker’s Blues (Champion Jack Dupree)
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical henry byrd junco partner junko partner professor longhair tox tunes Source Type: news