The Wild Magnolias - The Wild Magnolias (Remastered) (1974/2024) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

New Orleans is synonymous with music and Mardi Gras. The Wild Magnolias have both fronts covered. The roots of the Wild Magnolias go back to, at least, the 1950s as one of New Orleans most popular and colorful Indian Krewes . The Krewes fall under the guidance of a Chief, and Bo Dollis has been the Chief of the Wild Magnolias since the mid-60s. With a voice reminiscent of Sam Cooke and the flamboyance you d expect at any given Mardi Gras, Bo and the Wild Magnolias rose to great heights in the 70s in a reign that continues to this day. The Wild Magnolias run as a recording act started in 1970 with the "Handa Wanda" 45 for the Crescent City imprint. In addition to a traditional Mardi Gras percussion lineup featuring everything from drums to beer bottles, Bo and the Wild Magnolias pulled in some prominent local talent as backup including Willie Tee and Snooks Eaglin. The cut became a Mardi Gras staple and lead to the French imprint Barclays (with distribution via Polygram) to sign the Krewe for this, the finest recording in the Wild Magnolias long and storied career. The album took Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias from a New Orleans phenomena to a global force with the lead single "Smoke My Peace Pipe (Smoke it Right)" appearing on the Billboard charts. The Magnolias have even had a lasting effect on the world of hip hop with "Corey Died On The Battlefield" and "(Somebody Got) Soul, Soul, Soul" being sampled by artists such as Schoolly D, 3rd Bass, Geto Boys and the Jungle Brothers. With this reissue culled from the original master Get On Down turns every Tuesday into Fat Tuesday.

"This debut marked a milestone for New Orleans music as it was one of the first major-label records from a Mardi Gras Indian tribe; this was soon to be followed by another great tribe band, the Wild Tchoupitoulas. Not to be confused with Native American tribes, the Mardi Gras Indians are part of an African-American gangland tradition dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. What began as street confrontations resulting in brawls developed into something more formal, with elaborate handmade costumes and song contests. Beginning as a practice group formed by leader Big Chief Theodore "Bo" Dollis and Joseph "Monk" Boudreaux of the Golden Eagles tribe, the Wild Magnolias caught the eye of local promoters and were recorded in 1973 with the New Orleans Project. The tribe consisted of Dollis and Boudreaux on lead vocals, with the former on tambourine and the latter on congas; with James "Gator June" Smothers or "Gate" Johnson, Jr., "Crip" Adams, and "Bubba" Scott all on background vocals and percussion instruments. They were backed by the New Orleans Project, which featured some of the cream of the studio crop in the Crescent City: guitarist Snooks Eaglin, Earl Turbinton, Jr. on reeds and winds, Willie Tee on keyboards, percussion, and background vocals, bassist Julius Farmer , drummer Larry Panna, conguero Alfred "Uganda" Roberts, and Norwood "Gitchie" Johnson on bass drum. Dollis and Boudreaux lead the group through the Indians' street call and response chants, which become mantra atop a series of furiously funky, extended New Orleans grooves. Along with inspired originals like "Handa Wanda," the traditional numbers such as "Two Way Pak E Way," and historical numbers such as "Saints" ("When the Saints Come Marching In") and "Shoo Fly" ("Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me") are radically and steamily re-arranged to provide maximum party flavor. This is an exciting non-stop dancefest and an excellent introduction for anyone interested in the music of the Big Easy." (Thom Jurek, AMG)

Digitally remastered.

Tracklist:
1. Handa Wanda (4:42)
2. Smoke My Peace Pipe (Smoke It Right) (6:55)
3. Two Way Pak E Way (7:51)
4. Corey Died On The Battlefield (5:03)
5. Soul, Soul, Soul (6:18)
6. Saints (8:48)


Thanks to the Original customer!