BURBANK, CA. (Nonesuch Records) - "A terrific album of original performances by native Louisianans" - Newsweek
"An album full of mourning, obstinacy and longing for redemption" - The New York Times
"A moving record, its power derived largely from the choice of material" - The Times (UK)
"The album serves as a gratifying reminder of how valid New Orleans artistic contributions were, and are - and why the city and its people deserve to be saved." - Entertainment Weekly
Nonesuch Records is releasing a benefit album of newly recorded songs featuring artists from the New Orleans music community - across a wide variety of styles - to document the depth, richness, and profound musicality of that unique city. Net proceeds from the sale of "Our New Orleans" will be donated to Habitat for Humanity International to aid those affected by the recent hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. A portion of those funds will be earmarked to help provide housing for New Orleans musicians through the recently announced Musicians' Village.
Several of New Orleans' best-known musicians have recorded songs that are integral to their lives and that express their feelings about the city and the recent events there. The album was made swiftly and simply, over the course of a month, in several one-day sessions in cities across the country. "Our New Orleans" will be released December 6, 2005. (The "Our New Orleans" track listing follows on the next page.)
For this special project, Nonesuch has joined forces with others in the artistic community. Nick Spitzer, host of "American Routes" - a nationally syndicated weekly public radio music show produced in New Orleans - contributed liner notes to the record, as did Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Ford, also a Crescent City resident.
Nonesuch's parent company - Warner Bros. Records, part of the Warner Music Group - is donating all of the production costs for "Our New Orleans" as part of the Group's larger efforts on behalf of hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast. Many others involved in creating the album are also generously donating their time and services.
"Our New Orleans":
1. Allen Toussaint - "Yes We Can Can" (producer, Joe Henry)
2. Dr. John - "World I Never Made" (producers, Mark Bingham/Hal Willner)
3. Irma Thomas - "Back Water Blues" (producer, Joe Henry)
4. Davell Crawford - "Gather by the River" (producers, Mark Bingham/Hal Willner)
5. Buckwheat Zydeco - "Cryin' in the Streets" (producer, Ry Cooder)
6. Dr. Michael White - "Canal Street Blues" (producers, Mark Bingham/Doug Petty)
7. Wild Magnolias - "Brother John Is Gone/Herc-Jolly-John" (producers, Doug Petty/Matt Sakakeeny)
8. Eddie Bo - "When the Saints Go Marching In" (producer, Nick Spitzer)
9. Dirty Dozen Brass Band - "My Feet Can't Fail Me Now" (producer, Joe Henry)
10. Carol Fran - "Tou' les jours ç'est pas la même" ("Every Day Is Not the Same") (producer, Nick Spitzer)
11. BeauSoleil - "L'ouragon" ("The Hurricane") (producers, Michael Doucet /Nick Spitzer)
12. Preservation Hall Jazz Band - "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans" (producers, Doug Petty/Matt Sakakeeny)
13. Charlie Miller - "Prayer for New Orleans" (producers, Mark Bingham/Hall Willner)
14. The Wardell Quezergue Orchestra featuring Donald Harrison - "What a Wonderful World" (producers, Joel Dorn/Adam Dorn)
15. Allen Toussaint - "Tipitina and Me" (producer, Joe Henry)
16. Randy Newman featuring the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra with members of the New York Philharmonic - "Louisiana 1927" (producer, Steve Epstein)
