Video: Professor Longhair, Earl King, Dr. John – “Big Chief”

by uwmryan on 29. Oct, 2008 in News, Video

Few tunes are so genuinely New Orleans as the Earl King penned “Big Chief.” Though King wrote the song, it was made famous and catapulted to legendary status by Professor Longhair in 1964. Below, Dr. John calls on Earl King to join Professor Longhair and The Meters for an evening closing version of “Big Chief.” Basically, you’re seeing the DNA of New Orleans music as we know it today all on stage together. Good stuff.

Since we’re on the subject. I’m looking to expand my New Orleans music collection and am seeking your recommended artists and albums. If you’ve got something our ears should hear, please do drop us a comment.

Side Note: If the song sounds familiar to you, it could be by way of Lily Allen’s “Knock ‘Em Out,” which sampled the driving piano part that makes the song such a beauty.

Tags: , , ,

9 Responses to “Video: Professor Longhair, Earl King, Dr. John – “Big Chief””

  1. the night owl 29. Oct, 2008 at 1:46 pm #

    The first and last place to start any New Orleans music library is with Antoine “Fats” Domino. One of the more influential figures in rock ‘n roll. In addition to the names listed in your post, I’d also check out Irma Thomas, The Neville Brothers, Bobby Charles, Clarence “Frogman” Henry. And because he lived there briefly as a youth, and New Orleans’ sound is a key influence, Randy Newman. Finally, although not rock ‘n roll, everyone should own music from the most famous New Orleans native of them all, Louis Armstrong.

  2. JB 29. Oct, 2008 at 3:28 pm #

    Thanks for the post! Dr. John’s album “Gris Gris” is a classic and Professor Longhair’s “Live on the Queen Mary” is a great album as well.

  3. New Orleans Ladder 29. Oct, 2008 at 4:36 pm #

    The New Orleans Bingo! Show
    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=16877295
    http://neworleansbingoshow.blogspot.com/

    Home of the Groove
    http://homeofthegroove.blogspot.com/

    wwoz.org

    Thanks,
    Editilla~New Orleans Ladder

  4. John 29. Oct, 2008 at 7:36 pm #

    Depends on what kind of New Orleans music you’re talking about, but The
    Jazz Vipers are fantastic, as are The Red Stick Ramblers (Baton Rouge)
    and the Zydepunks.

  5. New Orleans Ladder 29. Oct, 2008 at 8:22 pm #

    I’m wit’John… hard call where do you stop when it just doesn’t stop?
    Jus’don stop…
    Those Vipers
    Grayson Capps
    Slewfoot & Carrie B
    Ratty Scurvics
    Jon Cleary

    Jeez Louie we could be here for days… :)
    but what a way to go,
    Editilla

  6. Porter 30. Oct, 2008 at 8:19 am #

    James Booker
    Eddie Bo

  7. Bruce 30. Oct, 2008 at 9:17 am #

    Definitely a lot of music from the Big Easy worth listening to. I’d add Snooks Eaglin to the mix, especially the Smithsonian Folkways acoustic records.

  8. Shannon 31. Oct, 2008 at 3:51 am #

    You might check out the Wild Tchoupitoulas album. It’s a big favorite of mine.

    And there’s nothing that makes me miss living in New Orleans like listening to Anders Osborne. It’s perfect sweltering summer night on the porch swing music.

    Especially check out:

    Me & Lola
    Ash Wednesday Blues
    Summertime in New Orleans
    Don’t Pray For Me
    Louisiana Rain
    Through and Through

  9. NOLAtunes 26. Feb, 2009 at 12:27 pm #

    Great Blog!
    Yeah ya rite!
    New Orleans Music Store

Leave a Reply