Gumbo Stew (2012)

Tracklist
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01. Olde Wine - AFO Executives
02. Mojo Hannah - Tami Lynn
03. Things Have Changed - Prince La La
04. Tee Na Na Na Na Nay - Eddie Bo
05. My Key Don't Fit - Dr John & Ronnie Barron
06. Mary - The Tick Tocks
07. All For One - Willie Tee
08. Private Eye - Wallace Johnson
09. The Pot - Dr John
10. Keep On Lovin' You - Pistol
11. Time Has Expired - Charles Carson
12. I'll Make A Bet - Nookie Boy
13. True Love - Robbie Lee
14. I Found Out - Willie Tee
15. Is It Too Late - The Tick Tocks
16. Tell Me The Truth - The Turquinettes
17. Tuned In, Turned On - Alvin Robinson
18. Give Her Up - Melvin Lastie And Harold Battiste With Cornell Dupree
19. Ignant - Cornell Dupree
20. Empty Talk - Alvin Robinson
21. I Shall Not Be Moved - Pastor


In the early '60s, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Harold Battiste (who had done some A&R for Specialty) formed the New Orleans-based AFO label with the intention of giving local artists a fairer deal via a Black-owned company. Only one true hit resulted, Barbara George's "I Know" (included here), but some solid New Orleans R&B was recorded during its brief time in operation. This is the first of three compilations of AFO material, including a couple of obscure performances by the young Dr. John, sides by second-tier Crescent City artists like Eddie Bo and Alvin Robinson, and several names known only to record collectors. Most of it's from the early '60s, although a few from the late '60s (when Battiste was a successful arranger on the West Coast) also sneak in. This disc isn't up to the level of the classics you'll find on the best vintage New Orleans R&B anthologies, but if you're the kind who plans your vacations around New Orleans music festivals, you won't be disappointed by what's on offer here.

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