Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Bald Head - Roy Byrd & His Blues Jumpers
2. Hadacol Bounce - Roy Byrd & His Blues Jumpers
3. Tipitina
4. In the Night - Professor Longhair, Professor Longhair & His Blues Scholars
5. Ball the Wall
6. Who's Been Fooling You
7. Hey Now Baby
8. Hey Little Girl - Roland Byrd
9. Walk Your Blues Away - Professor Longhair & His Blues Scholars
10. She Walks Right In - Roy Byrd
11. Willie Mae - Roland Byrd
12. Professor Longhair Blues - Professor Longhair & His Blues Scholars
13. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
14. No Buts, No Maybes
15. Misery
16. Looka, No Hair
17. Cuttin' Out
18. Go to the Mardi Gras
19. There Is Something on Your Mind
20. Big Chief, Pt. 2
21. Hey Little Girl [Live]
22. Hey Now Baby [Live] - Professor Longhair & His Blues Scholars, Professor Longhair

Disc 2:

1. Mardi Gras in New Orleans
2. Junco Partner
3. How Long Has That Train Been Gone
4. Stag-O-Lee
5. Meet Me Tomorrow Night
6. (They Call Me) Dr. Professor Longhair
7. Mess Around
8. Cry to Me
9. Whole Lotta Lovin'
10. Every Day I Have the Blues
11. Got My Mojo Working
12. Thank You Pretty Baby
13. Sick and Tired
14. Mean Old World
15. Tipitina [Live]
16. Big Chief [Live]
17. Rum and Coca-Cola [Version 2]
18. Boogie Woogie

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19563 in Music
• Released on: 1993-11-16
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.com
New Orleans' Henry Roeland Byrd wasn't the most polished of all the great R&B pianists of the '40s and '50s, but even Ray Charles and Otis Spann rarely matched his speed. This superb two-disc set repeats the Professor's signature style--a stomping left-hand bass and a right hand that flies all over the place--on classics such as "Tipitina," "Junco Partner," and "Ball the Wall." It begins in the early '50s, when 'Fess called his band Roy Byrd & His Blues Jumpers, and ends with an incredible, stretched-out live version of "Big Chief" (with Dr. John) and "Boogie Woogie" (with fellow New Orleans pianists Allen Toussaint and Tuts Washington). --Steve Knopper

Customer Reviews

hey now baby
I'd never heard note one of Fess' music when I bought this set. My gut said it would be good, and my gut turned out to be Nostradamus. The fact that this guy ever had trouble making ends meet is a testament to how upside down the music industry can be. I try to be sparing with the stars, and there is no doubt that this set deserves all five. This is pure good time music. The man was a party on the piano. I carried the CD with me everywhere I went for the first week I owned it. In my car, in my room, in other people's cars (I insisted, no one complained), in other people's rooms. Jerry Lee Lewis is nothing but watered down 'Fess. Take yours straight.

By far the most played CD I own
This music is the richest sounding music the human ear has ever had the pleasure of hearing. From the Hadacol Bounce to Cuttin' out to Tipitina to etc. and beyond, every cut is played with that special Rhumba Boogie shuffle with the Proffessor singing at the top of his lungs. Whooaaahhh Lalalala. A whole lotta uh uh for you. This is the joy music was meant to be. And you too will be a Fess Fan! Just ask Fats Domino and John Bonham.

A Legend
I have listened to this CD dozens of times in the last few months. Its joyous and uplifting yet still reflects some of the pain in the Professor's life. The little book with pictures and a mini biography that are included are worth the price of the 2 CD set. After listening once, you'll want to head to the Big Easy, stop at Tipitina's, and rub Fess' head for good luck. Those of you who have been there know what I'm talking about. The man is a true legend.