Originally
released in 1978 on Harvest Records, Professor Longhair's Live on the Queen
Mary documents a legendary performance from the Venus and Mars album release
party thrown by Paul and Linda McCartney and Wings in 1975.
Live on the Queen Mary was recorded March 24, 1975 on its
titular cruise ship, while docked in Long Beach, California. Highlights include
the rollicking "Mess Around," the standards "Stagger Lee,"
"Everyday I Have the Blues," "I'm Movin' On," and Professor
Longhair's own hits "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" and
"Tipitina" about which Hugh Laurie writes, "Because that live
version of Tipitina, oh sweet Lord. If the record had nothing else on it, it
would still be a treasure beyond price."
Professor Longhair a/k/a Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd
(December 19, 1918 – January 30, 1980) was a New Orleans blues singer and
pianist. He was active in two distinct periods, first in the heyday of early
rhythm and blues and later on during the resurgence of interest in traditional
jazz surrounding the beginnings of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Professor Longhair's influence was crucial to many of his fellow New Orleans
musical legends, such as Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and Dr. John, all of whom
were touched by his rumba, mambo, and calypso piano based blues sound.
Live On The Queen Mary will be re-released April 5 via
Harvest / MPL across digital platforms, on CD and on newly remastered 180gram
vinyl LP. The album will feature a foreword by Hugh Laurie, as will the limited
edition "Long Live Fess" deluxe, which will also feature the 180gram
LP, the double A-Side 7" Single "Tipitina"/" Mess
Around," and more. Track listings for the various formats are as follows:
CD / DIGITAL
Tell Me Pretty Baby
Mess Around
Everyday I Have The Blues
Tipitina
I'm Movin' On
Mardi Gras In New Orleans
Cry To Me
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