A Spanish tavern in the 1800s, Preservation Hall opened in New Orleans in 1961, as a humble jazz spot with no running water or air conditioning and a few benches for patrons. Today Preservation Hall is not only a historic place to hear great music, but it also runs a music outreach program for kids in the city.
On Mardi Gras Day last week, Preservation Hall released a benefit album creatively titled, An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program. It holds an amazing salad bar of a lineup backing up the Preservation Hall Band, including Louis Armstrong (back from the dead thanks to a gifted sound engineer), Del McCoury, Buddy Miller, Pete Seegar, Steve Earle, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Tom Waits, Cory Chisel and even a few folks you wouldn’t expect like My Morning Jacket, Ani Difranco and Andrew Bird, all playing soulful New Orleans classics.
Check out the video below for a sample. EVERY song on the album will make you smile. “Corinne Died on The Battlefield” with Tom Waits will make you dance. Jason Isbell singing “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” will give you chills. Pete Seeger & Tao Rodriguez-Seeger singing “We Shall Overcome” will make you tear up.
Be sure to buy the Deluxe Verision. It’s only $11.99 on Amazon MP3 ($2.00 cheaper than iTunes).
P.S. Please God, give us a benefit tour.
An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program on Amazon
NPR: New Louis Armstrong, By Way Of Preservation Hall
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