Voices of New Orleans

“ In books and official reports, the tragedy of Katrina was blamed on politicians, poverty and poor engineering, as it should have been. But there was another conversation that should have happened — not about blame, but about understanding. What did regular people do before, during and after the storm? Why? And what could they have done better?” — Amanda Ripley in her book, The Unthinkable

Music Friday: Sing Me Back Home

May 24, 2007

A little something different this Memorial Day Weekend. Take a look at how the benefit album "Sing Me Back Home" came together through the New Orleans Social Club. You have Ivan and Cyril Neville, Irma Thomas, Henry Butler and others talking about why chose the songs they did, how they feel about the city, and why making this album was so important.

A lot of benefit albums are made by people with good intentions who don't necessarily have a personal connection to the group they are supporting. But if you listen to the NPR piece on "Sing Me Back Home" (which includes three songs from The Subdudes, Willie Tee and The Sixth Ward All-Star Brass Band Revue) you will understand why these musicians - these talented, brilliant, committed musicians, all felt there was something they had to do - that it would be wrong not to do something like this.

Behind the cut, the musicians talk about "Sing Me Back Home". Watch the video then go listen to some New Orleans music and remember all over again why we can not forget.


Voices Highlights

book cover

Leaning with Intent to Fail


Archives


About this blog

After Katrina and its horrible aftermath, Chin Music Press felt compelled to shine its wobbly flashlight on New Orleans. This effort resulted in our second book, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans? Along the way, we met a community of passionate, eloquent writers who care deeply about what happens to the Big Easy. This blog became a natural extension of the book. It's our way of adding voices to the unfolding story of New Orleans.


Contributors

  • Sarah Inman
  • Craig Mod
  • Colleen Mondor
  • Rex Noone
  • Bruce Rutledge
  • David Rutledge
  • Dar Wolnik

More Voices

Other Books by Chin Music Press

Art Space Tokyo
Goodbye Madame Butterfly