Tipitina’s Record Club has done an excellent job releasing out-of-print albums and live sets, specializing in the music and culture of New Orleans over the last four years. Their newest vinyl offering (just in time for Mardi Gras) is a never-released live set of The Wild Tchoupitoulas featuring The Neville Brothers New Orleans ’77 that is both historic and funky.
The album, captured on April 17th, 1977, at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, captures a torch being passed during this set. Big Chief Jolly (uncle to the Nevilles) would suffer from lung cancer and pass away within a few years, just as the Neville Brothers solidified into a New Orleans institution, releasing their debut album the following year. Aaron Neville himself stated that this concert was the beginning of it all.
That was in the future, though. For this set, the band, James Ledet (drums), Charles Moore (Bass), and Deacon John (guitar) were joined by a host of vocalists, including George “Big Chief Jolly” Landry, Big Chief Pete, Sylvester Lewis, Norman Bell, and Ivan, Cyril, Aaron, Charles, and Art Neville.
The Mardi Gras Indian/family gathering, easy-flowing party vibe is palpable. The record starts with a few lines from “Jock-A-Mo” before kicking up the incredibly funky “Brother John”. A highlight of the first side is that the song uses a great groove around the Neville Brothers’ supportive, floating vocals in the chorus. “Meet De Boys on The Battle Front” stomps some rump with lots of layers of percussion as someone snuck onto the piano, which also takes centerstage on “Here Dey Come” using yelps and an R&B shaking vibe around rich bass that joyously gets down.
Focusing on the classic 1976 self-titled Wild Tchoupitoulas record songs, the B-side starts with perhaps the best-known Mardi Gras Indian tunes, “Hey Pocky A-Way (A Way)”. Slapping drums and more piano lead the charge while gorgeous, layered vocal work from the Nevilles shines bright. The chanting and percussion continue for the “Big Chief Got a Golden Crown” circular before the set wraps up with a slow, swaying “Indian Red”. Congas get to banging, and tambourine shakes as easy-flowing vocals mix with upbeat yelps and piano rolls before the tempo kicks up and the set fades out. The sonic levels of instrumentation and microphones vary as the musicians get flowing, but just having this historical concert is a win.
Producers Ben Ellman and Rob Mercurio should be commended for working with original recorder Les Blank’s son, Harrod Blank, to bring these never-released recordings out to the world. The tasty “king cake” colored vinyl and comprehensive linear notes put this unique offering over the top as Tipitina’s Record Club delivers one of the best releases in the Club’s existence with The Wild Tchoupitoulas featuring The Neville Brothers New Orleans ‘77.
