Go to the Mardi Gras
Professor Longhair
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Go To The Mardi Gras 2:46 Trk 1 (R. Byrd, T. Terry) Professor Longhair (vocal & piano) Recorded: Cosimo Matassa's studio (Governor Nichols St. in New Orleans, 1959) W/John Boudreaux - drums, R. Payne - bass Dr. John - guitar, M. Bechamin - tenor, E. Hines - trmb. Single: Ron Records #329 Album: 'Mardi Gras in New Orleans' Album: 'Mardi Gras in New Orleans' Mardi Gras Records MG1001 (1987) Transcriber: Awcantor@aol.com While you stroll in New Orleans You ought to go see the Mardi Gras If you go to New Orleans You ought to go see the Mardi Gras When you see the Mardi Gras Somebody'll tell you what's Carnival for Get your ticket in your hand If you wanna go through New Orleans Get your ticket in your hand If you wanna go through New Orleans You know when you get to New Orleans Somebody'll show you the Zulu King You will see the Zulu King Down on St. Claude and Dumaire You know, you'll see the Zulu King Down on St. Claude and Dumaire An if you stay right there I'm sure you'll see the Zulu Queen. ~
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10 facts about this song
Artist ProfileProfessor Longhair, whose real name is Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd, was an influential and flamboyant New Orleans blues singer and pianist known for his unique blending of boogie-woogie, blues, and New Orleans-style jazz.
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Release Details"Go to the Mardi Gras" was released in 1959. The song comes alive every year around Mardi Gras in New Orleans, owing to its timely theme.
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Relevance to New OrleansProfessor Longhair's "Go to the Mardi Gras" has become an anthem of New Orleans Mardi Gras, one of the city's most cherished and internationally recognized cultural events.
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Significance of the Song’s BeatThe song embodies a unique blend of rhythm and blues, with a rolling, syncopated piano style that echoes Caribbean rhythms - a style Professor Longhair developed and which became an important feature of New Orleans' music scene.
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Influence on Other Musicians"Go to the Mardi Gras" prominently influenced many other R&B artists. Legends like Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, and the Neville Brothers all cited Professor Longhair as a key influence in their music.
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Posthumous RecognitionAlthough Professor Longhair passed away in 1980, his music continues to reign in New Orleans. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, reinforcing his impact on the genre.
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Music LegacyIn "Go to the Mardi Gras," you can clearly hear the origins of the trademark New Orleans “second-line” rhythm, a style that developed from the city's street parade traditions and has since become a fundamental element of New Orleans jazz and blues.
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Restarting CareerThe recording of "Go to the Mardi Gras" played a crucial role in restarting Professor Longhair's musical career in the late 50s, leading him to his golden era of the 70s.
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Repetitive ThemeThe song’s theme repeats in each verse serving as an invitation for listeners to visit and experience New Orleans during its Mardi Gras season.
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Preservation of the SongIn an effort to preserve this cultural heritage, the original 1959 recording of "Go to the Mardi Gras" was selected by the Library of Congress as a 2011 addition to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
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Citation
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"Go to the Mardi Gras Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/17785433/Professor+Longhair/Go+to+the+Mardi+Gras>.
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