Orleans Inspiration

Personnel: Henry Butler (vocals, piano, synthesizers), Michael Goods (synthesizers), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), Chris Severin (bass), Herman Jackson (drums).
Recorded live at Tiptina's, New Orleans, Louisiana on July 27-28, 1989. Includes liner notes by Sam Sutherland and George Winston.
Henry Butler, who had recorded a pair of post-bop sets for MCA/Impulse, switches to New Orleans R&B on this spirited program, cut live at Tipitina's in New Orleans. Assisted by guitarist Leo Nocentelli, bassist Chris Severin, drummer Herman Jackson, and the synthesizer of Michael Goods, Butler puts on a fine show. He plays and sings (in a gospel-ish baritone voice) a variety of originals, plus Leonard Bernstein's "Somewhere," "Goin' Down Slow," and Professor Longhair's "Tipitina's" and "Mardi Gras in New Orleans." ~ Scott Yanow