Red Beans N Rice

Liner Note Author: Bill Dahl.
Authors: Dr. John; Fats Domino; Allen Toussaint.
An enigmatic pianist and vocalist whose hip-shaking, Caribbean-influenced sound in many ways is the archetype of the New Orleans R&B genre, Roy Byrd was the foundation upon which the careers of Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, and countless others were built. RED BEANS `N' RICE contains many of `Fess's best-known songs, including the Mardi Gras standards "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" and "Tipitina," as well as "Big Chief," a virtual Rosetta Stone of Big Easy 88's-tickling. That said, the versions included here are a bit of a mixed bag; about half the tracks appear to be from the same 1979 club date documented on Fuel 2000's BIG EASY STRUT release, while others are much earlier studio tracks also available on older compilations. While certainly not the most representative, best-sounding, or most complete introduction to Professor Longhair, RED BEANS `N' RICE is nevertheless a fine collection of music from an iconic artist.