2. James BookerJunco Partner
When I started the list with these two albums, I thought, ‘Oh, should I do all piano players here?’ given that I’m probably the world’s worst aficionado of piano music. But I play these records all the time, they’re almost like friends; the familiar voices that seem like they’re around all the time. I feel like I can quite happily play this record anywhere and everywhere. It is part of New Orleans music but it’s not part of it in the way that Dr. John or Professor Longhair is, or this kind of thing that runs above ground. It’s rooted in what I love about New Orleans music but it’s like it’s gone way beyond that, into something else, into something that’s drawn on music from all over. Also, his voice just doesn’t sound like anyone else. And unlike a lot of other James Booker stuff, it’s really well produced. It’s so beautifully put together and the playing is astonishing.
