When you think of New Orleans piano, the first names that pop into your mind are usually Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint and maybe Harry Connick. One of the underservedly forgotten holders of the Crescent City piano torch was James Booker (1939-1983), unfortunately a tragic figure in many aspects. He recorded a handful of albums, some of which are available, but nothing compares to this tour-de-force of a 5 cd book/box set of him performing in solo format in socialist East Germany, namely East Berlin, as well as in Leipzig, Germany and Lausanne, Switzerland on tours in 1976-77. His style is perfect gumbo of blues, boogie, stride, rag, swing and pre-roc R&B, with an avuncular voice that is part raconteur and part carney.
Being from Louisiana, Booker has no problem bringing in Crescent City classics like “Jambalaya” as well as throwing in some classic ‘Spanish Tinge’ as on ”Malaguena”, “Tico Tico” as well as well felt gospel as on “People Get Ready”. Classic blues include “Goodnight Irene”, “and “Please Send Me Someone To Love” while modern pop gets some half shell treatment with “A Taste of Honey”, “Something Stupid”, “My Way” and The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby”. His own material suh has “Slowly But Surely” and “Pixie” is bona fide bayou, while he shows his big ears of influence by throwing in some Beethoven (“Fur Elise) as well as swing (“Bei Mir Bis Du Schon”) and, ditties (“Baby Face”)classic R&B (“Since I Fell For You”) and a wild juxtaposition of “You Are My Sunshine/Sixty Minute Man”. Both performer and audience sound inspired through all different shows, making this a set you’ll want to revisit many a time and wonder about the vagaries of musical life in Storyville.