Tunes to Inspire Visitors Bound for New Orleans

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Moon's Big Easy Mix from MoonMusic on 8tracks Radio.

As a New Orleans native, I've been a fan of the city's much-celebrated music scene since I was a kid. In truth, my love affair with the Big Easy's spirited music probably began even before I was born – Mom was pregnant with me, after all, when she attended the 1976 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

No matter when it started, though, this town's one-of-a-kind music is definitely in my blood. Blues, soul, funk, jazz, rock, country, Cajun, zydeco, and Gospel – you name it, I've probably heard it – and loved it, too.

Of course, while it's best to experience such local and regional music in live settings – such as legendary venues like Tipitina's or annual events like the springtime French Quarter Festival – it's certainly possible to get a taste of the city's best tunes from wherever you happen to be.

In fact, to get you in the mood for your next trip to New Orleans, I've helped to compile a special playlist of my favorite songs – Moon's Big Easy Mix – which features some of the city's most well-known musicians, from Dr. John to Harry Connick, Jr. Intrigued? Then, feel free to listen to it by clicking on the above link or by visiting Moon's page on the 8tracks website. If you do, here's the line-up that you'll encounter:

“Basin Street Blues” - Dr. John
Album: Goin' Back to New Orleans
Year: 1992

“Bourbon Street Parade” - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Album: Songs of New Orleans
Year: 2005

“City of New Orleans” - Willie Nelson
Album: City of New Orleans
Year: 1984

“Hot Tamale Baby” - Buckwheat Zydeco
Album: Waitin' for My Ya Ya
Year: 1985

“Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” - Harry Connick, Jr. (with Dr. John)
Album: 20
Year: 1988

“Iko Iko” - The Dixie Cups
Album: Chapel of Love: The Very Best of the Dixie Cups
Year: 1999

“When the Saints Go Marching In” - Louis Armstrong
Album: Satchmo '85
Year: 1985

“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” - Hank Williams
Album: 24 of Hank Williams' Greatest Hits
Year: 1976

“Mother-in-Law” - Ernie K-Doe
Album: The New Orleans Hit Story: 20 Years of Big Easy Hits
Year: 1993

“Mardi Gras in New Orleans” - Professor Longhair
Album: Rum and Coke
Year: 1993

“Congo Square” - The Neville Brothers
Album: Live on Planet Earth
Year: 1994

“Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On)” - Lee Dorsey
Album: The New Orleans Hit Story: 20 Years of Big Easy Hits
Year: 1993

Of course, these are just some of my favorite Big Easy-inspired tunes. Others include (but are certainly not limited to) “Walking to New Orleans” (Fats Domino), “They All Ask'd for You” (The Meters), “My Indian Red” (Dr. John), “Voodoo on the Bayou” (Tab Benoit), and “Backwater Blues” (Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns).

For even more inspiration before embarking on your next trip to the Crescent City, check out my favorite Louisiana albums, pick up a copy of Moon New Orleans, or check out my related author Q&A's: one about exploring New Orleans and the other about discovering authentic New Orleans.

In the meantime, enjoy the music – and let me know if your favorite Big Easy tune is missing from the mix. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of awesome songs out there – and even more versions – to choose from!

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As always, I’m open to ideas for future posts. If you have any suggestions, burning questions, or destinations that you’d like me to explore in greater detail, please comment below, contact me via laura [at] wanderingsoles [dot] com, or connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: While I occasionally accept free or discounted travel assistance when it coincides with my editorial goals, my opinion is never for sale, which means that everything written in my American Nomad blog and Moon travel guides is my unbiased reflection of the things that I see, do, and experience while traveling across the United States.

Text © 2013 Laura Martone

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Laura Martone is Moon’s American Nomad and the author of Moon New Orleans, Moon Michigan, Moon Florida Keys, and Moon Baja RV Camping.