The Subdudes: Tommy Malone (vocals, guitar); John Magnie (vocals, accordion, piano, organ); Jimmy Mesa (guitar, bass guitar); Tim Cook (bass guitar, percussion, background vocals); Steve Amedee (tambourine, percussion).
Additional personnel: Dirty Dozen Brass Band (horns); Phil Chandler (organ); Rosie Ledet (background vocals).
On 2006's BEHIND THE LEVEE, the Subdudes, purveyors of a musical gumbo of roots styles, offer up a dynamic set that benefits from the shimmering production work of blues luminary Keb' Mo.' Although Mo' co-pens one tune with the ensemble (the funky, loose "Social Aid & Pleasure Club"), he doesn't appear on the album, leaving the New Orleans natives to shine on their own. While the band indulges in energetic, harmony-laden tracks (the fun, breezy "Papa Dukie & the Mud People" and the gospel-tinged "One Word [Peace]"), they also present some quieter moments, most notably the soulful "Next to Me," making this another eclectic, top-notch Subdudes album that is sure to appeal to the group's dedicated fans.
What the critics say...
Rolling Stone (p.94) - "[F]or every worried sigh, there is a jump for joy like "Social Aid and Pleasure Club,' a perfect metaphor for a city that needs so much now but always gives much more in return."
Dirty Linen (p.46) - "[T]he real import of this release...is that this is a bunch of guys that achieve an extraordinary comfort level playing music together. This is the skin the Subdudes were meant to be in."
