Back in September, I did a concert review of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, one where indie, folk laureate Andrew Bird joined the boys for a few sets. If you remember that post, you may remember me telling you that Mr. Bird was in town recording for soon-to-be released album that featured several other notable collaborators such as Jim James and Tom Waits. The reason I’m bringing this back up is because last Tuesday, Mardi Gras day, the album was released. In addition to the three musicians listed above, the 19-track album, officially entitled Preservation: An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & the Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program, includes contributions from Richie Havens, Paolo Nutini, Merle Haggard, Jason Isbell, Del McCoury, Ani DiFranco, Pete Seeger, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, Brandi Carlile, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Dr. John, Amy LaVere, Steve Earle, Cory Chisel, Buddy Miller, Angelique Kidjo, and Terence Blanchard. There’s also one track which features the vocals of the legendary Louis Armstrong. For the track “Rockin' Chair,” recording engineer Earl Scioneaux III (also know as the Madd Wikkid) was able to isolate Satchmo’s vocals from an old recording, and using that recording as a guide, the Pres Hall Band was [seemingly] able to back the legend. The results are simply stirring… utterly phenomenal. For more on how Scioneaux and the PHJB were able to pull off this feat, check out this interview from NPR’s Weekend Edition.

Now, I could ramble on forever about how much I enjoy the new Pres Hall album, but I suggest you peep the tracks from Andrew Bird and Tom Waits that I’ve got posted below on your way to picking up a copy for yourself. I’d also urge you to spring for the Deluxe Edition, which includes additional cuts from Waits, Jim James, and Pete Seeger among others. Remember all proceeds go right back to the Hall and their mentoring program. As for the Hall, it was founded in the mid-Fifties during a time when interest in traditional New Orleans jazz had significantly dwindled. Since then, the glorious 200-year-old hall located in the heart of the French Quarter has become a symbol of hope, strength, and resilience for the Crescent City and a must stop for serious traditional jazz fans the world over – a true cultural mecca. Also cued up below, I’ve got a few tracks from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band taken from their 1983 album, "When the Saints Go Marching In" (New Orleans, Vol. III). The first track, “Lord, Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good to Me,” features the vocals of the great Percy Humphrey. The second track, “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” features and excellent clarinet solo from Percy’s equally esteemed brother, Willie Humphrey. Another figure worth mentioning on these recordings is tuba player Allan Jaffe, founder of Preservation Hall. Today, it is Jaffe’s son, Ben, whose tuba you can hear anchoring the first two tracks, who upholds the Pres Hall tradition.

MP3: Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Shake It and Break It (ft Andrew Bird)
MP3: Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Tootie Ma Is a Big Fine Thing (ft Tom Waits)
MP3: Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Lord, Lord, Lord, You Sure Been Good to Me
MP3: Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Part I
Amazon Music: Preservation Hall Jazz Band - An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & the Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program
Amazon Music: Preservation Hall Jazz Band

If you happened to be following any number of New Orleans related twitter streams last Wednesday (9.9.09), you might have noticed one from @preshall mentioning that indie-folkman Andrew Bird would be sitting in with the one and only Preservation Hall Jazz Band at that night’s show. Though I had no plans of venturing out, the moment I heard the news, my mind was made up. Preservation Hall was on my agenda. I know I talk a lot about those rare, “only in New Orleans” experiences… well, they don’t get much more authentic, compelling, magical, inspirational, etc etc etc than this. The ramshackle hall located in the heart of the French Quarter – with it’s creaky floors, crumbling walls, flickering lights and clammy, non-air conditioned ambiance – is the living embodiment of traditional New Orleans music. It’s lineup consist of some of New Orleans’ the most influential musicians over the last 50 years. If you’re wondering exactly what Andrew Bird was doing there – apart from having a good time – earlier that day, he recorded with the band for a soon to be released album that features contributions from the likes of Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and Ani DiFranco among others.