It is not an uncommon tale in the world of blues music and its related flavors that those who paved the way for more successful artists were often left behind in the annals of history – and it is only after their deaths that their work is rediscovered and revered.
In the case of Professor Longhair, it is fortunate that he lived long enough to see the renaissance of his career, starting with an appearance in 1971 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. But it was the opportunity to record an album on which he seemed to have the most creative freedom, Crawfish Fiesta, that would be the celebratory point of his career rebirth. Unfortunately for Longhair, he died of a heart attack at the age of 61 on the day the record began shipping.
But, much like a New Orleans jazz funeral, this disc is less a mournful remembrance of a Cajun blues legend than a true celebration – not only of his life, but life in general.
The 12 songs making this album up are a true musical gumbo, working in Cajun, a touch of zydeco, and some truly joyous blues. The best part is that Longhair and his crack team of backing musicians (including fellow Southern legend Dr. John on guitar) make everything sound so effortless, as if the music they played was them pouring their lifeblood out for the listener to consume. In fact, I would not doubt this is close to the truth.
From the opening track “Big Chief” (a re-recording of one of Longhair’s best-known songs), the party never lets up until the final hidden notes of “Iko Iko” on the closing title track fade out. Even a mournful track like “It’s My Fault, Darling” maintains an air of entertainment to it, so it’s less of a mournful ballad than a happy-go-lucky admission, akin to a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Crawfish Fiesta keeps the energy level’s pedal to the floor for nearly the entire album. Tracks like “Bald Head,” “Red Beans” and “Whole Lotta Loving” almost make the listener want to get up from their easy chair and shimmy around the house. And while I’ll always prefer Fats Domino’s version of “Whole Lotta Loving,” Longhair does enough on this one to keep it interesting.
If there is any negative to the album, it sometimes feels like certain concepts are cut short before they had the time to fully express themselves. The instrumental “Willie Fugal’s Blues” just sounds like it cuts things off right when they were about to get truly interesting, and I’d have liked to have heard that track stretch out a bit longer. Then again, Longhair seemed to know the right time to leave before slowing the party down, so maybe this was an intentional move.
If anything, Crawfish Fiesta feels like Longhair knew his time on Earth was drawing to a close, and – having been given more creative freedom in the studio than he was used to – he chose to distill his entire career into these tracks and make it the best album he ever recorded. And while I must admit I’ve not listened to other full-length offerings from him, it does feel like he succeeded in his mission.
Crawfish Fiesta is not a mournful remembrance of a musical talent lost far too soon, it is a celebration of his career and everyone who he inspired. It is, simply, a masterpiece.
