New Orleans: Music in Exile

The Gumbo Seeps Into the Chili
Hurricane Katrina destroyed not only large parts of the city of New Orleans but it also came very close to destroying its musical and cultural heritage. Robert Mugge's local documentary New Orleans Music in Exile explores this phenomena.

Made up of interviews with many of the musicians who were forced out of their homes and into foreign cities, the documentary showcases the talent that made New Orleans a vibrant place more than a mere brand name. The artists involve make this film feel local. Its a different feeling than one got watching Spike Lee's excellent documentary When the Levees Broke. Possibly because the persons interviewed were known to me it seemed more immediate more tragic. If the City is to live again its up to the powers that be to bring all of the people of New Orleans back home.

In the film we get stories from Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville, Kermit Ruffins and others who have been forced to make their lives in different places from Memphis...

New Orleans' Excellent Artists Share Music and Views
10/23/10 "Where You At" vs "What's Dat" is the central theme of this excellent DVD of "New Orleans, Music In Exile"..Totally excellent in all its info about :its neighborhoods(the "wards"),:its culture(which defined itself ethnically and culturally): its spirit(developed via spirituality), :and explanation of its "When The Saints Come Marching In" Procession ("which is not coincidentally as much about "the requiem", as actually about the "repas") and :the many great talents,some of whom have already returned ,which caused New Orleans' mayor to say to the states ,cities, towns outside of New Orleans after 'hurricane Katrina',:"You only have our musicians on loan until we bring them back home to New Orleans".10/23/10 abj



Click to Editorial Reviews