Press/Reviews
“Bayou Road Blues” cd reviews from here and abroad!!!
It’s hurricane season on the Gulf Coast and for New Orleans, Louisiana this go around is especially welcoming for one particular native who is truly taking the blues industry by storm with his new cd entitled “Bayou Road Blues.” Blue’s in Britain Magazine places Ernie in the company of such legends as Lonesome Sundown, Lightnin’ Slim and Silas Hogan as he’s described as a throwback. All ten songs on the cd are Vincent originals with many references to his native Louisiana history. According to Tom Clarke of Blues Revue Magazine, “Bayou Road Blues” is Vincent’s first acoustic blues album. “Chittlin’ Circuit” website…
Yes that right!! Ernie Vincent’s “Bayou Road Blues” cd has made it on the Grammy Ballot for nomination in the following categories!
America Roots - Best Traditional Blues album
Song of the Year “Bayou Road ”
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance “Bayou Road”
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Jerry Moran “Bayou Road Blues”(Ernie Vincent)
“Push for Grammy Nomination” sale on Bayou Road Blues thru 9/26/09 CD $12.00 and CD downloads, only $8.99!!!
Save some cash and get ya some blues!!! Exclusively through CD Baby!!
Each month, Blues In Britain magazine reports on the blues scene, with emphasis on what’s happening here in the UK.Subscribers can read about the latest CD releases, live blues as it happens, check out upcoming blues gigs both home and abroad with full venue details, and get the inside information on the music you like to hear.
Ernie Vincent – Bayou Road Blues
Montegut Street Records
Lonesome Sundown, Lightnin’ Slim and Silas Hogan – names that conjure up the halcyon days of Excello swamp blues. Well – to that list you can now add Ernie Vincent – yes, he is that good! Vincent is a throwback – locked in a time-warp – who you could just imagine playing his blues in a Baton Rouge jook joint like Tabby’s Blues Box. Brooding, declamatory vocals, sparse, ringing guitar and wailing harp – yes, Vincent even has his own Oscar Harpo or Lazy Lester in the form of Andrew Duhon. On every track on this set you are just waiting for Vincent to proclaim “play your harmonica son” – but the fact that it doesn’t happen in no way detracts from the authenticity of Vincent’s swamp blues. The set opens with “Party On The Bayou”, and that’s exactly what it is as Vincent’s gravely vocals fired by pumping harp create a Louisiana “Wang Wang Doodle” feel. The upbeat “Swamp Daddy’s” recalls Lightnin’ Slim and finds Vincent and Duhon in great form creating a jook joint atmosphere that has me screaming “I want to go there!” “Bayou Road” is a brooding Hogan styled blues that had me looking for “roaches in my kitchen” – the foot-tapping “King Bee” is again permeated with Slim, using his technique of “swampifying” Muddy’s Chicago blues – whilst “I Can’t Believe” has a spiritual “Honest I Do” feel.That leaves the self explanatory and truly infectious, “Swamp Jump Boogie”, and the irresistible rhythms of “Mardi Gras Chief” which features Big Chief Monk Boudreaux on tambourine – who just happens to be the next artist under consideration in this review.
Rating 10 Mick Rainsford Blues in Britan Magazine
Blues.pl is the oldest Polish on-line blues magazine established in 2000. It was created by the late Witold Frankiewicz, blues enthusiast and IT worker who gathered blues-related links that were already existing on the net and built a website that worked as a platform for sharing blues information. That was the beginning of our magazine, the first of it’s kind in Poland and – as far as our memory is correct – this part of Europe.
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A sound of a cracking wooden chair emerges from the silence – someone has just sat comfortably. After a voice saying “oh right” the music begins. But it’s very different from what is served nowadays by huge blues labels. It’s acoustic but in the spirit of Lightnin’ Hopkins rather than Robert Johnson. It’s more loose, lazy, a bit like folk – blues recordings from the sixties. The rhythm is deep and the guitar playing mixes with articulated foot tapping and acoustic harmonica playing. Then the voice starts to emerge from the music. Not young and rough, but more cheerful than depressed, as if singing for friends during the weekend barbeque. That’s the music of Ernie Vincent, singer and guitar player, who made the funk hit “Dap Walk” in 1972. On the “Bayou Road Blues” he’s going back to the roots, which is proved by using the names of the artists such as Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed or Hopkins, who was already mentioned, on the CD’s cover. The whole album is clearly reminiscent of the Hopkins’ sound. The main difference is the subtle taste of the whole CD, like with a few drops of New Orleans sauce. This impression is increased by Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, who plays tambourine on the track called “Mardi Gras Chief”. It’s a very short longplay, just like the long-lost album. But it’s great, that we can find it again, because – with all the anticipation for the latest productions – it has something, that is very hard to hear elsewhere.
Przemek Draheim editor-in chief Blues in Poland Magazine
This review was also translated for me by my new blues friend Przemek, thanks brother…Jerry
To see the original review go to http://www.blues.pl/wydawnictwa/272
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Blues singer / guitarist Ernie Vincent names his father Ernest Duncan Williams as his first musical influence along with Muddy Waters and with many others. He mentions the Friday night blues party, where everyone who likes the spirit of the blues got drunk there looked for allies as described in the liner notes. Ernie Vincent with his coarse-grained voice seems to nestle comfortably in that center. However, he is better known as the funky bluesman who in 1971 founded “The Top Notes’ and scored the huge deep funk hit” Dap Walk “and released several albums of Funk / Blues . The present time seemed ripe for Vincent to release his material of the Louisiana Delta blues for the first time, with harmonica player Andrew Duhon beside him who discreetly accents. In the Ten unpolished songs Vincent visualizes the Louisiana bayou, swamp, snakes, insects, females and all that which can boast picturesque New Orleans. On ‘Mardi Gras Chief “with Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, it is equally festive state. In the liner notes Ernie Vincent also thanked “Sweet Home New Orleans” team that assisted him in releasing this recording. This album is rooted in the history of the Southern Delta country blues, where vocals, guitar and blues harp are sufficient to guarantee an intimate atmosphere, still untouched by the virus and commerce which is increasingly rare. That being said, the recording quality is raw here and there, which adds to the charm and authenticity of this “live” album , which happens to be a tribute to the ‘River City People, “one of the ten acoustic songs. Only the last “Jump Swamp Boogie ‘is Mike West Bank with electric guitar, as an invitation to all the Saturday morning meeting swinging dance. Marcie
This review was translated from the original which was published at the link below.
http://www.rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEUW/2009/AUG1/CD62.htm
The folowing review was written by Tom Clarke and will be published in an upcoming edition of Blues Revue, The Worlds Largest Blues Magazine!
ERNIE VINCENT
Bayou Road Blues
MONTEGUT STREET RECORDS
In his liner notes to Bayou Road Blues, New Orleans singer and guitarist Ernie Vincent recalls “Friday night fish fries playing Jimmy Reed songs with the likes of Little Freddie King,” and learning “Muddy Waters licks and drinkin’ “White Lightnin’” while watching the sun go down.” Well, if that doesn’t elicit visions of the delta blues, what can? Funny thing—this is Vincent’s first acoustic delta blues album, even though the music’s always been close to his heart and he’s been a performing musician for many of his 69 years.
People know the name Ernie Vincent from his 1972 funky dance hit “Dap Walk,” one of the most sampled songs ever in Europe. A wary businessman, he hasn’t recorded much since. It took this off-the-cuff recording made in somebody’s kitchen, and friend and producer Jerry Moran’s astonishment upon hearing the tapes to make this album. Look at the cover photo; Vincent’s fingers are Robert Johnson snake-like. (Another funny thing—he’s not holding an acoustic guitar, but rather the battered electric he’s written every one of his songs on, and which he calls his wife.)
Settling down into his chair (and you can hear it creaking), Ernie Vincent eases into the revelry of “Party on the Bayou” singing in a jagged but tuneful voice and playing agile, rhythmic guitar. Adding hot spice and tremendous feeling is up-and-coming New Orleans star Andrew Duhon on 2nd position harp, the juxtaposed talents of the two artists creating a riveting blues experience. Big Chief Monk Boudreaux hits a tambourine in “Mardi Gras Chief,” a fantastic melding of Crescent City and delta rhythms. “I Can’t Believe” is a heart-wrenching soul ballad with a lonesome whistle of a harp line. Otherwise, Vincent and Duhon visit familiar delta themes with inventiveness. There’s hardship reflected in the brooding “Bayou Road,” relationship woes in the insistently rocking “Just Like My Woman,” and of course sexual innuendo in the front porch ruminations of “I’m Your Snake Baby.” “River City People” offers a lowdown, picturesque take on the locals’ festivities. All ten songs are Vincent’s and every one is more staggering with time.
TOM CLARKE
ERNIE VINCENT
by
George Fish/Blues Review Contributer for Blues Blast is posted by the Illinois Blues Society
Review will be published this Thursday
Ernie Vincent
Bayou Road Blues
Montegut Street Records
10 tracks
Total time: 34:09
Ernie Vincent’s Bayou Road Blues came unexpectedly to me in the mail from Jerry Moran, music photographer (he did the photo work for Cyril Neville’s Brand New Blues) and Vincent’s manager. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise indeed.
Bayou Road Blues is a throwback to the folk recordings of the 1960s, an acoustic Delta guitar blues CD unadorned by the drums and bass of most modern-day folk recordings, and a departure from Ernie Vincent’s traditional electric musical style. Known as the Funk’n Blues Legend of New Orleans, he had a massive cult hit in 1972 with the funk dance tune, “Dap Walk,” performed with his band, the Top Notes. This song drew attention to Vincent worldwide, continues in popularity, and was even featured on “Sex and the City”(see HBO video further down this page). Also used commercially was another funk hit of his, “Things Are Better”(See Nike/Lebron James commercial further down this page). An adept electric guitar player, Ernie Vincent is adept on acoustic blues guitar as well, as Bayou Road Blues positively attests. 
All ten songs on the CD are Vincent originals, many of them referencing his Louisiana background. While track 4, “King Bee,” and track 7, “Just Like My Woman,” loosely reference Slim Harpo’s “I’m a King Bee” and the blues standard, “Just Like A Woman,” they are overwhelmingly original in their lyrics. The opening track, “Party on the Bayou;” track 2, “Swamp Daddy’s;” track 3, “Bayou Road;” track 5, “Mardi Gras Chief;” and track 8, “River City People,” directly reference his Southern Louisiana roots and his present home of New Orleans. “Party on the Bayou,” “Swamp Daddy’s” and “River City People” are songs of partying and carousing, while “Bayou Road” is about coming up in hard times. “Mardi Gras Chief” adapts the rhythm structure and melodic lines of Bo Diddley to Delta blues, and features Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Monk Bourdreaux on tambourine, with Vincent double-tracked on guitar, playing low-register Delta accompaniment with elegant higher-register single-note playing overlaid.
Track 9, “I Can’t Believe” departs from the Delta styling of the other tracks, as it is a 1950s/1960s-style soul ballad, while the ending track, “Swamp Jump Boogie,” is a rocking instrumental with Vincent’s churning train-riff rhythm guitar providing the base on which electric guitarist West Bank Mike overlays some wildly delicious licks, making bass and drums superfluous for engendering the danceable, infectious beat.
Most able young bluesman Andrew Duhon provides “citified” second position harp on eight tracks, absent only from “Mardi Gras Chief” and “River City People.” While on most tracks he only accompanies, he plays two harp solos on “Just Like My Woman,” and also has solos on “I Can’t Believe” and “Swamp Jump Boogie.” He adds trills to his harp playing on “King Bee” to effectively imitate a bee buzzing. This combination of acoustic guitar with harp is thus reminiscent of Buddy Guy and Junior Wells’s Alone and Acoustic CD on Alligator, as well as Sonny Boy Williamson’s 1963 acoustic work with Matt “Guitar” Murphy.
Bayou Road Blues can also be looked upon as reverse John Lee Hooker, in this respect—whereas much of Hooker’s early work could be described as the loose, loping country blues played on an electric guitar, Vincent’s songs are tight, structured and elemental in city blues fashion, but played acoustically. The same could be said of his singing, which has that same tight city blues approach, which is vigorous and compelling, but structured. Combined with his nuanced guitar work accompanied by feet tapping rhythm, the effect is one of a city blues album recorded with just acoustic guitar and harp instrumentation. Track 6, “I’m Your Snake Baby,” is really the only track that has a looser, more country feel about the lyrics. Which is by no means meant disparagingly. Bayou Road Blues has a positive ambience about it, and both Vincent and the other players are relaxed yet highly skilled and conscious in their playing. All this making Bayou Road Blues a very good listen indeed.
Anyone who has been wondering what Ernie’s been up to, well lately a lot! We just finished an acoustic delta blues cd called “Bayou Road Blues” with Ernie and Andrew Duhon which is coming out July 2nd,(you can hear some of it on ernie’s website www.ErnieVincent.com ) and as you can see in the vid, he has put a fresh look to the Top Notes(This video, song entitled Funk Yeah!) was their second time rehearsing and first shot at this song,somethin to watch), who are currently booking in New Orleans, info@ernievincent.com! The Top Notes are Eric Heigle on drums, Josh Reppel on bass, Phillip Breen on Keyboard, James Martin on Sax, and of course the Dap Walk man himself Ernie Vincent on guitar and vocals. Good friend Shamarr Alllen will fill in the horn section at Ernie CD release party on July 16th at DBA, shoul be a night to remember!!!
“Bayou Road Blues” will ba available for purchase at Ernie’s CD Release Party at DBA this Thursday evening from 7-till, see home page for info on line-up! Also available for purchase through CD Baby(Link will be up later this afternoon), Louisiana Music Factory, and Peaches.
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and Ernie Vincent are available for all media interviews including television and radio. For more information please call Rueben Williams 985-688-5258
For Immediate Release: June 15, 2009
Where: TIPITINAS- “Them Funk’n Indians”
DATE:Saturday June 20, 2009
WHAT: “The Collision of Two Pioneers of New Orleans Music”
TIME: 10pm
TICKETS: 10.00
DATE:Saturday June 20, 2009
WHAT: “The Collision of Two Pioneers of New Orleans Music”
TIME: 10pm
TICKETS: 10.00
On Saturday June 20th two profound pioneers of traditional New Orleans music will converge at Tipitina’s for a musical performance.
Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and his band the Golden Eagles will share the bill with Ernie Vincent and the Top Notes.
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles -
In the late 1960s, Boudreaux joined the Wild Magnolias, the Mardi GrasIndian group lead by his Big Chief Bo Dollis. Dollis and Boudreaux have been close friends since their childhood.In 1970, Boudreaux appeared with the Wild Magnolias at the very first New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and also in the same year, the groupreleased the single “Handa Wanda” on Crescent City Records, the first studio recorded music by the Mardi Gras Indians. In 1974, he appeared with the Wild Magnolias on their debut album on Barclay/Polydor Records which featured Snooks Eaglin and Willie Tee in the supporting musicians. Boudreaux is exclusively featured on Golden Eagles’ album Lightning and Thunder, a live recording released in 1988 on Rounder Records. After being with the Wild Magnolias for over 30 years, Boudreaux left the group in 2001 as a result of disputes with the group’s manager over guarantee payments. Since then he has performed and recorded with artists such as Anders Osborne, Galactic and Papa Mali aside from the Golden Eagles. In the recent years, he has also participated in the recording and tour of the Voice of the Wetlands All-stars, a band that also featured Tab Benoit, Cyril Neville, and Dr. John among others. He is also featured on one track in the New Orleans Social Club’s album Sing Me Back Home released in 2006. Boudreaux appeared in full dress on the 2006 Congo Square Poster of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Ernie Vincent and the Top Notes-
Considered by many to be a funk music pioneer, Ernie Vincent grew up playing guitar in the bayous of Southern Louisiana. From a very young age, his family and his neighbors taught him to play guitar. In the early 1970′s Ernie formed the Top Notes. Soon after the band gained local notoriety playing clubs all over New Orleans including the Mason Strip and backing many of the top Rhythm & Blues acts of the era including Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, and Joe Simon.Since it exploded in 1972, the funk anthem “Dap Walk” has been shaking butts all over the world. Most recently featured on HBO’s hit series “Sex and the City”, Dap Walk has become a cult classic from Sweden to Tokyo and DJ’s worldwide are scrambling to find the few remaining copies of the original 45. For many record collectors worldwide, Dap Walk is a most sought after record. Recently, Ernie has reformed his band The Top Notes with some fine young New Orleans talent, Eric Heigle(drums), Josh Reppel(bass), Phillip Breen(Keyboards), and James Martin(sax). Additionally local accomplished trumpet player Shamarr Allen will be joining the horn section when his schedule allows, and yes he will be there Saturday at Tipitinas! If you’ve been waiting for some low down funky blues, Ernie’s primed to deliver !
Ernie has also recently completed an Acoustic Delta Blues CD with Bluesman Andrew Duhon(harmonica) entitled “Bayou Road Blues” which will be released 7/2/09!
Check out this new interview with Ernie! This is part one in a series on whats goin on these days for Ernie including his soon to be released Acoustic Delta Blues CD with local up an coming bluesman Andrew Duhon on harmonica, a look at the past and the history of “The Dap Walk”, and whats in store for the future!
Considered to be one of the greatest funk songs ever recorded, the Dap Walk continues to get audiences up on their feet. It’s groove is so deep that you can’t sit still when it’s played. Ernie Vincent, the man behind “Ernie & The Top Notes, Inc.,” wrote and produced Dap Walk in 1972.
I sat down with Ernie Vincent at Banks Street Bar, one of the city’s favorite neighborhood music venues, to talk about Dap Walk, new recording projects and, in Part 2 of this interview, the Blues. A warm, friendly man, I always enjoy talking with Ernie, especially about music. This is a man who knows, and loves, music. He’s played it all, blues, r&b, funk, rock, soul, jazz, even zydeco and speaks of it all eloquently. It’s like listening to a compelling lecture by the official professor of funk.
For these two interviews we stuck close to the issues of the day; the global resurgence of the Dap Walk as a funk musical icon and Ernie’s new Blues album, “Bayou Road Blues,” with harmonica player Andrew Duhon. Part 2 will also debut Ernie’s single from the new album. Definitely worth watching, so check back in a few weeks for it.
I hope you enjoy Ernie’s passion in talking about Dap Walk as much as I do. Please, do me a favor, and Rate the video and leave a Comment. I’ll pass along all comments and I know Ernie would enjoy hearing from you. Also, if you Subscribe, you’ll get an alert when Part 2 – “Ernie talks Blues” is uploaded.
Thanks for watching!
Ernie Vincent’s legendary performance with Nashville’s own deep funk machine the Dynamites with Charles Walker. This clip includes a very special appearence by the aforementioned Ernie Vincent of Ernie and the Top Notes fame. You may recognize this track from the ground breaking deep funk comp “Funky 16 Corners” So sit back, relax,and enjoy this choice peice of deep funk history. Click HERE to view video!
Ernies Music has also been used in some of the worlds largest ad campaigns including this Nike ad with Lebron James called “Glory Day’s”, listen to Ernies hit “Things are Better” in the background!
And of course the ground breaking 70′ funk hit “Dap Walk” was featured in the hit HBO series “Sex and the City”
Ernie vincent live in New Orleans 2006 from Ogden Museum of Southern Art 28 Sept 2006 demonstrating his unimitable funk guitar sound, developed over the years in the big easy.Click HERE to view video!