Quick review: 'Big Ol' Box of New Orleans'

I spent a few days in New Orleans back in April for work and to celebrate my 50th birthday. And for anyone who's been to New Orleans, they know a few days is not nearly enough to immerse oneself in the fantastic food, music, culture, history and bling in one of the world's most fascinating cities. 

While there, I snagged a four-CD box set titled "Doctors, Professors, Kings & Queens: The Big Ol' Box of New Orleans." Packed into this set are 85 songs delivering a sweeping panorama of the wildly diverse styles of music the city is known for. You've got Dixieland, various forms of jazz, zydeco, R&B, rock, Cajun, gospel, soul and a bunch of other stuff. 

Over the course of 85 songs, I'd say only about six were forgettable. The large majority I have listened to repeatedly since cracking open the box. And while the playlist is by no means complete in terms of containing "hits," nearly every major or influential artist has a slot. I can't recommend these four CDs enough. The

Click to read more ...