Don't know the name? Don't matter. It also strikes me in these times that one of Bo's signature tunes sounds downright prescient.
We are very sad to learn that pianist Eddie Bo, one of New Orleans' greatest and most beloved performers, passed on Wednesday, March 18 at the age of 79.
His legacy is profound, and he was considered the last of the "junker"-style pianists, fusing jazz, R&B, funk, soul, and blues seasoned with New Orleans flavor.
Eddie Bo (Edwin Bocage to his mama) is one of the most important and least known of the great funksters of the 60's and 70's. His recording career, stretching from the mid-50's on started out in New Orleans R&B like "Twinkle Toes" and "Check Mr. Popeye" and moved on, in the mid-60's to some of the grooviest soul and funk made in New Orleans, or anywhere else for that matter. While he made plenty of his own records among them the mighty and legendary "Hook & Sling Pts 1&2" which was a minor national hit in 1969 he was also a major producer, arranger and collaborator on scores of other records. His importance to the New Orleans scene can not be overestimated.
The fact that he wasn't better known nationally is a crime, and probably due in large part to the fact that most of his records were made for small independent labels like Scram, Seven B, and Bo Sound. Some of his best stuff did see national distribution but with the exception of "Hook & Sling" and "Check Your Bucket" not many got anywhere near the charts outside of the Big Easy.
I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure my bucket's got a hole in it.
2 comments:
RIP Eddie Bo. Love "We're doin it" when he spells out "thing" "T-H-A-N-G", years before Isaac sang "Do your Thing". Oh man, RIP Isaac Hayes too. I better shut up now.
love that tune. Sad to learn Eddie's gone.
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