Platter Playlists: Cryin' in Louisiana

When studying Louisiana’s spot on a map of the United States, it isn’t difficult to gather that South Louisiana falls as one of the southernmost points of this fine country. Some would call this area part of the Deep South. It’s also not a stretch to posit that Louisiana has birthed some of the deepest of deep soul. Heartbroken, busted up, and broke-down aren’t words that make casual appearances down here. New Orleans R&B and swamp pop music are pointed just as sharply towards the men and women left hungover and alone the next morning as those who party at dancehalls the night before.

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The Mix

What I’ve done with this month’s mix is gather a handful of songs by Louisiana musicians about heartbreak, loss, and a certain shame that walks hand-in-hand with the empty feeling of loneliness. Present are New Orleans greats like Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Lloyd Price, Aaron Neville, and Danny White as well as Swamp Pop heroes like Bobby Charles and Johnnie Allan. Where Fats, Irma, and Aaron deliver soul masterpieces of the tender variety, Danny keeps it real with a show of true grittiness. Simply put, Danny White’s vocals in “Loan Me A Handkerchief” sound like pure weeping set to a drum beat and backed by a tight horn section. It may sound unappealing, but it’s easily one of the best things I’ve ever heard. Next, Bobby Mitchell and Lloyd Price lighten the load while ushering in the Creole crooning of Billy Tircuit and the teary anthems and rolling pianos of Bobby Charles and Johnnie Allan.

This mix may be filled to the brim with teary-eyed songs about heartbreak and misery, but it is far from a sad mix. These songs chronicle the worst parts of the singers’ lives, all the while showing that sometimes sadness is the truest inspiration for great music.

Tracklist

Loan Me A Handkerchief — Danny White
I Gotta Sit Down and Cry — Bobby Marchan
I'll Fiddle While You Cry — Bobby Mitchell and The Toppers
Boo Hoo — Lloyd Price
Crying — Billy Tircuit
Big Boys Cry — Bobby Charles
Crying Over You — Johnnie Allan
Cry On — Irma Thomas
Counting Teardrops — James K-Nine
I've Got a Right to Cry — Fats Domino
Don’t Cry — Aaron Neville

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