James Booker - 'Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah'

 

Throughout his relatively short life, James Booker amassed a colorful array of monikers: the Bayou Maharajah, the Piano Pope, the Ivory Emperor, and the Piano Prince of New Orleans.  However, the most significant nickname he bestowed upon himself was the Bronze (or sometimes Black) Liberace.

The Bayou Maharajah may be my favorite, with a swampy exoticism that hints at the realm of the extraordinary.  However, the Bronze Liberace stands out as the most accurate representation, capturing the essence of the fabulous.  This is not because James Booker was gay, had a flamboyant personality, and was well-versed in the classical music repertoire.  While New Orleans has produced numerous legendary rhythm and blues pianists, only one of them was a classically trained child prodigy who performed all of J.S. Bach’s 'Inventions and Sinfonias' professionally by the tender age of 12.

James, a musical virtuoso, couldn’t be confined by the limitations of classical music.  He boldly abandoned Chopin in favor of the innovative sounds of Jelly Roll Morton.  By the tender age of 14, he had already made his mark in the R&B scene with the release of his debut single, "Doin’ the Hambone".

By the 1960s, James had embarked on a whirlwind tour and recording journey, collaborating with virtually every prominent musician of the era.  It was during this period that he achieved his only major hit with the organ instrumental "Gonzo", a composition that held a special place in the heart of Hunter S. Thompson.

Despite his remarkable success in the R&B world, James never lost sight of his classical roots.  He was once presented with an opportunity to showcase his talents to the renowned concert pianist Arthur Rubinstein.  Rubinstein’s response was quite unexpected, stating, "I could never play that… never at that tempo."

However, amid his musical triumphs, James was grappling with a personal struggle that would ultimately take a toll on his life.  He succumbed to a heroin addiction, which, coupled with mental health issues and alcohol abuse, plagued him throughout his life and ultimately led to his premature demise.  James’ struggles with heroin would also have some odd consequences.  As a storyteller, he would amuse audiences with tales of how he lost his eye.  One had it being torn by hand from his head by an angry dealer, while another (my personal favorite) involved a fight with Ringo Starr.  But the most common story is that he lost it during an assault at Angola Prison in Louisiana.  James Booker’s time in Angola left a deep scar on him.  He’d often rant about the criminal justice system during his live performances.

A New Orleans DA even helped to clear Booker of a drug charge in exchange for James giving his son piano lessons. That son, Harry Connick Jr., later described his mentor’s playing as "Nothing was harder than that. It’s insane."

James Booker’s 'Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah' was released a decade after his passing at 43 due to kidney failure caused by heroin and alcohol abuse.  This album, compiled from 60 hours of recording over 10 years (1972-82) at the Maple Leaf Bar on Oak Street in New Orleans, is a must-listen for anyone interested in his unique talents.

We get treated to classic N’Awlins R&B piano standards like "Junco Partner", "St. James Infirmary", and "Goodnight Irene" alongside legendary compositions like "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", "Bony Maronie", "Knock on Wood", "Drinkin’ Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". And let’s not forget Jame’s original compositions, including the enigmatic "Papa Was a Rascal".  He even adds his rendition of Cuban pianist and composer Ernesto Lecuona’s "Gitanarias" to the mix.  While he dazzles you with his arpeggios, he also captivates you with his powerful right hand, his voice effortlessly shifting from pure, playful joy to raw, heart-wrenching emotion.  His vocals on "St. James Infirmary" leave a lasting impression.  The more you listen to Booker sing, the more you realize what a true double threat he was.

James’s piano style, once described by Robert Christgau as "the most ornate piano style ever to escape New Orleans" is just the beginning.  His playing is nothing short of incredible—he effortlessly executes acrobatic maneuvers on one hand while simultaneously maintaining a powerful backbeat that leaves him sounding like nobody ever has, or probably ever will.

Tracklist:

1. Medley: Slow Down / Bony Maronie / Knock On Wood / I Heard It  Through The Grapevine / Classified.
2. Medley: Tico Tico / Papa Was A Rascal.
3. Medley: Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Ballad At The Maple Leaf.
4. Minute Waltz.
5. All By Myself.
6. Save Your Love For Me.
7. Junco Partner.
8. St. James Infirmary.
9. Gitanarias.
10. Medley: Life / Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee / It Should Have Been Me.
11. Pop's Dilemma / Irene Goodnight.

For the freeload, who are some of your favorite pianists.