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The Stooges
It's About Time
(Gruve)
There's hardly ever a second line, street party, or music festival in New Orleans where the boisterous sounds of the Lil' Stooges can't heard, which is why it comes as some surprise that the band has just released their first-ever CD, the aptly titled It's About Time. Having played together since 1996, the band recently lost the "Lil'" and now goes by simply The Stooges (never mind that band leader Walter "Whoadie" Ramsey, who plays sousaphone and trombone, is the band's oldest member at 23). On It's About Time, the eight members of the current lineup play loose enough that it feels as real as any live performance, but they still keep it just tight enough to come off as the polished professionals they are.
The incessantly upbeat "Deal With This," "Can't Be Faded," "Wind it Up" (by Stooges trumpet player Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews) and "Mo 1" are particularly potent tracks, whereas a slower groove winds its way through the hip-hop infused "Where You From" and "Chosen II." The latter features the vocals of two Lil' Stooges veterans, Ellis Joseph and J'Mar Wesley, who appear here as special guests. "Big Sam" Williams of Big Sam's Funky Nation also makes a guest appearance here, on the CD's one nod to tradition, the old-school standard "Paul Barbarin."
The last song on the record, "Weed Drought" is a sort of bitter nostalgia trip ("how many y'all remember -- we couldn't find none of that stinky Š"), but it works perfectly as a clever coda to this impressively accomplished "debut." -- - Cynthia Joyce
Discography
Stooges Brass Band - "It's About Time"
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Bio
The Stooges Music Group came in existence in 1996, with several high schoolers from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), and the prestigious St. Augustine High School. The band cut their musical teeth playing weddings, funerals, and parties, putting into use their learning experiences.
The Stooges got their first break in 1998 when they were invited to play for the Rebirth Brass Band's 15th Anniversary Parade. They were an instant hit, becoming one of the premier bands in New Orleans.
While dealing with the tradition of jazz and the brass band, the Stooges began using their hip-hop influence to create a new sound. "We loved to play the traditionals with our elders, but we wanted to take our influence and incorporate it into our music", says Walter "Whoadie" Ramsey, bandleader.
With the success of their first release "It's About Time", the Stooges are beginning to venture more into the world of hip-hop. "Our sound now, if you can picture it", says Drew "Phessah" Baham, "is kinda like The Roots meets Earth, Wind, and Fire, meets The Dirty Dozen."
The Stooges new album, "True Stories",features their original music such as, "One of Dem Girls", "True Stories", and "Why Dey Had To Kill Him". It's release is scheduled for Spring 2006.
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