Vaud and the Villains

I think it's ill-mannered of Brits in our party who have succumbed to Obama-mania to keep telling our hosts what a relief it is that 'it's OK to love America again'. We should always love America, not for its leaders -- who generally turn out as disappointing as our own -- but for its vitality, its collective belief in the possibility of renewal, its vast anthology of personal stories. The perfect metaphor for the America it's impossible to dislike is on stage at the down-at-heel Fais Do-Do nightclub off La Brea Avenue. It's called Vaud and the Villains, it's an 18-piece band plus Burlesque dancers, and we like them all so much we book them to play in our suffocatingly bland conference hotel, where they blow the roof off with a unique New Orleans-gospel-soul mix officially described as 'what rock 'n' roll would sound like if they played it back in the Thirties'. A Democrat lawyer en route to the White House transition team is heard to mutter, while watching the dancers: 'Now I know what Dr King meant when he said he had a dream.' Among the line-up is a gravel-voiced, heavily tattooed chanteuse who's in rehab; a dancer who's a bit-part soap-actress single mother; a tiny, smiling man in a pork-pie hat, Filipino perhaps, with a voice as big as Pavarotti's; and a black lead singer with the loose-limbed elegance and energy of -- yes, him again -- Barack Obama. I'm not easily swayed by the emotion of the crowd, but I have to tell you, as one New Yorker grabs the mike to declare, 'I feel the lurve, ' Vaud and the Villains give me hope for America. - Spectator

The music of Vaud And The Villains is a big mix of influences. How
could it not be? Cajun, big band, country, bebop, Dixieland, zydeco,
even traces of klezmer and gypsy… all discernible within the work of
the Los Angeles-based, 19-member band who conjure up the spirit of
1930s New Orelans and skillfully, lovingly distill it all like fine whiskey
into a smooth, spicy cup o'joy that reflects the rich, smooth pleasures
of Louisiana culture. To quote their Facebook page, “the sexy cabaret
will stain your soul, but Vaud and his naughty, bawdy Villains lead
you to salvation.”
Part of what makes New Orleans so special is this unique cultural
mix, and the extent to which the music is so infused within every
aspect of life there. Vaud And The Villains capture this vitality with
their unique, joyous theatrical presentations -ones that include not
only their many talented musicians, but salty-sweet dancing girls as
well. There's an inherent theatricality to what they do, with their
website listing “characters” and setting a kind of scene for what to
expect in a live setting. And when that live event happens… look out.
This is party music in the truest sense: fast, fun, a wee bit raunchy
and a whole lot of fun. Their live version of “Eyes On The Prize”
(below) is notable for its saucy re-jigging of a song more associated
with the civil rights movement and gospel music:
Vaud And The Villains don't have New York City listed on their
calendar -yet. But if and when they visit, we'll be sure to let you know.
Murray Street will be a sea of streamers, horns, tassles and dancing
girls… or something very, very close to it. - Murray Street Productions

Review from New Orleans shows in 2011 - Murray Street Productions