Album Notes

"I love live music. I want it to speak to me on many levels. I want the music to make me want to tap my toes, snap my fingers, dance in my chair, or out on the floor. I want to be surprised and delighted by the musicians’ spontaneous discoveries, like quoting other songs in their solos. Artists with that daring and playful spirit of adventure make for some outstanding musical moments. The only thing I love more than going to hear this music is when I get to sing in the middle of all that fun.

This album was recorded two months after Hurricane Katrina. Many New Orleans musicians came to Atlanta looking for shelter, emotional support and gigs. Our drummer, Omar, had been playing with some of them and, under their influence, perfecting his funky military (second line) rhythm. One evening playing at the Ritz, we were between songs when Omar started playing this beat. I said, 'We’ve got to find a song for this!' At the rehearsal for this recording, I suggested Omar give the New Orleans treatment to This Can’t Be Love. I wonder what other influences our displaced NOLA musicians are having on jazz around the country.

Thank you for letting us entertain you with this live performance. Borrowing from David Byrne,
You may find yourself…dancing in your living room.
You may find yourself…dancing in the kitchen.
You may find yourself…dancing on the ceiling.
Whatever you do when you are listening, love the joy!"

Janet Metzger