Album Notes

Going into their tenth year together, the high steppers of this New Orleans style brass band are shaking up crowds and critics alike with their jubilant approach to the venerable tradition that is the New Orleans Brass Band. Mama Digdown's nods respectfully to the past, while joyfully playing the music of its own generation.

Handily adding elements of R&B, traditional jazz and funk, Mama Digdown's creates a raucous sound that saxophonist Brandford Marsalis described as "PHAT."

Mama Digdown's Brass Band has been performing at clubs and festivals from Wisconsin to Louisiana, and from New York to California, earning a reputation as one of the hottest brass bands on the scene. Mama Digdown's has also shared bills with such legendary artists as Dr. John, The Dirty Dozen and The Neville Brothers.

Mama's House was recorded entirely in New Orleans at Donna's Bar, the brass band mecca located on the corner of Rampart and St. Ann. The CD, which is Mama Digdown's fourth, features a mix of old and new. The first half of the album is called "The Saturday Night House Party," and features throw-down funk with arrangments of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back," Shilea E's "The Glamorous Life," and a modern brass band funk reworking of John Coltrane's "Blue Train." The album also contains Mama Digdown's most compelling originals to date, including "Mama's Boy" and "K.C. Love."

The second half of the CD is entitled "The Sunday Afternoon Barbeque" and contains music on the traditional tip. Tunes like "All of Me," "Royal Garden Blues," and "Mama Don't Allow" give the second half of the album a toe tappin' vibe. So cook up some of Mama's beans and rice (recipe included in the CD) and enjoy!