For today’s Song of the Day, we turn to Dr. John for a portrait of life in the Crescent City. Basin Street Blues was written by Spencer Williams in the 1920s;.Louis Armstrong recorded a version in 1928, but, unlike this one by Dr. John, it does not mention the Mississippi River. Those lyrics were, according to Wikipedia, added later by Glenn Miller and Jack Teagarden. Dr. John’s version is on his 1992 CD called Goin’ Back to New Orleans.
Song of the Day: Basin Street Blues
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About the Author: Dean Klinkenberg
Dean Klinkenberg, the Mississippi Valley Traveler, is on a mission to explore the rich history, diverse cultures, and varied ecosystems of the Mississippi River Valley, from the Headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. He is the author of the Frank Dodge mysteries and several guidebooks for the Mississippi River.
