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Going Back To New Orleans
"Going Back To New Orleans" is the documentary film part of the critically acclaimed and award winning CD and concert video, "Deacon John's Jump Blues."
It is the story of New Orleans' place in the origin of the rock and roll genre lovingly told through the eyes of Big Easy musical icon, Deacon John Moore.
"Going Back To New Orleans" spotlights the music, the food, and the joie de vivre of the city's diverse population and its Creole and African American roots.
The film features special guest appearances by 2007 Grammy winners Irma Thomas and Cosimo Matassa, nominee Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Wardell Quezerque and Fats Domino's legendary producer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Bartholomew along with an all star cast of New Orleans finest recording and performing musicians.
"Going Back To New Orleans" is a joyful journey to a rich musical past through the eyes and music of the living present day practitioners of that tradition.
Shot in 35mm and HD video and broadcast in HD, "Going Back To New Orleans" is a preservation document of the unique culture of one of America's most unique cities.
On August 29, "Going Back To New Orleans, The Deacon John Film" premieres on Fox's MyNetworkTV at 8 ET. (Check local listings for time and channel.)
Hear Stories About the Film
Deacon John, Speaking after Hurricaine Katrina
"Katrina changed everything. . . We started making this film before the storm, but the storm scattered all the people in our project to the four winds. Katrina also made us realize that what we were trying to do with this film was to preserve those parts of New Orleans that make it so unique and it is a good thing we were trying to preserve it because most of it is all gone now. "
Share Your Own Stories
Join the conversation at the Going Back to New Orleans blog featuring producer Cyril Vetter
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Deacon John
"The jump blues era incorporated elements of the big band swing horn section, you know when you hear the riffs that back up the singers and the call and response thing with the riffs, like Joe Turner or Smiley Lewis, he say 'la la la, la la la, she calls me her sweet Poppa, and then the horns would answer them . . . 'dot dot dot, dot dot dot, dada dada dada dot..."
Cosimo Matassa
"'Good Rocking Tonight' by Roy Brown was the first record, in my experience, that showed how a confluence of music genres can help develop a new thing. It was blues, it was big band, it was gospel, and it had that pounding small band rhythm thing that was becoming really popular. So for me, it was the first rock and roll record. "
Cosimo Matassa
"What you found as that music grew and became commercially successful, that people like Art Rupe, Specialty Records, who did Little Richard and Tutti Frutti and that kind of thing, and Lew Chudd with Imperial Records who did Fats Domino, that they were looking for something new to do, but they also were sort of fans of the music and this happened with most of the guys who were the independent record producers of those early years. They did it as much out of love of the music as they did out of it being a way to maybe make a living or some money."
Allen Toussaint
"I usually say that we recorded enthusiasm first and then we checked to see if there was talent. However, they were really talented. There was so much spirit back then. Everyone was so excited to be getting involved. Besides Dave Bartholomew, who was a trail blazer, because he really has always been a trailblazer here, there was a new group of people coming into being, so the enthusiasm was poppin'. "
Dr. John
"You know what happened when the big band was coming to town. Man, the people would put on their best suit and their best dress, go out and get sophisticated to hear the big bands. But all at once, the younger generation wanted something different. They wanted to hear about the jump blues and they wanted to hear about the Lindy Hop that was going on in New York City. "
Deacon John, Speaking before Hurricaine Katrina
"People are aware of their cultural heritage and they want to preserve it and pass it down to the generations. The kids learn as they grow up and then they teach it to their families. That is what New Orleans is all about. Preserving our heritage and our traditions. And we don't want that to ever die..."