Issue Articles — BackTalk
Ledisi Talks Back
In March, following a string of nominations that began in 2008, Ledisi won her first Grammy Award. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the New Orleans-born singer and actress accepted the […]
Shannon McNally Talks Back
As a singer-songwriter who performs any American roots music of her choosing with panache, Shannon McNally reinterprets one of outlaw country’s founding rebels with the recent release of The Waylon […]
David Shaw Talks Back
A quiet year for David Shaw, front man for the Revivalists, would probably be a noisy one for most anyone else. The Revivalists haven’t been completely inactive during the pandemic. […]
Merry Clayton Talks Back
Beautiful Scars testifies to New Orleans native Merry Clayton’s spirit, faith and talent. A labor of love, the beautifully soulful album also reveals the affection the singer’s famous friends hold […]
Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes Talks Back
The world knows Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes as the singing, accordion-playing front man for Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots. On Mardi Gras morning, though, he fills another significant cultural role. Since […]
Irma Thomas talks back
Irma Thomas’ fans are on a first-name basis with New Orleans’ first lady of soul. She considers them members of her international family. The mutual loyalty Thomas and her followers […]
Dan Penn talks back
Dan Penn loves to sing. But more often than not, other singers are singing the songs he’s written. A master tunesmith, Penn created a poignant catalog of soul classics. He […]
Delfeayo Marsalis talks back
During these hard coronavirus times, Delfeayo Marsalis has founded Keep NOLA Music Alive. The nonprofit organization will benefit New Orleans musicians who, because their city’s music venues are closed during […]
Johnny Vidacovich talks back
With ’Bout Time, Johnny Vidacovich adds a career-defining album to his more than 100 recordings. ’Bout Time features the master drummer from New Orleans with his Astral Project bandmate of […]
Dave Pirner talks back
After residing in New Orleans for 17 years, Soul Asylum leader Dave Pirner moved back to Minneapolis in 2018. The Grammy-winning, platinum-selling creator of the 1990s hits “Runaway Train” and […]
