John Carey doesn’t sound like Little Walter. He doesn’t attempt to recreate the massive tone of harp legend Little Walter. For a blues harmonica player, that approach is rare.

“I’m more interested in making music than trying to sound like another harmonica player,” says Carey, a New Orleans resident who settled in the Crescent City three years ago after stints in New England and New Mexico.

“I’d rather work in a part for a song than another harmonica solo — it’s a lot more effective.”

That’s a credo Carey’s honed since the early 80s, when he worked the Boston circuit. There he fronted the Eleventh Hour Band (which included Rosy Rosenblatt, harp player and now president of Tone-Cool Records), and was also a member of The Movers, who later went on to win the national Battle of the Blues Bands in Memphis, Tennessee. Carey then moved to Taos, where his musical options were limited. “In Taos, you could find one or two good drummers — here you can find hundreds. The caliber of musicianship here is the best in the world, and I wanted to explore the funk side of that. I’ve been listening to the Meters since the 70s, and was really influenced by them.”

Carey went straight to the source, enlisting the dean of Crescent City funk bassists, George Porter Jr., to guest on portions of Carey’s new CD Hot for Louisiana. The result is a satisfying platter of New Orleans syncopation and Memphis-influenced R&B; some of the horn playing and arrangements come courtesy of Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love, better known as The Memphis Horns.

“The sax player in the Eleventh Hour Band was playing with Joe Cocker at the time, and they were doing a live album and wanted to add horns to the live tracks. When he said they were going to use the Memphis Horns, I said, ‘God, I’d love to have them play on my record.’ He said, ‘They’re regular guys, why don’t you call them up? Here’s their number.’ This was when they were touring with Robert Cray…so I sent them the tapes, and they laid down their stuff on top of it. They know what they’re doing. I grew up listening to all the things they did with Stax Records, and Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding.”

While the marquee names certainly add to Hot For Louisiana, Carey’s strong songwriting shines through his Luther Kent-like vocals. The CD also gives a brief tip of the hat to Chicago with “Johnny’s Boogie,” the obligatory instrumental shuffle that showcases Carey’s harp licks, and “Blues for Bistra” is a moody 12-bar offering. Hot for Louisiana is one of the strongest self-produced local CD’s touching on blues themes in recent memory. The CD is available at The Louisiana Music Factory and Tower Records, or by writing Carey c/o Humanhood Productions, 828 Royal St. Box #105, New Orleans, LA 70116.

You can catch Carey live this month at the following venues: Tipitina’s French Quarter April 2, 3, 4, 23, 24 and 25 from 6 to 9 p.m.; Le Bon Temps Roulé April 3 at 10 p.m., April 14 at Kerry Irish Pub with Sarah Kramer; French Quarter Festival April 17 at 3:45 p.m. on the Miller Lawn Stage; Vic’s Kangaroo Café (duet show with guitarist John Fohl) on April 17; Hog’s Breath Saloon April 18, and a LMNOP showcase April 28 at the Dream Palace at 1:00 a.m.

B.B. King did it, John Lee Hooker did it, and now Louisiana legend Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown is venturing into the nightclub business. The name of the new venue, located in Dallas, Texas, is Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown’s One Foot in the Bayou, and the grand opening is April 9, with Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. providing the entertainment. Gatemouth christens his new venture the following night, April 10. For more information, call 214-744-BLUE.

In label news, Baton Rouge’s Kenny Neal has signed with Telarc Records, and the long-awaited follow-up to his 1994 Alligator CD Hoodoo Moon is due in June. His father Raful has completed a new CD for Club Louisianne Records, due out for JazzFest; look for a trio record from Luther Kent on Club Louisianne as well. Another fine Baton Rouge bluesman, Larry Garner, who’s recorded three excellent CDs for JSP and Verve, has reportedly signed with Ruf Records. Bandleader Dave Bartholomew has licensed new tracks to Atlanta’s Landslide Records for his next CD. Sherman Robertson, who played guitar for both Clifton Chenier and Rockin’ Dopsie before stepping out solo as a bluesman, is preparing to cut a CD with Little Feat drummer Ritchie Hayward and keyboardist Billy Payne, with Joe Harley producing (Harley’s done great work with Ronnie Earl, Joe Beard and Mighty Sam McClain). Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone heads into the studio next month to record his sophomore release for Bullseye Blues. Corey Harris recently contributed to a Woody Guthrie tribute album that features Billy Bragg, and Wilco as the backing band. Harris’ third album for Alligator is tentatively slated for a late summer/early fall release.

On Thursday, April 16, Tipitina’s Uptown hosts the second annual benefit concert for the New Orleans Public Library’s Summer Reading Club and other children’s programs. Last year’s benefit featured memorable performances from Keb’ Mo’ and Corey Harris, and the 1998 show promises more musical highlights. Brint Anderson, Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne (in an acoustic solo performance), and Mem Shannon and the Membership are all lending their talents to the cause. OffBeat is a proud sponsor of the show.