VARIOUS ARTISTS A History Of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues, Volumes One-Three (Rhino)

Twenty-one cuts spanning 20 years from way down yonder and the party never stops. A treasure trove of one-hit wonders, gumbo obscurities and madman rockin’ is yours for the buying. Volume two is the one that I keep coming back to the most. It features Ernie K-Doe refusing to name names (“A Certain Girl”), Benny Spellman getting his loveline traced (“Fortune Teller”), Frankie Ford capsizing like crazy (“Sea Cruise”) and the Showmen’s incomparable statement of purpose, “It Will Stand.” And so many more. Whether it’s a hit, a miss, or a party out of bounds, everything is hopelessly under the mysterious spell of that unique New Orleans sound. I feel a bit like Clarence “Frogman” Henry: I don’t know why I love it but I do. C.Z.