From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Louisiana 1927
Louisiana 1927
"Louisiana 1927" is a 1974 song telling the story of the times, but Newman performed the original in the key of
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 that left 700,000 people G-major. Newman’s version starts out with piano solo,
homeless in Louisiana and Mississippi. The song was but builds into including a whole orchestra. Of particular
written and originally recorded by Randy Newman on note is the original recording’s use of the triangle, which
the album Good Old Boys. is prominent.
Lyrics Hurricane Katrina
Sung from the perspective of a neutral narrator recount- The song became identified with Hurricane Katrina in
ing the flooding of Saint Bernards and Plaquemines the public consciousness after being sung by Aaron
parishes during the flood, "Louisiana 1927" features Neville at NBC’s "A Concert for Hurricane Relief", being
lyrics that depict the lament of the residents of those sung by Newman at the multi-network television
parishes in the aftermath of the flood. In particular, the fundraiser "Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the
narrator lays out the widespread nature of the destruc- Gulf Coast," and a fully orchestrated version of the song
tion ("river has busted through clear down to Plaquem- performed by Newman during Saturday Night Live’s
ine") and the volume of water the flood produced ("six Mardi Gras Special. A new recording of the orchestrated
feet of water in the streets of Evangeline"). Also touched version is included on the Katrina charity album, "Our
on is the callous response of the federal government, em- New Orleans," on Nonesuch Records. In 2007 the song
bodied by the appearance of President Calvin Coolidge, was covered by Ray Stevens on his tribute album to New
whose reaction to the devastation is a disingenuous Orleans and Louisiana culture titled "New Orleans
"ain’t it a shame", followed by his calling the people of Moon". New Orleans-based singer/pianist Marcia Ball al-
the area "crackers", an epithet. so covered the song at several Katrina benefit concerts.
Music External links
The song is written in the style of a lament, and is typical-
ly performed at a slow tempo. It has been covered many
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Louisiana_1927&oldid=467730348"
Categories:
• 1974 songs
• Randy Newman songs
• Songs written by Randy Newman
• Songs based on actual events
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