Personnel: Professor Longhair (vocals, piano).
A nice, measured set of tracks from Professor Longhair that includes the jazzy "Byrd's Blues," a couple of versions of "Hey Now Baby," the easy-shuffling "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" and a take on the classic "Tipitina," this Proper introduction is exactly that, a formal introduction to this fine New Orleans R&B piano player. There are more complete and archival sets of the Professor out there, certainly, but this one rolls where it oughta, which is probably all that really counts. ~ Steve Leggett
Plenty of rarities are featured on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, making it a valuable cross-section of Professor Longhair's early releases. Both sides of the pianist's first two 78s for Star Talent Records are aboard, as well as sides he cut for Mercury, Federal ("Curly Haired Baby," "Gone So Long"), Wasco ("East St. Louis Baby"), Atlantic, and Ebb. ~ Bill Dahl minimize