John Brovens iconic, critically-acclaimed tome Walking To New Orleans, subtitled The Story Of New Orleans Rhythm &Blues, was published in August 1974 as a spinoff of Blues Unlimited

It was, in Brovens own words:An original study of New Orleans R&B, chronicling the exciting rise and dramatic fall of the citys R&B era, from the 1940s through the 1960s, focusing mainly on the artists history, on records. The story is enhanced by first-hand interviews with many of the leading exponents of the local music scene, including musicians, producers, songwriters, disc jockeys, jukebox operators, and studio and record-label owners.

To celebrate its 50th Anniversary, John has compiled a belated aural accompaniment to his fine book.

Its not a typical New Orleans Greatest Hits set, as there are already plenty on the market, but largely a collection of less readily known recordings by the featured artists.

Track Listing

DISC ONE
1. FATS DOMINO – WALKING TO NEW ORLEANS
2. ROY BROWN – GOOD ROCKING TONIGHT
3. JEWEL KING – 3 X 7 = 21
4. FATS DOMINO – LITTLE BEE
5. ARCHIBALD – GREAT BIG EYES
6. LLOYD PRICE – MAILMAN BLUES
7. THE SPIDERS – YOU’RE THE ONE
8. FATS DOMINO – SWANEE RIVER HOP
9. GUITAR SLIM – THE STORY OF MY LIFE
10. SMILEY LEWIS – REAL GONE LOVER
11. BILLY TATE – SINGLE LIFE
12. LITTLE BOOKER – THINKIN’ ‘BOUT MY BABY
13. TOMMY RIDGLEY – JAM UP
14. PAPA LIGHTFOOT – WINE, WOMEN, WHISKEY
15. THE HAWKETTS – MARDI GRAS MAMBO
16. CHARLES ‘HUNGRY’ WILLIAMS – SO GLAD SHE’S MINE
17. BIG BOY MYLES – WHO’S BEEN FOOLING YOU?
18. LI’L MILLET AND HIS CREOLES – RICH WOMAN
19. BOBBY MITCHELL – TRY ROCK AND ROLL
20. ROY MONTRELL – (Every Time I Hear) THAT MELLOW SAXOPHONE
21. LITTLE RICHARD – SLIPPIN’ AND SLIDIN’ (Peepin’ And Hidin’)
22. PAUL GAYTEN – THE MUSIC GOES ROUND AND ROUND
23. AMOS MILBURN – CHICKEN SHACK
24. ROY BROWN – SATURDAY NIGHT
25. SMILEY LEWIS – SHAME, SHAME, SHAME
26. HUEY ‘PIANO’ SMITH & THE CLOWNS – LITTLE LIZA JANE
27. SUGAR BOY CRAWFORD – SHE’S GOTTA WOBBLE (When She Walks)
28. DAVE BARTHOLOMEW – THE MONKEY
29. PROFESSOR LONGHAIR – LOOK WHAT YOU’RE DOIN’ TO ME (Oooh-Wee, Baby)
30. EARL KING – WELL-O, WELL-O, WELL-O BABY
31. EDDIE BO – OH-OH
32. ART NEVILLE – CHA DOOKY-DOO

DISC TWO
1. JERRY BYRNE – LIGHTS OUT
2. EARL KING – EVERYBODY’S CARRIED AWAY
3. EDDIE LANG – EASY ROCKIN’
4. MAC REBENNACK – STORM WARNING
5. HUEY AND JERRY – SEA CRUISE
6. BOBBY MARCHAN & THE CLOWNS – ROCKIN’ BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN
7. ROBERT PARKER – ALL NITE LONG PT. 1
8. LENNY CAPELLO & THE DOTS – COTTON CANDY
9. LEE ALLEN – CREOLE ALLEY
10. JOE & ANN – GEE BABY
11. AL JOHNSON – CARNIVAL TIME
12. JESSIE HILL – OOH POO PAH DOO PT. 2
13. FATS DOMINO – BEFORE I GROW TOO OLD
14. BOBBY CHARLES – I JUST WANT YOU
15. FRANKIE FORD – WHAT’S GOING ON
16. JOE JONES – I LOVE YOU STILL
17. AARON NEVILLE – OVER YOU
18. JIMMY RIVERS COMBO – THE BLUE EAGLE PT. 1
19. CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY – LITTLE SUZY
20. TOMMY RIDGLEY – SHOULD I EVER LOVE AGAIN
21. ERNIE K-DOE – REAL MAN
22. HUEY ‘PIANO’ SMITH & THE CLOWNS – SOMEBODY TOLD IT
23. FORD EAGLIN – TRAVELIN’ MOOD
24. PRINCE LA LA – SHE PUT THE HURT ON ME
25. CHRIS KENNER – PACKIN’ UP
26. BLAZER BOY – NEW ORLEANS TWIST
27. EDDIE BO – CHECK MR. POPEYE
28. IRMA THOMAS – I DID MY PART
29. EARL KING – ALWAYS A FIRST TIME
30. REGGIE HALL – THE JOKE
31. LEE DORSEY – BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL
32. SHIRLEY & LEE – DON’T STOP NOW
33. FATS DOMINO – SO LONG