Crawfish Fiesta is an album recorded in 1979 by Professor Longhair during his revival period only months before his death in January 1980.[3] It was released by Alligator Records in 1980.[4] It features Dr. John, who reprised his original role as guitarist in Longhair's band, Johnny Vidacovich on drums, Tony Dagradi and Andrew Kaslow on sax, and Longhair's long time conga player Alfred "Uganda" Roberts.[5] The album was recorded at the Sea-Saint Studios in New Orleans and it was co-produced by Kaslow, his wife Allison and Bruce Iglauer. It won the first W.C. Handy Blues Album of the Year award in 1980. It was also voted as one of the Top 10 Albums of the Year by The New York Times.

Crawfish Fiesta
Studio album by Professor Longhair
Released	1980
Recorded	1979
Genre	New Orleans blues New Orleans R&B Louisiana blues boogie-woogie
Length	42:18
Label	Alligator
Producer	Allison Kaslow, Andrew Kaslow, Bruce Iglauer

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Robert Christgau	A[1]
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings	[2]

On October 16, 2012, Alligator Records reissued the album on vinyl with one previously unreleased bonus track, a cover Percy Mayfield's "River's Invitation" which was recorded during rehearsal of the recording session of this album[6][7]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Roy Byrd; except where indicated

1. "Big Chief" (Earl King; Ulis Gaines, Wardell Quezergue) – 3:13
2. "Her Mind is Gone" – 4:23
3. "Something on Your Mind" (Big Jay McNeely) – 4:10
4. "You're Driving Me Crazy" – 2:34
5. "Red Beans" (McKinley Morganfield) – 4:09
6. "Willie Fugal's Blues" – 2:03
7. "It's My Fault Darling" (Miles Grayson, Lermon Horton) – 4:54
8. "In the Wee Wee Hours" – 3:23
9. "Cry to Me" (Bert Russell) – 3:35
10. "Bald Head" – 2:58
11. "Whole Lotta Lovin'" (Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino) – 3:46
12. "Crawfish Fiesta" – 3:10[3]
13. "River's Invitation" (Percy Mayfield) (bonus rehearsal track, 2012) – 3:14

Personnel

• Professor Longhair - vocals, piano
• Dr. John - guitar
• Tony Dagradi - tenor saxophone, horn arrangements
• Andrew Kaslow - tenor saxophone, horn arrangements
• Jim Moore - baritone saxophone
• Alfred "Uganda" Roberts - conga
• Johnny Vidacovich - drums
• David Lee Watson - bass
• Mac Rebennack - assistant producer[5]

References