TITLE: Spirit of New Orleans

ARTIST: Liz McComb

STARS: 4 out of 5 Stars

SOUNDS LIKE: New Orleans jazz flavored gospel music

If the south had a soundtrack it would be a mix of jazz, blues and holy rolling church music. Both “Devil’s Music” and “God’s Music,” as some called it, and the twain should never meet. Of course what was played on Saturday night would oftimes spill over into the pews on Sunday morning.

The result would be a spirit filled, Holy Ghost catching experience. Music dripping in sweat from both on high and down low that spoke of both pain and salvation.

Liz McComb taps into that sweat drenched Sunday gospel spirit with “The Spirit of New Orleans. A 12 song pre-Katrina (this was recorded pre-Katrina in April 2001) collection of songs that capture the true spirit and soul of southern black gospel.

“I’ve wanted to make some music in New Orleans for the longest time,” said the Ohio born McComb from a press release. “It’s like the mecca of music. I love New York, Los Angeles and other cities for what they are. But when you talk about jazz music, you have to go to New Orleans. And you can’t just go to the jazz spots, you’ve got to visit the churches - where people bring their instruments right inside.” McComb’s voice sounds more like that of a juke joint chanteuse than a gospel songstress. It’s raw and guttural but still has a reverent spiritual quality.

She’s backed by a talented group of local New Orleans local musicians. Their instruments are a gumbo mix of tuba, accordion, guitar, organ and drums.

The CD is a mix of traditional and original pieces. But McComb puts an updated feel on the older tunes.

“Old Man River” sounds much different than the widely know Paul Robeson signature tune. It starts out here like a funeral march and quickly slides into a nightclub lament. It’s my favorite song on the CD.

“We Are More” is another gem. It sounds like a rousing Holy Roller church, piano driven stomp and clap but has a somewhat tribal feel to it.

Overall, Spirit of New Orleans is an excellent CD from a very soulful and talented songstress.