The Wardell Querzerque Sessions (1966-1967)

Let's face it: the name Wardell Quezerque is known only to hardcore R&B fans, those that not only seriously study liner notes, but retain information (a common problem for record geeks with too many names and labels floating around in their heads). To translate the title for those that don't already know, Wardell Quezerque was a producer and co-owner of Nola Records, the label that released all 24 of the tracks on Night Train's 2002 Robert Parker reissue, The Wardell Quezerque Sessions. Foremost among these, of course, is "Barefootin'," the ebullient dance single that was Parker's one big hit. Along with its flip side, the equally infectious "Let's Go Baby (Where the Action Is)," it is the only number here to have previously been reissued. Earlier CD compilations, such as Collectables' Barefootin': Golden Classics, sample from several different labels, and phases, of his career. Although they cover more ground, they don't necessarily provide a better introduction, since most fans of "Barefootin'" are looking for more tunes in that vein, and this collection provides it in spades with 24 tracks of nimble, melodic New Orleans R&B. This is certainly on the lighter side of New Orleans R&B, opting for rolling beats, happy vocals (best illustrated on his covers of "Mr. Pitiful" and "In the Midnight Hour," which are fun, but not nearly as impassioned as those by Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett), and overall effervescent touch, reminiscent of a "pop"-ier Lee Dorsey, which can be quite charming. This holds true throughout the collection, even when the quality of the material dips, which it admittedly does: the covers are often misguided, and while the many attempts to recapture the magic of "Barefootin'" are amusing ("The Scratch," "Everybody's Hip Huggin'," "Happy Feet,"and "Barefootin' Boogaloo"), they wear thin after a while. These do take up a bit more of the track listing than they should, but there are little gems scattered throughout here, such as the wonderful "Heading for a Fall," which makes this not just of interest to serious New Orleans R&B collectors (after all, all of this material was impossible to find on CD prior to this), but this is the place to go for those that want more Robert Parker, because it sure is true this all delivers on the sound of "Barefootin'." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine