In early 1927 heavy rains in the central United States caused the Mississippi River to flood and overflow its banks down river in Louisiana. Randy Newman's 1975 song documented that event. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, this song's lyrics have a new meaning. And with recordings by Aaron Neville and others, Louisiana 1927 has become a musical response to the floods of 2005, reminding us that Louisiana will recover just as it did from the floods of 1927. This haunting new choral arrangement by Jay Althouse adds an optional clarinet. |
