In this series, we're featuring classic Mardi Gras songs and the stories behind them.
This episode delves into the Mardi Gras Indian classic, 'Indian Red,' a song with a storied history and a footnote as being one of the first Mardi Gras Indian recordings. In 1976, Big Chief Jolly and The Wild Tchoupitoulas recorded this track with members of The Meters. The men worked out of one room at Sea-Saint Studios in Gentilly. Not isolating the tracks provided a sound true to the Indians street voices for this spiritual call that can be heard across the city on Mardi Gras Day.
"It's an anthem," says Art Neville, one of the musicians on the track and nephew to Big Chief Jolly.
Listen to the full piece on this iconic Mardi Gras Indian song below.
- WWOZ