Every now and then some music crosses my threshold that makes me appreciate the depth of the New Orleans scene. I have seen the name Jon Roniger numerous times in listings over the years, but never had the opportunity to see him live. You can check out his music here.
From reading his bio, it turns out he has been playing around town and on the road for years. He describes his style as, “American songwriting, blending New Orleans style jazz and blues with folk story telling.”
I agree. But I must add one caveat, which for me at least, makes for even more compelling listening. The first seven songs on his latest release, Gypsy Land, are sung in French.
One of the advantages of listening to pop music in another language is you can’t tell if the lyrics are weak unless you speak the tongue. So in general, and I listen to a lot of Brazilian pop, I am able to enjoy the music regardless of what the song is actually about.
That warning aside, after the first seven songs on Roniger’s new album, I am digging it. The instrumentation is jazzy with great horn work; the vocals are passionate. Then comes a song in English called “Mr. Oyster.” It’s witty and catchy. It hits all the right marks for a New Orleans songwriter without being clichéd. Two other English language songs follow. This is his first recording in French.
I am looking forward to hearing Roniger live. He plays tonight at the Maison between 4-7 PM with his quartet and an in-store release party at the Louisiana Music Factory on Saturday at 2 PM. Mo’ Jelly follows at 3 PM.
Rongier also plays a solo set at DMac’s Saturday night at 7 PM.
