Professor Porkchop and the Dishes: U R My Everything

Chris McCaa, A.K.A. Professor Porkchop, has a voice that is the lovechild of Randy Newman and John Hiatt, seasoned with Tabasco and gin. His piano channels Professor Longhair, Mac Rebennack and Antoine Domino, while his B-3 chops are from the acid depths of Vieux Carre by way of New Iberia. His writing and arranging are a rich roux of the region, informed by Mississippi blues, swamp rock, Zydeco, Caribbean breakdowns and languide island sways. On his second recording, U R My Everything, McCaa reaches deep into his bag of humor and talent to produce eleven bona fide original tunes, each with an independent identity while never forgetting where they came from.

"Blame It On The Moon" stirs white and black gospel into the base of Americana to make a soulful hymn to placing proper responsibility. McCaa doubles on piano and organ, giving the piece a high top and low bottom. Drummer Brady Blade, sonically unadorned throughout the recording, punches the time. "Move to New Orleans" is a street drag march about living the lowlife. "Sprague Street Rag" is all Jelly Roll Morton on the street where the whinin' boy lives. The instrumental "Puerto Rico Hotel" summons the spirit of Louis Moreau Gottschalk from his Brooklyn grave to play electric piano to the Caribbean humidity of the music. Porkchop has the chops and shares them widely.