Babe Stovall: Pied Piper Of New Orleans
A Landmark Voice from Jackson Square
A street musician, showman, and New Orleans fixture, Babe Stovall brought the Delta blues to life with an unforgettable voice and guitar style that mesmerized tourists, locals, and music lovers alike. Pied Piper of New Orleans showcases the depth of his artistry, blending ragtime, gospel, and country blues with vibrant storytelling and raw emotional power.
About the Collection
This album launches a new series of field recordings by folklorist David Evans, featuring blues, gospel, and folk music captured across the South between the 1960s and 1980s. Babe Stovall, Evans’ first major musical collaborator, takes center stage in this inaugural release, with recordings made in New Orleans, Franklinton, and Clifton, Louisiana.
The sessions feature Stovall solo and in collaboration with musicians including Roosevelt Holts, Herb Quinn, O.D. Jones, Dink Brister, and Marc Ryan, who also contributes an in-depth essay.
What’s Included
- 17 audio tracks recorded in Louisiana in 1966
- View the complete tracklist here: [Insert hosted PDF link]
- 28-page digital booklet (PDF) featuring:
- Photographs from the 1960s field sessions
- Essays by folklorists David Evans and Marc Ryan
- Biographical notes on Babe Stovall and his collaborators
About Babe Stovall
Born in Mississippi in 1907, Jewell “Babe” Stovall carried the sounds of the Delta into the French Quarter of New Orleans, where he spent his final years performing for students, tourists, and locals from park benches in Jackson Square. His repertoire included blues standards, bawdy ragtime songs, and spirituals—delivered with passion, grit, and a uniquely syncopated guitar style.
Praise & Reviews
“The blues from Evans' field work in the 1960s and 1970s ranks among the most important, and consistently enjoyable, recorded in those decades.” “…delivers sheer pleasure from start to finish.”
— Ray Templeton, Blues & Rhythm
