Professor Longhair – Rock 'N' Roll Gumbo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Professor Longhair – Rock 'N' Roll Gumbo | Vinyl Record

 

 

updated 10/16/2026

 

 

 

Mardi Gras Records 1974 ‎– MG 1003

 

 

 description:

Rock ’N’ Roll Gumbo captures Professor Longhair, born 
Henry Roeland Byrd (1918–1980), in a remarkable return to 
the recording studio after years of relative obscurity. The sessions
 document the distinctive New Orleans piano style that made 
him one of the most influential figures in the development 
of rhythm and blues and early rock ’n’ roll.
The album blends rolling boogie-woogie piano, blues, Caribbean
 and rhumba-derived rhythms, syncopated New Orleans grooves,
 and the infectious party atmosphere of Mardi Gras. Longhair's 
vocal delivery is playful and conversational, while his piano
 playing combines percussive bass figures, intricate right-hand
 runs and unexpected rhythmic accents.
A major attraction is the musical partnership with guitarist and 
multi-instrumentalist Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. His blues 
guitar provides an expressive counterpoint to Longhair's piano, 
bringing additional depth and spontaneity to the performances. 
The result feels like an intimate New Orleans band performance
 rather than a heavily polished studio production. 

Although recorded in 1974, the album's release history is
 complicated: it first appeared in Europe on the French
 Blue Star label, with later American editions and remixes
 introducing changes to the track selection and sound.

credits:

Musicians:
 Professor Longhair (piano, vocals); 
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown (guitar, violin);
 Alfred “Uganda” Roberts (congas);
 Julius Farmer (bass); 
Edward “Sheba” Kimbrough (drums).
Tenor Saxophone [Uncredited] – Jerry Jumonville
Trumpet [Uncredited] – Steve Madaio

Recorded: April 3–4, 1974.
Studio: Studio in the Country, Bogalusa, Louisiana, USA.
 Producer – Philippe Rault
Recorded By, Mixed By  – Stephen Hodge

tracklist:

A1        Junco Partner
Written-By – Bob Shad
    3:29
A2        Meet Me Tomorrow Night
Written-By – Henry Roeland Byrd
    3:15
A3        Doin' It
Written-By – Henry Roeland Byrd
    3:41
A4        How Long Has That Train Been Gone
Written-By – Henry Roeland Byrd
    3:30
A5        Tipitina
Written-By – Henry Roeland Byrd
    3:37
A6        Rockin' Pneumonia
Written-By – Huey Smith*
    3:24
B1        Jambalaya
Written-By – Hank Williams
    3:19
B2        Mean Ol' World
Written-By – Henry Roeland Byrd
    3:35
B3        Stag-O-Lee
Arranged By – Henry Roeland Byrd
Written-By – Traditional
    4:42
B4        Mess Around
Written-By – A. Ertegun*
    2:07
B5        Hey Now Baby
Written-By – Henry Roeland Byrd
    3:37
B6        (They Call Me) Doctor Professor Longhair
Written-By – Henry Roeland Byrd
    4:17

 

 

 

Link available upon request