A New Orleans Brass Band tradition, this song has been covered in a multitude of genres, by an ever growing number of entertainers. Though the words may change from version to version, the feel and heart of it is everlasting.
This song reminds me of the HBO show "Treme." Being an avid fan of "The Wire," it seemed only fitting to check out David Simon and Eric Overmeyers' next project. I can tell you without pause that Treme is an incredible show, with remarkable writing, acting, and directing. Like it's predecesor, this show took me a few episodes to get into as well. We're so bogged down by typical surface television these days that when something authentic actually comes along, it takes a bit for us to catch on. The lingo, the music, the flavor, is all New Orleans. Just as The Wire took some getting used to (Police lingo and politics set on the streets of Baltimore), Treme too will force the best viewer out of you. By time you get to the third season though, you'll feel like you understand a whole new lifestyle and culture, inside out. It's not to be missed.
As such, the show plays as much New Orleans music as one can probably stand in a 60-minute period. It's absolutely mind blowing how much of it is out there, and how much of it the show actually represents. "Lil Liza Jane" is one of the best, and it's been covered by some of my favorite artists such as Nina Simone, The Band ("Go Go Liza Jane"), The Wood Brothers, and more. The original song dates back to the 1910's if not further, and it soon came to be known as a Southern dialect song. It's further noted that it's similarity to the ever famous "Camptown Races" song may date this song even further back. Regardless, it doesn't seem like it will be forgotten anytime soon.
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