The Iguanas
NewMusicforOldFolks says …
Only in the gumbo that is New Orleans would The Iguanas be possible. Only there could this group of 50-something guys continue to make a living playing their mix of music. The influences are all over the place. There's Latin (about half of most of their albums are sung in Spanish and their only "hit" "Oye, Isabel" is half in English, half in Spanish). There's sort of Blues infused garage Rock, a little Zydeco and even some Jazz. Sax player Joe Cabral is featured prominently throughout. Even when Hurricane Katrina sent them to Austin, Texas, for a couple of years, The Iguanas were a New Orleans original.
Artist's Info
Website: iguanas.com
See them live: Tour dates
Record company: New West Records
Genre: Blues, Roots
If you like this, look into: Calexico, The Subdudes, The Radiators
Bio (from the artist's website)
What if Americana actually encompassed ALL of North America? You'd have the Franco-Acadian inflections of Canada, as best exemplified by le accordion, blues and jazz, the only truly indigenous musics the U.S. has ever produced, and the lilting grace and fiery passion of the music of Mexico. You'd also have New Orleans' premiere distillers of this continental musical melange, The Iguanas, and their new album Juarez. Taking their cues from all of the above influences and then some, Juarez, the band's first studio album since 2012's Sin to Sin, redefines the notion of Americana, crossing cultures, styles, eras... and even languages. It's as if Rue Bourbon, Muscle Shoals and Plaza México were all within earshot of each other and The Iguanas were the musical conduit between them. (more)
Spotify sampler
Recordings
Most Recent
JUAREZ (2014): The Iguanas returns with more of the New Orleans-infused Conjunto-Blues-Roots-Rock that they have honed as their signature sound for almost 30 years. Track 1 "Love, Sucker" delivers Stax-worthy swamp southeren R&B, followed by a solemn piece that brings a unique perspective of personal loss from ongoing violence in "Blues for Juarez," then the band shifts to a 60s-inspired groove on "Soul Kiss." The rest doesn't disappoint, with polkas and cumbias mixed into the gumbo of sounds Iguanas fans look forward to like a one-of-a-kind dish at your favorite restaurant.
Others
The Iguanas (1993)
Nuevo Boogaloo (1994)
Super Ball (1996)
Sugartown (1999)
Live Iguanas (2002)
Plastic Silver 9-Volt Heart (2003)
If You Should Ever Fall on Hard Times (2008)
Sin To Sin (2012)
