I
almost submitted this album in 2025. It was one of my favourites of the
year. But ultimately there are only so many weeks in the year.
I've
been a fan of Jon Batiste for about ten years now. Like most of his
fans who are not from New Orleans--I am, after all, only from Orleans--I
first heard of him as the leader of the band Stay Human, the house band
on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." Even watching him as the show
went to, or came back from, its commercial breaks, he brought an
infectious energy to his performances that is hard not to smile at.
I finally broke down and bought his 2021 album We Are.
While the album was not a barnstorming bestseller (like many of the
albums in my collection), it strangely went on to win four Grammy Awards
in 2022--Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance
for the song "Cry," Best Music Video for the song "Freedom," and the big
one... Album of the Year. Having won an Oscar with Nine Inch Nails for
their score for the movie Soul, Batiste's career seemed to be going nowhere but up. He felt it was time to move on.
He
soon left Colbert and Stay Human (which has since been renamed The Late
Show Band led by guitarist Louis Cato), married writer and motivational
speaker Suleika Jaouad, and released three more albums, all of which
exude that infectious energy that I so admire. His latest is no
exception. It's upbeat, joyous, and makes me want to dance.
Personally, I think we need more energy like that in the world. We need
more Jon Batistes. So I feel it's an obligation, even a duty, to share
it with you here and now. Featuring guest appearances by Andra Day, No
ID, and the great Randy Newman (who made it worth the price of the
album for me) along with a return apparance by Batiste's music curating
alter ego Billy Bob Bo Bob, please enjoy BIG MONEY.
Until
next week, stay safe, be good to your neighbours, and please remember
that if at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for
you.
Yours in peace, love, and rock 'n' roll!
The Reverend Will the Thrill
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