Anders Osborne
New Orleans singer-songwriter Anders Osborne has just released his sixth studio album Coming Down, a heartfelt record just in time for the holiday season. On the long player, Osborne relates much of the pain and destruction felt by New Orleaners following Hurricane Katrina, as his southern croon bellows delicately over a collection of funk-jazz-blues fusion tracks. Osborne has the unique ability to make a ballad so thoroughly captivating, as his voice ebbs and flows with real emotive power. “Summertime in New Orleans” is a James Taylor-esque ballad that celebrates the rich musical history of the song title’s namesake. “When I’m Back On My Feet” is a higher charged track, although a tad long clocking in at 7:49. The cheery, tuba-toting “Back on Dumaine” is a definite highlight on the album, contrasted with the slow lament on “Oh Katrina”.
The truth is that although New Orleans seems to take a particular significance on this album, I would be remiss to simply cast this album as a regional tribute. Coming Down is an album that celebrates revival in the aftermath of tragedy. If Osborne can come up with such a lovingly sweet commemoration of his beloved city, then surely we can find it within us to make the best out of our own tragedies.
You won’t regret it-Buy Coming Down.
Listen to “Back on Dumaine” (5/5)
Listen to “Summertime in New Orleans” (5/5)
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