In a tiny, unassuming room in New Orleans' French Quarter, Cosimo Matassa worked magic.The savvy studio owner was one of the first to recognize the goldmine that was New Orleans' music scene. He has worked with the likes of Fats Domino, Big Joe Turner and Little Richard. Studio engineers rarely get credit for their crucial contributions to hits. But the sound of a recording just as much as a song’s rendition often provides the intangible element that puts it across. Listeners rarely identify this certain something as the hook that grabs them. Without its piercing appeal, however, they simply may not respond, and a hit will not ensue.No audio engineer has thrilled more listeners by imbuing more hits with more sonic excitement than Cosimo Matassa. Matassa worked on a shoestring budget.When you look at the incredible records this man had a hand in it new Orleans Royalty in the music biz....Matassa was born in New Orleans in 1926 and passed 2014. In 1944 he began studies as a chemistry major at Tulane University, which he abandoned after completing five semesters of course work. In 1945, at the age of 18, Matassa opened the J&M Recording Studio at the back of his family's shop on Rampart Street, on the border of the French Quarter in New Orleans.In 1955, he moved to the larger Cosimo Recording Studio on Gov. Nichols Street, nearby in the French Quarter.As an engineer and proprietor, Matassa was crucial to the development of the sound of R&B, rock and soul of the 1950s and 1960s, often working with the producers Dave Bartholomew and Allen Toussaint. He recorded many hits, including Fats Domino’s "The Fat Man" (a contender for the first rock and roll record), Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti", and records by Ray Charles, Lee Dorsey, Dr. John, Smiley Lewis, Bobby Mitchell, Tommy Ridgley, the Spiders and many others. He was responsible for developing what became known as the New Orleans sound, with strong drums, heavy guitar and bass, heavy piano, light horns and a strong vocal lead. In the late 1950s and early 1960s.
AMM
Cosimo Matassa Outside The J&M Studio Building In New Orleans
Review Courtesy Of Pmac
CD 1
The Taster!
CD 2
The Taster!
CD 3
The Taster!
CD 4
The Taster!
20 comments:
many thx Pmac for a splendid review!
Many thanks Pmac and AMM for a very interesting compilation
Reb
You are quite welcome, AMM. Was fortunate enough to have attended a birthday party for Mr. Cosimo, a couple of years before he passed. He claimed that the key to the sound of his records was a properly mic'ed baritone sax. Coincidentally, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is taking place now, for the 1st time on 3 years. Sadly, its also where you won't find this type of music, because the promoters instead opt for those notable NO artists like The Who and Lionel Ritchie. Enjoy these discs, folks; its the greatest compilation of the NO sound that I've found.
Thanks pmac and AMM for the nice review and pictures of this New Orleans Giant.
Looks like a very interesting box set i will say a lot of the songs are not known to me even thou the artists are probably because you don't get this type of sounds where i live so this is great to hear for the first time i thank you P Mac & AMM for this presentation. Had a look at that line up for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival quite a lot of them act generally find there way to the blues and roots festival until it shut here very disappointing.
Cheers Pedro
Thank you AMM For this great 4 album series,Much Appreciated
A great set I've seen before and thought I had - but I don't. Thanks for the review!
Thanks for this box set AMM and Pmac
Welcome back, AMM! And congratulations to everyone for this wonderful box set. Thanks for review, P.
Thanks Pmac for sharing this essential story.
Something very special for this Sunday. Thanks Pmac and AMM
This looks like an Excellent review thanks for sharing
You might have gone fishing but I believe we got the bigger catch. This 4 cd is one hell of a catch. Great music. Thanks once again AMM
@Pmac i really envy you seems you have had a lot at there N.O.!
thank you so much for this set lotta fun!
The Man-The Myth-The Mixologist! We have much to thank for Mr. M!
Thanks AMM!!
Thanks for volume 1 and 2 of this series
Thanks for the review AMM and Pmac
I like the looks of this. Great review. Thx
Great review of the NOLA master
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