The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has always been rooted in tradition, and at this point, the group is a tradition itself to the point that quite a few of its albums are compilations with the kind of sepia-toned artwork usually reserved for artists who have been dead for decades.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the band has enjoyed an artistic renaissance over the last decade, and the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina whose destruction forced the temporary closure of the historic Preservation Hall, their home base for nearly 50 years has only fueled their fire. They dont venture into the recording studio often their last album of new material, the wonderful Shake That Thing, was released in 2004, and Preservation Hall Recordings mostly functions as an archival label but when they do, they make it count. For proof, look no further than Preservation: An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall, an album whose matter-of-fact title doesnt even hint at the many treasures it holds in store.
