Still Spicy Gumbo Stew

by Various Artists

The third and last volume of the Gumbo Stew series of retrospectives of the New Orleans-based AFO label is perhaps the least impressive of the set. That doesn't mean it's bad, just that much of the 24-song set is rather generic early-'60s Crescent City R&B (with a few cuts dating from the late '60s). However, that's a style which can be both generic and enjoyable, which most of this set is, due to the competence of the singers and players. Barbara George, Alvin Robinson, Eddie Bo, and pianist James Booker (represented by a previously unreleased instrumental) are all here. There are also a couple of enjoyable instrumentals by Dr. John (one previously unissed), "The Point" feature some seriously fierce cheese-o organ. Eddie Bo's bouncing "I Found a Little Girl" and Tami Lynn's sultry, soulful ballad "Baby" are also standouts, although on the whole the disc will mostly attract R&B specialists. ~ Richie Unterberger