If you’re not in New Orleans, you are (like me, unfortunately) in the wrong place. Sigh. Maybe next year.

Back to the Indians in a bit … in the meantime, if you don’t know them already, you need to learn the four primary Mardi Gras songs:

Professor Longhair, “Go to the Mardi Gras” (audio only)

The Hawketts, “Mardi Gras Mambo” (audio only)

Al Johnson, “Carnival Time” (audio only)

Earl King, Dr. John, Professor Longhair and The Meters (!!!) — FULL VIDEO!

Now, time for some Mardi Gras Indians:

The Wild Magnolias, “All On A Mardi Gras Day” (audio only, with slideshow)

The Wild Tchoupitoulas, “My Big Chief Got A Golden Crown” (audio only, with slideshow)

Big Chief Albert Lambreaux, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and other Indians, singing “Indian Red” in memory of a fellow Indian taken by the Federal Flood after Hurricane Katrina, interrupted by Larry Ragusa (from HBO’s “Treme”)

A little brass band music on the streets …

Rebirth Brass Band, “Do Whatcha Wanna” (filmed in the French Quarter on April 24, 2008, the day before Jazzfest began)

Finally, my favorite band out of New Orleans these days:

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, “One Night Only” (performance from the David Letterman Show)

HAPPY MARDI GRAS, Y’ALL!!