Various Artists: Treme: Music from the HBO Original Series, Season 1
Geffen
One of the most innovative television shows of the past year is Treme, which tracks the lives of several individuals in post-Katrina New Orleans. And one of the most exciting aspects of Treme is the omnipresent music, which spotlights the vast variety of sounds that one might encounter throughout the city – even as it struggles to be reborn. From strolling brass bands to vintage and modern jazz, funky R&B to piano blues, Treme is all about cultural connections, and this 19-track soundtrack, drawn from the program’s first season, offers a joyous cross-section of the city’s enduring traditions. Among the familiar names are Dr. John, Kermit Ruffins, Trombone Shorty and Irma Thomas, but some of the soundtrack’s true treasures come from lesser-known locals.
