Social organization and sonic connections of “Iko Iko”–Dr. John and The Dixie Cups
Primarily, the most important social organization components are who makes the music, what kinds of training do the musicians have and who listens to the music. The Cresent city is a diverse musical melting pot. “Iko Iko” is a community song and is a personal landmark of New Orleans musical culture. The sweet consonant harmony and vocal call and response are major facets of “Iko Iko”. “Iko Iko” is a playful song and it pays tribute to the spirit of New Orleans.
First of all, Dr. John’s version of “Iko Iko” is simply amazing. He creates a communal musical atmosphere as he masterfully plays his piano in a major key. His vocals mesh well together with the back up chorus singers. For example, it’s perfect call and response synchronization.
The sense of community in this song comes forth in a celebratory and participatory manner! Dr. John described his 1972 album “Dr. John’s Gumbo”: “this album is like a picture of the music New Orleans people listen to, a combination of Dixieland, Rock and Roll, and Funk. (It’s) a basic good-time New Orleans blues and stomp music with a little Dixieland jazz and some Spanish rumba blues” (Pg. 150-151).
New Orleans is heavily influenced by the sounds of Afro-Caribbean music as well as cajun music. It’s a musical city brimming with different musical influences and styles. For example, Mac Rebenneck was heavily influenced by the musical sounds of Little Richard, Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Bill Broonzy, and Professor Longhair. Music is such a huge part of his life. When talking about social organization, I must mention the topic of segregation in early 1960′s era New Orleans. According to Dr. John, ” When I traveled with black acts, I was like, put in the back and passed off [as black]. You did what you had to do to survive. This was real ixnay stuff. When you left parts of Orleans Parish and hit Jefferson or St. Bernard Parish, if I sat in with a black band, I could cost them their gig” ( pg. 146-147).
Dr. John is bringing forth Mardi Gras Indian influences in “Iko Iko” so he can identify with New Orleans culture. It is so important to treasure New Orleans musical traditions. By performing a song such as “Iko Iko”, New Orleans traditions are kept alive for future generations. The song builds such a strong sense of community and togetherness.
In 1965, the Dixie Cups sang their own version of “Iko Iko”. Thereby creating their own individual tribute to the legacy of the song. The Dixie Cups perform at Jazz Fest which is a landmark musical gathering. For example, everyone knows that Nashville, Tennessee is home to the Grand Ole Opry. Jazz Fest is New Orleans’ equivalent to the Grand Ole Opry.
Both Dr. John and The Dixie Cups are professional musicians and their musical legacies will always be remembered. Along with the success of “Iko Iko”, the Dixie Cups are most remembered for the hit song “Chapel of Love”. People who listen to “Iko Iko” are free to treasure their cultural pride. They can feel proud to be a part of New Orleans. Anyone who listens to “Iko Iko” immediately associates it with New Orleans. Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the spirit of New Orleans music and community will live on forever.
In conclusion, the magic of “Iko Iko” continues to bring music patrons together.
Works Cited
Lichtenstein, Grace, and Laura Dankner. Mucho Gumbo: The Music of New Orleans.
New York: W.W. Norton, 1993. Print.
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