You have gotta hear this: Music from Louisiana natives

The soundtrack of Louisiana is as varied as its people. It’s an accordion-fueled zydeco riff. It’s swamp pop—rock ‘n’ roll with a Cajun attitude. It’s gritty blues that speak to your soul. It’s down-home country and sultry jazz. It is, no doubt, one-of-a-kind.

Listen for yourself as you add these new releases from Louisiana artists to your playlist.

Album: “Blessed” by Lucinda Williams

The Lake Charles native and Grammy Award winner is known for her songwriting abilities, and her new album features 12 original songs that speak to a range of familiar emotions. The album’s deluxe edition includes a bonus disk of the demos recorded at Williams’ kitchen table. 

Album: “In Concert on Broadway” by Harry Connick Jr.

Recorded during his sold-out run at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York last July, “In Concert on Broadway” features Connick crooning on such songs as “We Are in Love” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” He also infuses his signature New Orleans style with songs like “Take Her to the Mardi Gras” and “Bourbon Street Parade.” 

Album: “Medicine” by Tab Benoit

Louisiana blues/roots music at its best. Described as “100-percent pure musical snake oil,” “Medicine” will be released April 26. Benoit, a Louisiana Music Hall of Fame member, recorded the album at Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana, and it features Anders Osborne, Ivan Neville, Michael Doucet, Corey Duplechin, and Brady Blade. 

Album: “Zu Zu Soiree” by Dr. John

Appropriately released on Mardi Gras, March 8, 2011, “Zu Zu Soiree” features a collection of 28 tracks from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee. The compilation of hits from the 1960s and ’70s includes “Mama Roux,” “Tipitina,” and “Wash Mama Wash.” 

Album: “Icon” by Aaron Neville

This budget-priced collection, released in March, contains re-releases from A&M Records such as “Everybody Plays the Fool,” “A Change is Gonna Come,” and his version of Randy Newman’s “Louisiana 1927.” 

Album: "River Road" by River Road

The country band River Road made a name for itself in the 1990s with songs such as "Nickajack" and "I Broke It, I'll Fix It" before disbanding in 2000. Now the group is back together and has released a self-titled EP available through iTunes and CD Baby. 

Album: “Cotton Candy: The Anthology of Lenny Capello” by Lenny Capello

Compiled by and available from La Musique de Louisianne, this anthology of rock-‘n’-roll pioneer Lenny Capello features 29 tracks from 1958 through 1970, including the original recording of “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love.” Additionally, there are more than a dozen unreleased tracks from legend Cosimo Matassa’s New Orleans studio featuring Harold Battiste, Mac Rebennack, Allen Toussaint, and Huey “Piano” Smith. 

Album: “45th Year Reunion: Live at The Pineywoods Palace” by Joe Stampley & The Uniques

This pop/rock group from the 1960s had hits with “All These Things” and “Not Too Long Ago.” The album features the group's greatest hits as well as solo tunes from Joe Stampley.