Thursday, September 25, 2025

Album Review: Evan Oberla - Canal Street Revolution

Evan Oberla
Canal Street Revolution
***and1/2 out of *****

The newest solo release from trombonist, singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, and Flow Tribe member Evan Oberla is titled Canal Street Revolution. The ambitious double album is "based on historical recountings of the 1960s Civil Rights protests in New Orleans on Canal Street". Oberla uses these sounds and feelings, as well as a host of New Orleans musicians, to launch his wide ranging, modern jazz leaning, project. 

The quote that "Canal Street taught me that no struggle was straight" kicks off the classic R&B rollicking of the title track, as Oberla channels the cities rock and roll history. The hip shaking plea for solidarity plays like an Allen Toussaint outtake and is the only rock and roll number, before the album focuses on Oberla's jazz tunes.     

A quote about revolution/reform kicks off "Electrophysiology" which motors along on a "Peter Gunn Theme" inspired groove and includes a great tenor sax solo from Bryce Eastwood. The piano/Rhodes work from Oberla is the focus of the Latin infused "Black Diamond" which uses pristine horn hits. 

A three part piece is broken up over the record with the smooth brass work of "While We Were Sleeping..." starting before the short grooving "While We Were Sleeping and Dreaming..." both are brief preludes to the trombone showcase "While We Were Sleeping and Dreaming of Now". Talk of voters rights kicks off "(Required) Listening Required" which is an extended modern jazz effort that finds the drumming of Peter Varnado standing out, linking it all together. 

The best effort here is "Heart Bursts & Soul Grins" which starts with discussing the cities flooding woes before piano and mournful swaying horns, build with grace and soul. The music then explodes with a joyous release to wrap up while closer "Bayou Diversity" ends the album on the positive note as the 2nd Line big brass band sends the listener away smiling in classic Crescent City style. 

Some editing and reference points would help solidify Canal Street Revolution as not everything is as successful. "747 Days" tries to take on too much and feels jumbled and while the original is great, "Heart Bursts & Soul Grins (Reprise)" is not needed for a five minute return. 

Overall, the project feels a bit unwieldly, it runs long and while the music is top notch, the statements made regarding the 60's civil rights struggle could use more context to connect to the theme, be more effective and add depth and scope. The spoken word quotes feels separate from the playing yet the main message is Oberla's instrumental music and on that front he succeeds with Canal Street Revolution.   
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