Phoenix's very own 15-song Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday) musical crash course

Don't let the 1,523-mile distance from New Orleans fool ya — Phoenix loves Mardi Gras. And rightfully so, as this final indulgence before Lent sweeps us into deep introspection is basically how we already live in the Valley. It's like going to all those great spring music fests before summer inevitably sweeps in as a nuclear-powered buzzkiller.

So whatever plans you have in mind, or you're saving up for that long-awaited trip to The Big Easy, you're in luck. We have assembled something of an introductory course into great Mardi Gras music. Be it Dr. John or Boozoo Chavis, Katey Red or The Wild Magnolias, this is the music that has defined Mardi Gras festivities for decades. It's through these funky, downhome jams that you can understand Mardi Gras' primary function: It's not just one final hedonistic rush before a month of profound guilt, but a communal celebration of living life to its fullest.

Now, throw these songs on the speaker, grab your beads and a couple beverages and let yourself get unabashedly lost in the joy of the holiday.

Fats Domino, ‘Walking to New Orleans’

Don't expect some swinging ditty from he iconic Fats Domino this time around. No, instead, the song's clip-clop speed and pacing as well especially romantic strings readily set the tone for an energy that defines New Orleans. And if you understand enough of the city, then you'll rightly understand Mardi Gras' true magic.

The Wild Magnolias, ‘Fire Water’

If there were such a thing as a "Funk-o-Meter," it'd explode with this song's very first note. No one should resist its slightly filthy charm, and that's seemingly the point. Mardi Gras isn't just about excess, but letting go and communing with something bigger than yourself. In this instance, it's the funkiest jam this side of the Mississippi River.

Boozoo Chavis, ‘Zydeco Mardi Gras’

Of all the Mardi Gras tunes I've listened to for this list, this one really stands out. It made me think a lot about the Norteño music that permeates random neighborhoods across Phoenix, and how certain rhythms and energies are shared between cultures/places. In that way, this song speaks to something deep and familiar: A love of a really good party as a way to build bridges, explore people's histories and cut through the noise of daily life.

Rebirth Brass Band, ‘Casanova’

Great brass music is both instantly infectious and also something that takes time to properly digest. In the case of the rather iconic Rebirth Brass Band, they're able to hook you from note one and still give you something to chew on. What you find may differ from my own observations, but this tradition is all about speaking to thoughts and feelings that don't always have their own language. It's those very parts, I'd reckon, that need Mardi Gras to fully come to life.

Earl King, ‘Big Chief’

On some levels, this song feels direct enough — a lively jam that's made for dancing on some random street corner. Listen deeper, though, and you can hear the intricacy and technical prowess throughout its runtime. It's those very "technical" elements that prove that Mardi Gras music has a depth and complexity that is suited for continued dissection and fostering sentiments beyond, "Hey, let's all get drunk and dance everywhere."

Jessie Hill, ‘Ooh Poo Pah Doo’

Oh man, the 30 seconds this song takes to build up may be the most thrilling I've heard in quite some time. And when it does finally get going, those seductive rhythms could draw a turtle out of their shell. So, then, what's the lesson here? Maybe good things are worth the wait (like Mardi Gras)? Or, that life is all about a balance between the build and the juicy payoff? Either way, I'm spinning this song 112 more times.

Professor Longhair, ‘Tipitina’

It's no coincidence this song shares a title with Tipitina's, a famed New Orleans venue. But the way Professor Longhair sings about it, it seems as if this is a once beloved woman who smashed his heart into 1 billion pieces. Be this about a woman or a venue, this song is still a solid reminder that Mardi Gras is about letting it all hang out, and what matters is that everything is a real and true expression of life. But, seriously, damn you, Tipitina.

The Meters, ‘Hey Pocky A-Way’

If you hear "Mardi Gras" music and think it's just about a single holiday, that's a fine enough reaction. But this jam from The Meters demonstrates that the best music for the holiday transcends its confines, and that there's some of this funky magic to be found in the rest of the doldrum calendar year. So, no, you can't party hard every single day, but you can listen to music that makes you feel alive. So do it, pronto, before ya can't anymore.

Dr. John, ‘My Indian Red’

This is a song I heard way back as a youngster, and those slick horns have always made me feel so free and easy. Dr. John is massively famous beyond any connections with Mardi Gras, but he provides a clarity and prowess that really helps you understand the intricacies and force of this larger musical tradition. Heaps of folks do it just as well as the good doctor, but few have made the city feel as fresh and vital to folks the world over.

Big Sam's Funky Nation, ‘Ain’t Nothin’ But a Party’

New Orleans just might have the best-named bands in the whole dang country. And something like Big Sam's Funky Nation tells you everything you need to know going into the song (i.e., it's wonderfully layered and involved and oh-so funky). The music quickly goes beyond such labels, but sometimes it's just nice to know what to expect, to what level or degree and how that clarity often heightens our experiences. I'd pledge allegiance to this nation, for sure.

Buckwheat Zydeco, ‘My Feet Can’t Fail Me Now’

I don't know if there's a hierarchy to Mardi Gras music, but this one's likely not just an ordinary jam. No, this kinetic blast of Zydeco music has to be saved for extra special celebrations, those parties where people are letting loose in a way that peels wallpaper or increases the ambient air temperature. Maybe it's too much for your own festivities, but there's a spectrum to these events that you must know as you immerse yourself deeper into the canon of Mardi Gras.

Allen Toussaint, ‘Goin’ Down’

I could easily hear this song as 1) the soundtrack to some New Orleans tourism advert or 2) in some extra cheesy movie about a wild undergrad trip to New Orleans. Not that this reflects the quality of the song; rather, Toussaint's selection is indicative of how this "style" of music can be approachable for the masses and still feel quite insular to the region. That's a rarity these days, and this music is a "relic" of how cities once communicated with the world. There's great songs on this list, and then there's this proper slice of magic.

‘Big Chief’ Monk Boudreaux, ‘Golden Crown’

Speaking of great band/artist names, "Big Chief" Monk Boudreaux has to be up there for sheer awesomeness. This song does feel distinctly more bluesy than some other tracks on this list, and that's generally a good thing. Mostly because blues is obviously a New Orleans staple, and seeing how music in the city grows and coalesces is really interesting when you're exploring it from afar. Plus, saying "Monk Boudreaux" over and over again is pure, simple fun.

Earl King, ‘Street Parade’

Earl King is a legend in the city for infusing various threads of R&B into the city's already yummy musical stew. "Street Parade," then, basically occupies the cross-section between James Brown and Boozoo Chavis, and that more overt, sensual tone is a nice addition to the "standard" Mardi Gras musical medley. More spice is always nice, and King still manages to honor traditions even as he blazes his own path. Also sounds like a solid bit of life advice, right?

Katey Red, ‘Where da Melph at?’

New Orleans isn't just home to blues and Zydeco music. Bounce is, in a slightly reductive way, the city's take on hip-hop, with a heavy emphasis on big bass and even bigger rhythms. Is it going to be the best choice for every Mardi Gras party? Maybe not. However, bounce brings a particular intensity and overt joy, augmenting our understanding and showing how this celebration welcomes all comers to the party. Now shake it till you break something or whatever.