Book excerpt: A history of New Orleans music in the four decades since World War II. In particular, it tells of the rise of rhythm and blues, a musical form rooted in the very identity of the Crescent City, its history and geography, the Mardi Gras rites and the intermixture of its many races and cultures. In providing a tribute to the musical heritage of New Orleans, the book is also a testament to the rich sounds still produced there by such musicians as Dr John, the Neville Brothers, Allen Toussaint, and The Wild Tchoupitoulas.