A conversation with Dr John (Mac Rebennack) sets the scene for surveying a cross-section of New Orleans music in the years just prior to Hurrcane Katrina and the irrevocable changes it wrought on the city and its music. On his album Nawlins, Dr John inolved many of the musicians who crossed boundaries between jazz, blues and funk. As well as drummers Smokey Johnson and Herman Ernest III, the discussion covers such pianists as Dave Williams, Cousin Joe and Eddie Bo. It then moves on to consider the Mardi Gras Indians, their marching traditions, and their songs. Shipton describes meeting and working with Danny Barker who did much to preserve this music, and then presents a brief survey of its development.