Millions Millions • The soulful, determinedly eccentric New Orleans...

The soulful, determinedly eccentric New Orleans r&b crooner Ernie K-Doe’s contributions to the American Songbook might be considered marginal by most musicologists, but the man who referred to himself as the ‘emperor of the universe’ took a more generous view of his own musical legacy. ‘There aren’t but three songs that will last for eternity,’ he often told audiences. ‘One is ‘Amazing Grace.’ Another is “The Star-Spangled Banner.” And the third is “Mother-in-Law,” because as long as there are people on this earth, there will always be mother-in-laws.’

“All Music Comes From Louisiana” by Chris Rose for The Oxford American, which is basically “The New Yorker with a side of hot sauce.”