IKO IKO

The band debuted nationally as IKO IKO and released "Snowstorm in the Jungle" on Kingsnake Records in 1987 with a U.S. tour, radio support and lots of friends along the way. Today, the spirit, the excitement and the great friends all continue.
In 1991 IKO IKO released "Riding on the Rims" on Little Silver Records. In 1996 IKO IKO released "Protected By Voodoo" On Little Silver Records. In 2000 IKO IKO released "Shine" once again on Little Silver. In 2002 Graham Wood Drout worked with Albert Castiglia on his record "Burn" In 2004 Graham Wood Drout worked with 2006 IBC winner Joey Gilmore on his album "The Ghosts of Mississippi..." on BluePik Records 2005 Graham and Albert Castiglia released a live acoustic performance album "The Bittersweet Sessions" on Little Silver Records. Castiglia also features other songs by GWD on his records and in live performances.

Over the years IKO IKO has recieved numerous awards and critical notice from the press and radio. Voted Jam magazines Best Blues Band in Florida. Graham was awarded Miami New Times "Best Songwriter"

Selected performances:

Iko Iko "Protected By Voodoo" Little Silver Records LSCD 002 The Delta is a strange, wonderful, and mysterious place. The opening of the fine CD, "Protected By Voodoo" by Iko Iko is just as strange, wonderful, and mysterious. 'Millers Woods' has the spirit of the Delta's rich musical legacy wrapping itself around the rhythm and floating through the verses as Graham Wood Drout sings of ghosts, spirits, salvation, and Bible black air. The acoustic twelve string work of guest Patrick DeLeon adds lots of depth to this, one of the finest opening cuts I've heard on a modern CD in a long time! Don't think it's all Blues here, it's not. The diversity of this band keeps you glued to the player trying to figure where they'll take you next. The routes this band travels from the beginning to the end of this disc are amazing. They take you from the Delta right into the Chuck Berry fun of 'The Flood,' and after the flood waters roll back, they drop you square in the center of the French Quarter in New Orleans with the nasty sax work of Ronald James Dziubla and a driving second-line groove of 'Party Car'. Stewart Jean knows his way around behind a drum kit, and his insistent and steady beats move things along on this downright funky, stinky, goodtime CD. It's enlightening to listen to a band with the diverse background Iko Iko has, and they never falter, regardless of what they put on the plate. The surf feel of 'Bag Me, Tag Me, Take Me Away' reminds you of Dick Dale guitar tunes, sand in your drawers, and Frankie and Annette movies! One of the true successes of this disc is the imagery that comes through each and every song, and it's not anymore evident than on 'I Got Gris Gris.' The talk of Van Van oil, and graveyard soil, hidden charms and false alarms, and everything in between comes to life. As a songwriter and his team behind him, Drout is a powerful master. The greasy feel of 'Gris Gris' floats like a crane over Lake Ponchartrain, and sinks you in the muck and mire on its shores. Larry Williams plays some damn fine guitar here and his myriad licks stand well enough on their own. Each track carries you to where the band is coming from. 'Walk With The Zombie' smells of late night New Orleans, and brought back personal memories of sitting alone as the moon gave way to a sunrise. Drout's vocals are deep and packed with emotion at every turn. Michael Mennell's rumbling bass tones run as deep as the Mississippi as the band funks it up for 'When The Devil Calls Collect.' Another highpoint is the incredible background vocal work here, the blending is spot-on. Like some jump Blues with your crawfish and Dixie beer? This is no "jump on the bandwagon and swing," it's nasty and rude on 'Living Outside The Law.' 'Jalapeno Be Thy Name' has the across the border feel of Mexico with Tony Luschen's trumpet rings as he sits in for some fun. '3 Fingered Fellers Named Shorty' is another work of deep and powerful image. Larry Williams guitar glides and slides through the track adding a feel of desperation as Drout sings a salute to the men who grease carny rides, shine shoes, and carry steel plates on the tops of their heads. It's unfortunate that it ends as quick as it started when they jump headfirst into 'Don't Drink The Strychnine.' A simple track with only percussion and the strong harmonies at work, it pulls you in, as they sing of the pitfalls and problems we all face. It's a great closer, and leaves you wanting more, and isn't that what every band wishes they could do? An outright success of musicianship, writing talents, strong voices and images as dark as a New Orleans graveyard at midnight. Like I said before, it ain't all Blues, but this is music, simply stated. They draw on their influences, but in the end, everything is indelibly stamped 'Iko Iko - Protected By Voodoo.' href="http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y112/Bronwyn20/Dad/?a ction=view&current=Greenparrot019.jpg" target="_blank"Sound Advice Blues Festival / Ft. Lauderdale Florida River Walk Blues Festival /Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival / Montigo Bay, Jamiaca Beale Street Zydeco Festival / Memphis. tn. Chenengo Blues Festival / Norwich, NY Musconetong Blues Festival / Hampton, NJ Bluesstock / Memphis, Tn. Molson Canadian Jazz and Blues Festival/ Toronto, Canada Sunfest / West Palm Beach, Fl. Havana Music Festival/ Havana, Florida Opening of the Beaches 2002 / Jacksonville, Fl. Royal Oasis Casino/ Grand Bahamas Music In The Schools Stardust and Ashes/ Provincialas Turks and Caicos Islands*
Extra Credit: Florida Music Awards 2002 Best Blues Band Blues Revue Magazine Hidden Treasures of the Blues 2001 Jam Entertainment Magazine Florida Music Awards Best Blues Band 1999 Voted Best Blues Band New Times Magazine Broward/ West Palm Beach 1999 Voted Best Blues Band New Times Magazine Miami-Dade 1989-1999 Featured on NPR's Crossroads and Music of the Sub- tropics Performed Sheb Wooley's Purple People Eater with Jimmy Buffett for the film "Contact" Appearance and inclusion of our song, "Don't Mess with the Voodoo" in the film, "Cape Fear"

Please visit our websites for more information:
Iko-Iko Online (The official Little Silver Records site)
MySpace's VoodooCrew site
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