Dr John

[Rob Hall]

The blink and you miss it live in London album "Such A Night" on Spindrift Records, a semi-legit record than I am not sure has ever been re-issued on CD. Featuring a wonderful band, Mac sails through his classic set list to howls of British appreciation (I saw him on that tour and can testify).

I was at the gig when they recorded that album, and I still have it. It was at the (new) Albany* in Deptford. Mac played quite a bit of guitar that night, but I was disappointed that someone saw fit to overdub horns onto the album.

(* I saw Curtis Mayfield at the same venue round about the same time. Happy days!)

[NormanD]

I saw him there too! Maybe the same gig? Don't remember seeing you there, Rob :)

[allears]

Allears - your African band Exuma sound fascinating. Gris Gris remains to my ears the most West African sounding album ever cut in the US (beyond James Brown's hardest funk, I guess).

Thanks for showing some interest, garth. If it`s not a breach of etiquette to put someone else`s clip in a Dr. John thread, here`s the opening track from the Exuma album:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-4gnxxtPtI

What I`m picking up from this thread is how much admiration there is for the "Plays Mac Rebennack" albums, which I`ve never heard, so I`m going to give them a go. Thanks !

[Chris P]

here`s the opening track from the Exuma album:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-4gnxxtPtI

Here's a yt version that'll play in the uk (UMG copyright clamp on above clip):

http://youtu.be/MuJn83LYWaU

Exuma was from the Bahamas (1000 miles from New Orleans as allears says)

[garth cartwright]

Listening to him on Spotify - they have the first 2 albums. Fascinating. Here's his wiki bio

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exuma_(musician)

Turns out he lived in New Orleans for many years and I can imagine him fitting well there.

He reminds me a bit of the soul singer who did that crazy psychedelic soul stuff in the early 70s - was it Oscar Brown? Apocalyptic Afro visions and such. I'm thinking Exuma had definitely lent an ear to Gris Gris - good call, allears, this is a find!

[will vine]

AMAZING VALUE Dr. John Original Album Collection........5 original albums in one pack inc. Gris Gris, Babylon, and Right Place for £8.99 ! see Amazon

Prompted by this thread I'm currently listening to The Brightest Smile in Town lp. Hasn't bothered my turntable for years but it should've done - Great! Next up will be Cut Me While I'm Hot, an lp Charlie did enthuse about though the tracks weren't well documented and there was talk that one or more were finished off using a session vocalist apeing Mac's voice.......impersonating a doctor - well really!

[NormanD]

Cut Me While I'm Hot, an lp Charlie did enthuse about though the tracks weren't well documented and there was talk that one or more were finished off using a session vocalist apeing Mac's voice.......impersonating a doctor - well really!

This one's around for a fiver, with postage. There's a more legitimate Ace (UK) compilation "Return of the Mac - In the Studio With Mac Rebennack AKA Dr.John 1959 - 61" that shows off his extensive session work, and various pseudonymous 45 releases. "Storm Warning" is a highlight track. The man was busy.

Any other takers for his "Duke Elegant" - interpretations of Ellington standards? I like it, play it quite often.

[Rob Hall]

Any other takers for his "Duke Elegant" - interpretations of Ellington standards? I like it, play it quite often.

I have it, I like it, I don't play it often enough. Fortunately I am, from where I sit, in a position to rectify that.

[garth cartwright]

I also own and like Duke E but to find it.... OK, you have prompted me to get seeking.

Television, a 90s rock-funk Mac album that featured a cameo from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers singer and, if memory serves me, a take on Sly's Thank You For Lettin' Me Be Myself, was quite enjoyable. I have it on cassette somewhere. Hollywood Be Thy Name? I think I have a copy of that. Boonaroo? I'm sure I once owned it. The wetlands album that Bobby Charles contributed to - I wasn't keen on that one, it felt hurried even tho the anger was righteous. Adam has raved about Goin Back To New Orleans and I will second that. The album from a year or so ago - Hoodoo? - was treading bayou water but worth an occasional listen. I've bought a lot of Dr John albums.

[Chris P]

AMAZING VALUE Dr. John Original Album Collection........5 original albums in one pack inc. Gris Gris, Babylon, and Right Place for £8.99 ! see Amazon

The other 2 being Sun Moon & Herbs, and Gumbo. I wonder what strange ownership rights issue has relegated 'Remedies' the 3rd Nighttripper album to an oop limbo, when it should rightly sit within this box sequence.
Anyway many thanks Will, picked this pack up for the 3 I didn't have, and have been enjoying Right Place & Sun Moon this evening

[Chris P]

Prompted by this thread I'm currently listening to The Brightest Smile in Town lp. Hasn't bothered my turntable for years but it should've done - Great!

also previously praised in this thread under it's reissued change of name: now known as 'Plays Mac Rebennack Vol 2". A brilliant one!

[Chris P]

His new one Locked Down is getting him more attention than any release since, oh, I don't know what. Mainly cos it is produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.

Christgau's description makes it sound deadly (in a negative sense!):

its stolid beats, big guitars and sententious sentiments make it the most rockist album of Dr. John's career.

Can't comment as haven't heard it, but that has put me off trying too hard to seek it out

[David Flower]

Locked Down is one of the best sounding records of any description i've heard in ages.

[Chris P]

Is there, as some have said, a question over the memorability/quality of the songwriting to match this great sound David? If not it sounds like a must hear...

[David Flower]

Yes and yes. One of the most exciting releases in ages. And i'm only a part-time rabbernecker. Wait till everyone leaves and turn up to 11