Under A Hoodoo Moon By Dr John

[nikki akinjinmi]

Hello,

I don't know if this book has ever been mentioned on this forum, but I have started reading Dr John autobiography (written with Jack Rummel). It's an interesting book. It really is. Prompted by hearing him in session on Mark Lamarr's God's Jukebox a few weeks ago on Radio 2, and my recollections of meeting him several years ago when working with Charlie, and the fact that I have again tentatively started to listen to music again, admittedly mostly from New Orleans - I thought I would give the book a try. It's a fascinating read - a glimpse into a bygone era.

[john poole]

I read the book shortly after it was published and remember enjoying it, although I seem to recall that in places either Dr. John's memory, or his co-writer's research, were not entirely reliable.

[will vine]

For someone who doesn't read too much I remember going through an unusually active few weeks when I read Under a Hoodoo Moon followed by biographies on Jerry Garcia and Miles Davis. I felt the need for detox by the end of those three. The pimping, and particularly the abortion racket Dr. John had going on in the eary years left me reeling.

[Ted]

Didn't you have a bit of a narrow escape (although some might call it a missed opportunity) with Dr. John, Nikki?

[nikki akinjinmi]

Didn't you have a bit of a narrow escape (although some might call it a missed opportunity) with Dr. John, Nikki?

Yes, I suppose I did. You have too good a memory, Ted. Having read the little of what I have in his autobiography so far.....let's just say he's led an interesting life.

[quote=john poole"]I read the book shortly after it was published and remember enjoying it, although I seem to recall that in places either Dr. John's memory, or his co-writer's research, were not entirely reliable.[/quote]

Granted, John. He packed a lot of things in....his life...and the book. I was curious about Professor Longhair, Bobby Marchan, the Dew Drop Inn, James Booker. I would have liked to experienced these first time around. I know it was quite seedy at times, and apparently a documentary was made about 6 years about the history of nightlife in New Orleans which does touch on this period - the post second world war II years.

Edit: Will, I know what you mean about a detox.

[Rob Hall]

NIce to see you posting again Nikki. I read this book a while ago and remember enjoying it quite a bit. As far as the 'shady' parts go - different times, different place, etc. He remains a hero of mine despite his frequent quality control failings / his reliance on the cruise option.

[nikki akinjinmi]

Thanks, Rob. I quite like the writing style so far. I think it's witty. There's a lot of information - stuff about other musicians, and I am trying to take it all in and not rush through it. I am amazed that he was able to function, and that he didn't end up in Angola prison for a long period of time.

[Adam Blake]

Hey Nikki! What up? I loved the chapter on Professor Longhair in that book, and Mac's account of the gentlemanliness of Art Blakey (maybe you haven't got to that yet). I think Fess was a bit of a genius - and that section describing his compositional methods confirms it!

[nikki akinjinmi]

Adam, what made me laugh were his lessons with Roy Montrell when learning to play the guitar. Do you use similar techniques, Adam?

Don't think I've got to Art Blakely, but 'Fess has been mentioned many times.

[NormanD]

I can't for the life of me remember where I read it, but I am sure his sister once said, about his NAwleans' drawl, something like: "No one else in our family talks like that, I don't know why he has to".

Not the first rock & roller, I'm sure, to adopt a hipper speaking voice, but Louisiana sounds a lot better than Mockney.

It certainly is a good book. In it, he lays a lot of the blame for the decline in the city's music on the NO District Attorney Jim Garrison (later of JFK-investigation fame) for 'cleaning up' the French quarter and its music venues in the early 1960s.

[Jamie Renton]

Damn, never heard of this book. How could I not know about it? Thanks for alerting me to it Nikki. Located on Amazon, roll on payday!

[Adam Blake]

Adam, what made me laugh were his lessons with Roy Montrell when learning to play the guitar. Do you use similar techniques, Adam?

Always...

[nikki akinjinmi]

Adam, what made me laugh were his lessons with Roy Montrell when learning to play the guitar. Do you use similar techniques, Adam?

Always...

Where do I sign up?

And Jamie, no problem - it has been on my list along with Lester Bangs, Cavafy, and now Richard Williams (The Blue Moment).

[nikki akinjinmi]

I have finished reading it. Wow. I think I need a lie down now.....