Dr. John - 2001 - Creole Moon

2001 - Creole Moon

Rhythm reigns supreme on Creole Moon, which cuts a sinuous, syncopated groove through the various styles that have informed the good Doctor's career. The bayou funk of "Bruha Bembe" recalls the juju mysteries of Dr. John's "Night Tripper" phase and the album-opening "You Swore" adheres to the hip-shaking tradition of "Right Place, Wrong Time," while the jazzier sophistication of "Holdin' Pattern," "Queen of Cold," and the title track show how far he has extended his musical terrain. Among the highlights are four songs cowritten with the late Doc Pomus, including the soulful balladry of "Imitation of Love." Guitarist Sonny Landreth and fiddler Michael Doucet contribute Cajun seasoning to this musical gumbo, while saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman and trombonist Fred Wesley provide stellar brass support. --Don McLeese




Track Listing:

 1. You Swore
2. In The Name Of You
3. Food For Thot
4. Holdin' Pattern
5. Bruha Bembe
6. Imitation Of Love
7. Now That You Got Me
8. Creole Moon
9. Georgianna
10. Monkey And Baboon
11. Take What I Can Get
12. Queen Of Cold
13. Litenin'
14. One 2 A.M. Too Many

I'm still planning on posting all of Dr. Johns material but I had to skip a few years to post this particular album up.  I listen to this all the time, and somehow never get tired of it.  This is another record that just bleeds New Orleans.  Check it out!

Creole Moon

Dr. John - 1978 - City Lights

1978 - City Lights

Track Listing:

1. Dance The Night Away With You

2. Street Side

3. Wild Honey

4. Rain

5. Snake Eyes

6. Fire Of Love

7. Sonata/He's a Hero

8. City Lights

City Lights is arguably one of Dr. John's most overlooked recordings, which is hard to imagine as the quality of session players are the crème de la crème of the then New York City recording scene. On drums is the great Steve Gadd, co-producer Hugh McCracken on guitar, guitarist John Tropea (whose credits include superlative work with Deodato, as well as his own solo efforts), bassist Will Lee certainly needs no introduction, and the sorely missed Richard Tee on keyboards. The horn section features Ronnie Cuber and David Sanborn, who takes several solos throughout, and background vocalists George Jones, Tammy Lynn, and Alvin Robinson shine. Man, why don't they make records like this anymore? This fine album is kind of New York City meets the Big Easy; sumptuously funky, somewhat slick, but superbly tight. LiPuma's top-notch production values never interfere with the artistic intent and Dr. John fits the groove like a glove. Dr. John is totally in charge and teaches his New York City session playing pupils multiple Crescent City tricks.

Eight songs are included, each and everyone written by Dr. John, one co-written by Bobby Charles ("Wild Honey"), another co-authored by Alvin Robinson ("Fire of Love"), and three by Dr. John and his old buddy and New York City roommate, the legendary Doc Pomus. The many highlights include the opening Pomus/Rebenack "Dance the Night Away With You" with its second-line horn section firmly in place. On Dr. John's "Street Side" we get to hear Dr. John and Tee blend keyboards to perfection, as they never get in each other's way and man does Sanborn wail on this one, plus Will Lee and Gadd just punch the groove! "Wild Honey" is right in the pocket too; listen to Will Lee kick the bottom in the pants from beginning to end on this extremely funky affair, where the background vocalists ever so slightly add so much to the roux. Even Claus Ogerman's gorgeous strings lay a perfect backdrop to Dr. John's "Rain" where Sanborn once again sets sail. "Snake Eyes" is near brilliant, with it's reptile-like twists and turns, fueled by the Dr.'s excellent vocals and lyric, plus John Tropea's guitar solo is the precise vehicle that builds this outstanding track to its final intensity, as well as Dr. John's and McCraken's smart horn arrangements. "Fire of Love," co-written by Alvin Robinson, definitely could have easily been covered by the group Stuff, mainly due to the presence of keyboardist Richard Tee, as it has that classic band sound and feel. The last two tracks are co-authored by the two Doc's (Pomus and John). The first one, "Sonata" (where Dr. John's piano introduces the theme) segues into "He's a Hero." Once again check out the nifty horn charts and the tight rhythm section. Dr. John takes this one out (similarly as the "Sonata" intro) with a cool piano solo and duets with one of the horn players; it's an extremely tasty segment. The finale and title track is a ballad that is introduced by Ogerman's strings, Dr. John's fine vocals, Tropea's sweet guitar licks, and Tee's signature keyboards.
  - review by Rob Putignano



Overlooked Classic

Dr. John - 1975 - Hollywood Be Thy Name

1975 - Hollywood Be Thy Name

Hollywood Be Thy Name is a live album by New Orleans R&B artist Dr. John.

Track Listing:

   1. "New Island Soiree" – 3:13
   2. "Reggae Doctor" – 3:19
   3. "The Way You Do the Things You Do" – 3:46
   4. "Swanee River Boogie" – 2:51
   5. "Yesterday" – 5:21
   6. "Babylon" – 6:11
   7. "Back by the River" – 4:01
   8. "Medley: It's All Right With Me / Blue Skies / Will the Circle Be Unbroken" – 5:32
   9. "Hollywood Be Thy Name" – 3:16
  10. "I Wanna Rock" – 3:15

Album Credits:

* Dr. John - keyboards, vocals
* Tommy Vig - percussion
* Ronnie Barron - keyboards, vocals
* Steve Hunter - guitar
* Kenny Ascher - keyboards
* Johnny Badanjek - drums
* John Boudreaux - drums
* Leroy Cooper - saxophone
* Bob Ezrin - keyboards, vocals
* Julius Farmer - bass
* Venetta Fields - vocals
* Tammy Lann - vocals
* Warren Luening - horn
* Robbie Montgomery - vocals
* Alvin Robinson - guitar
* James Herb Smith - guitar
* Clifford Solomon - saxophone
* Bobby Torres - conductor
* Ernie Watts - saxophone
* Chauncey Welsch - trombone

Happy 69th Birthday Dr. John!!!

Yeayourite

Dr. John - 1974 - Desitively Bonnaroo

1974 - Desitively Bonnaroo

Desitively Bonnaroo is a 1974 album by New Orleans rhythm and blues legend Dr. John. The album was produced by Allen Toussaint and features sizable musical support from The Meters. The album mines the territory featured on his previous album In The Right Place.

Track Listing:

1.  Quitters Never Win - 3:17

2.  Stealin' - 3:32
3.  What Come Around (Goes Around) - 3:13
4.  Me Minus You Equals Loneliness - 3:06
5.  Mos' Scocious - 2:47
6.  (Everybody Wanna Get Rich) Rite Away - 2:43
7.  Let's Make a Better World (Earl King, Ben E. King) - 2:58
8.  R U 4 Real - 4:16
9.  Sing Along Song - 2:44
10. Can't Git Enuff - 3:00
11. Go Tell the People (Allen Toussaint) - 3:06
12. Desitively Bonnaroo - 2:31


Album Credits:

* Dr John - guitar, piano, sound effects, vocals

* Allen Toussaint - keyboards, percussion, arrangements, background vocals

* Leo Nocentelli - guitar

* Art Neville - keyboards, organ

* George Porter Jr. - bass

* Joseph "Ziggy" Modeliste - drums

* Gary Brown - alto, soprano & tenor saxophone

* Mark Colby - clarinet, tenor saxophone,

* Whit Sidener - baritone & alto saxophone

* Peter Graves - trombone

* Kenneth Faulk - trumpet, flugelhorn

* Robbie Montgomery - background vocals

* Jessica Smith - background vocals

As I said in my last post, Dr. John's birthday is tomorrow, so I'm going to keep posting all of his albums that I have.  This one picks up right where In The Right Place left off.  If you enjoyed the rest, then please, please don't be stupid.  It's for your own good.  I can't even begin to pick out any certain tracks as reccomendations because I love them all.  Enjoy!

Can't Git Enuff

Dr. John - 1973 - In the Right Place

1973 - In the Right Place

 In the Right Place is a 1973 album by New Orleans R&B artist Dr. John. The album was originally released on Atco Records and became the biggest selling album of Dr. John's career.

Track Listing:

1  -  "Right Place Wrong Time"
2  -  "Same Old Same Old"
3  -  "Just the Same"
4  -  "Qualified"
5  -  "Traveling Mood"
6  -  "Peace Brother Peace"
7  -  "Life"
8  -  "Such a Night"
9  -  "Shoo Fly Marches On"
10 -  "I Been Hoodood"
11 -  "Cold Cold Cold" 

Album Credits:

    * The Meters:

    Leo Nocentelli - lead guitar
    Art Neville - organ
    George Porter, Jr. - bass
    Joseph Modeliste - drums

    * Allen Toussaint: Piano, electric piano, acoustic guitar, conga drums and tambourine, background vocals, vocal arrangements, arrangement and conducting.
    * Mac Rebennack: Vocals, piano on "Qualified", organ on "Peace Brother Peace" and percussion on "I Been Hoodood".
    * Ralph MacDonald: Percussion on "Shoo Fly Marches On", "Such a Night" and "I Been Hoodood".
    * David Spinozza: guitar solo on "Right Place Wrong Time".
    * Gary Brown: Electric and acoustic saxophones.
    * The Bonaroo Horn Section: Horns.
    * Robbie Montgomery and Jessie Smith: Backing vocals.

James Flournoy Holmes: Album design and paintings.

With Dr. John's 69th birthday coming up this Saturday I felt the urge to keep my Dr. John post streak going. 
This is another ESSENTIAL album right here.  Total Classic.  If you enjoyed all the other Dr. John albums that I posted, or even if you didn't GET THIS ONE NOW!!  This is another one that everyone in the Crescent City knows all about.  Mardi Gras vibes galore.  Don't miss this, trust me. 

Right Place

Dr. John - 1972 - Dr. John's Gumbo

1972 - Dr. John's Gumbo  

Dr. John's Gumbo is the fifth album by New Orleans R&B artist Dr. John, a tribute to the music of his native city. The album is a collection of covers of New Orleans classics, played by a major figure in the city's music. In 2003, the album was ranked number 402 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Track Listing:

Side A

1. "Iko Iko", song about street parades in New Orleans (James "Sugar Boy" Crawford)

2. "Blow Wind Blow" (Huey "Piano" Smith, Izzy Cougarden)

3. "Big Chief", Professor Longhair song dedicated to Big Chief Jolly, notable Mardi Gras Indian leader. (Earl Gaines)

4. "Somebody Changed the Lock", romantic travails. (Mac Rebennack)

5. "Mess Around", Ray Charles' first hit, based on "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" (Ahmet Ertegün)

6. "Let the Good Times Roll", written by Earl King, also covered by Jimi Hendrix as "Come On".

Side B

1. "Junko Partner", legendary tale of wastrel and drug addict (Bob Shad)

2. "Stack-A-Lee", famous tale of "two men who gambled late" (Traditional)

3. "Tipitina", the great Professor Longhair song (Henry Roeland Byrd)

4.  "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" (Earl King, Johnny Vincent)

5.  "Huey Smith Medley", tribute to Huey Smith and the Clowns (Huey "Piano" Smith, Johnny Vincent)

   1. "High Blood Pressure"

   2. "Don't You Just Know It"

   3. "Well I'll Be John Brown"

6.  "Little Liza Jane", New Orleans R&B standard based on a children's rhyme (Huey "Piano" Smith, Johnny Vincent)

Album Credits: 

 Dr. John - guitar, piano, cornet, vocals

 Lee Allen - tenor saxophone

 Ronnie Barron - organ, piano, vocals

 Harold Battiste - clarinet, saxophone, horn arrangements

 Morris Bechamin - saxophone

 Jimmy Calhoun - bass

 Sidney George - harmonica, saxophone

 Shirley Goodman - vocals

 Ken Klimak - guitar

 Tammy Lann - vocals

 Dave Lastie - saxophone

 Melvin Lastie - trumpet, cornet

 Robbie Montgomery - vocals

 Keith Olsen - engineer

 Alvin Robinson - guitar

 Jessica Smith - vocals

 Fred Staehle - drums, percussion

 Richard Washington - percussion

 John Ewing - trombone

 Tom Wilkes - design, photography

 Barry Feinstein - design, photography

There is nothing that I can say that has not already been said about this album.  This is ESSENTIAL.  I'm sure there is not one single person in New Orleans that has not heard this album.  It's definitely one of my all time favorites.  There is never a Mardi Gras season that goes by without this album being played everywhere...
If you didn't know who Dr. John was before, do yourself a favor and get this right now!

Iko Iko

Dr. John - 1971 - The Sun, Moon and Herbs

 1971 - The Sun, Moon & Herbs



Track Listing:

Side One

1. "Black John the Conqueror" (6:20)
2. "Where Ya at Mule" (4:56)
3. "Craney Crow" (6:40)
   

 Side Two

1. "Familiar Reality-Opening" (Rebennack/Jesse Hill) (5:25)
2. "Pots on Fiyo (Filé Gumbo)/Who I Got to Fall on (If the Pot Get Heavy)" (5:48)
3. "Zu Zu Mamou" (7:57)
4. "Familiar Reality-Reprise" (1:53)

Musicians:

• Dr. John - vocals, piano, organ, guitar, vibes & percussion
• Eric Clapton - guitar
• Ronnie Barron - keyboards
• Graham Bond - alto saxophone
• Tommy Ferrone - rhythm guitar
• Steve York - bass
• Jesse Boyce - bass
• Carl Radle - bass
• Walter Davis Jr. - piano
• Jim Gordon - percussion, conga
• John Boudreaux - drums
• Vic Brox - pocket trumpet & organ
• Ray Draper - tuba, percussion & background vocals
• Wayne Jackson - trumpet, horn
• Chris Mercer - saxophone
• Jerry Jumonville - saxophone
• James Mitchell - baritone saxophone
• Ed Logan - tenor saxophone
• Andrew Love - tenor saxophone
• Bobby Keys - tenor saxophone
• Jim Price - trumpet
• Jack Hale - trombone
• Kenneth Terroade - flute
• Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels - percussion
• Freeman Brown - percussion
• Fred Staehle - trap drums
• Mick Jagger, Shirley Goodman, Tammi Lynn, P. P. Arnold, Bobby Whitlock - background vocals

Here is another dirty, swampy, New Orleans classic.   Besides, Clapton and Dr. John..... you can't go wrong here. 


Get some swamp funk in yo system cuzzzz

Dr. John - 1970 - Remedies

1970 - Remedies

Track Listing

1. "Loop Garoo" (4:42)
2. "What Goes Around Comes Around" (2:57)
3. "Wash, Mama, Wash" (3:42)
4. "Chippy, Chippy" (3:32)
5. "Mardi Gras Day" (8:11)
6. "Angola Anthem" (17:35)

Remedies is not rock and roll, it is something nearly otherworldly, and almost beyond comprehension. While it includes such standout Dr. John tracks as "Wash Mama Wash" and "Loop Garoo," it also includes "Angola Anthem," which is murky, mysterious and downright evil-sounding. Much of this very long cut is lost without headphones, for the music floats about in a smoky fog while Dr. John and his backup singers chant, moan, and cry out. Progressive radio loved this stuff, and it still sounds great during those late-night flirtations with the dark side of the psyche. Remedies must be heard to be believed.



 

Don't be stupid.

Dr. John - 1969 - Babylon

1969 - Babylon

Track Listing:

1. "Babylon" – 5:25

2. "Glowin'" – 5:39

3. "Black Widow Spider" – 5:01

4. "Barefoot Lady" – 3:10

5. "Twilight Zone" – 8:15

6. "The Patriotic Flag / Waiver" – 4:52

7. "The Lonesome Guitar Strangler" – 5:34

 This album is a little more upbeat than the previous "Gris Gris" , it's not as chilled or laid back but, Dr. John, in my mind, really started to show his true self and took things another mind-blowing step further here.  He's a little more comfortable here I would think, but at the same time, probably energetic and eager to record something new. Dr. John's beginnings are definitely raw, he must be taken like a drug.  Sit back with a clear head and let the good doctor take you on a crazy ride. You shouldn't be disappointed.  I also recommend listening to his albums in chronological order to see how much ground Dr. John covered/is covering throughout his career.  He's everywhere! R&B, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Zydeco, Creole, seriously, Dr. John kicks ass!    



Don't fear the Voodoo Curse!