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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Few protest albums have the percolating groove appeal of Dr. John’s City That Care Forgot. If not for lyrics like "the road to the White House, paved with lies" the song "Promises, Promises" would be a typically chipper New Orleans second-line strut. And "You Might Be Surprised" sounds like the kind of horn-and-strings-colored blues that has always been part of the piano giant’s repertoire -- until its darker hues come through in the lines "life is a near death experience/Hell is right here on this great big Earth." Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of Dr. John’s beloved hometown and the following years of neglect sparked these 13 angry songs. The government, insurance companies and developers, and still-lingering institutional racism take a whooping with help from Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Terence Blanchard, Ani DiFranco, and Terrance Simien in cameo appearances. The zenith is a suite -- "Dream Warrior," "Black Gold," "We Getting There" -- whose brooding imagery, funky keyboards, Latin percussion, and dramatic horns recall the great Blaxploitation movie music of the ’70s. On the flip side "My People Need a Second Line" speaks to the resilience of New Orleans culture, holding threads of hope bright as the trilling of Dr. John’s piano. -- Ted Drozdowski
Product Description
Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Ani Difranco and Terence Blanchard join Dr. John and the Lower 911 in this musical paean to Dr. John's beloved New Orleans. This powerful new recording features stirring and thought-provoking songs about the post-Katrina crises in the ravaged jewel of the American South, including "City That Care Forgot," "Time for a Change," "Promises, Promises," "We Gettin' There" and many more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Dr. John is to New Orleans is what Willie Nelson is to Austin, TX and heartland causes. Anytime someone's in need these two guys are putting themselves out there singing their hearts out for the causes they believe in. Of course, Willie's on this CD, so's Slowhand, Ani DiFranco, and Terence Simien.
"City that Care Forgot" isn't just a statement, though. You can tell when you're listening to this that the folks performing had a good time putting heart and soul into these songs.
I usually have a favorite song or two. Hands down, for me, it's "You Might Be Surprised." The lyrics really spoke to me:
"Life is a near death experience
Hell is right here on this great big Earth
It could be a little taste of heaven
If we only knew our worth
All we got to do is want it bad enough
To push ourself through
We always underestimate ourselves
We do every day we can always do better
In each and every way
If we don't believe in ourselves
Nobody's gonna do it
If we don't push ourselves
We'll never make it through it..."
If you can listen to "Dream Warrior" without tears in your eyes, you've got a 'heart of iron' as Homer says. Dr. John tells it like it is regarding the 'second battle for New Orleans.' It's the harshest hurricane protest song I've heard, be prepared.
"Black Gold" is a double entendre about oil and military recruitment and it's another political statement that people of conscience should be listening to.
"Promises, Promises" features Willie Nelson singing with the good Doctor. I am surprised at how good these two very distinctive voices sound together.
"Stripped Away" features Clapton backing. This song's more rocked out than most, gorgeous sound for a painful message.
"The City That Care Forgot" is one of the best collaborative efforts I have heard in a long time. The message is strong, the playing is gorgeous. It also supports a worthy cause.
Rebecca Kyle, July 2008
"City that Care Forgot" isn't just a statement, though. You can tell when you're listening to this that the folks performing had a good time putting heart and soul into these songs.
I usually have a favorite song or two. Hands down, for me, it's "You Might Be Surprised." The lyrics really spoke to me:
"Life is a near death experience
Hell is right here on this great big Earth
It could be a little taste of heaven
If we only knew our worth
All we got to do is want it bad enough
To push ourself through
We always underestimate ourselves
We do every day we can always do better
In each and every way
If we don't believe in ourselves
Nobody's gonna do it
If we don't push ourselves
We'll never make it through it..."
If you can listen to "Dream Warrior" without tears in your eyes, you've got a 'heart of iron' as Homer says. Dr. John tells it like it is regarding the 'second battle for New Orleans.' It's the harshest hurricane protest song I've heard, be prepared.
"Black Gold" is a double entendre about oil and military recruitment and it's another political statement that people of conscience should be listening to.
"Promises, Promises" features Willie Nelson singing with the good Doctor. I am surprised at how good these two very distinctive voices sound together.
"Stripped Away" features Clapton backing. This song's more rocked out than most, gorgeous sound for a painful message.
"The City That Care Forgot" is one of the best collaborative efforts I have heard in a long time. The message is strong, the playing is gorgeous. It also supports a worthy cause.
Rebecca Kyle, July 2008
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Gosh, what a tour de force! From the opening "bop" of "Keep on Going" right through all 13 tracks the good Doctor is on form, on song, on rhythm & on message here. There's cool jazz, funk, swamp blues & great contributions from the guest artists, in particular Eric Clapton & Terence Blanchard.
You know, a lot of "protest" albums suffer from the angst getting in the way of the artistry but not here. For example I was REALLY worried about the combo with Willie Nelson on "Promises, Promises" but by gum it works & makes the words truly resonate - "Promises, promises, empty words, empty words; the road to the White House, paved with lies.....fought in your wars, paid with our lives.....the truth will set you free". Yet the really great thing is how the tracks without the guests see the Doctor really getting down & nasty with great, driving, funky beats - just listen to "Dream Warrior" for proof positive.
Other highlights of an album of consistently high quality are "Land Grab" (great trumpet from Blanchard) & the title track (some of Clapton's "bluesiest" guitar in ages). Very rarely do I download every single track from an album into my iPod/iTunes but I did with this album. HIGHLY recommended
You know, a lot of "protest" albums suffer from the angst getting in the way of the artistry but not here. For example I was REALLY worried about the combo with Willie Nelson on "Promises, Promises" but by gum it works & makes the words truly resonate - "Promises, promises, empty words, empty words; the road to the White House, paved with lies.....fought in your wars, paid with our lives.....the truth will set you free". Yet the really great thing is how the tracks without the guests see the Doctor really getting down & nasty with great, driving, funky beats - just listen to "Dream Warrior" for proof positive.
Other highlights of an album of consistently high quality are "Land Grab" (great trumpet from Blanchard) & the title track (some of Clapton's "bluesiest" guitar in ages). Very rarely do I download every single track from an album into my iPod/iTunes but I did with this album. HIGHLY recommended
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Not only will this please long-time fans of the Doctor, it's also a good place to start for those who don't know his work. This is an album of integrity, drive, commitment and purpose. It sounds great on the first listen and only gets better.
The band is hot and tight-- you get a sense that a lot of the performances emerged from jams. Some may feel Dr. John's recent albums have steered too close to MOR territory. But the swamp funk of 'Gumbo' has finally returned, in a deeper and darker form. And the Doctor even revives some of the ol' voodoo magic on a couple of tracks.
Don't be scared off by the fear that the guest stars will dominate the album (always a danger). In truth, the guests emblazoned across the cover play s co-operative, understated role. Clapton guitar speaks with austere reverence, and Willie Nelson's contribution is barely audible.
Like a lot of peers who first achieved international fame forty years ago, the good Doctor has hit a purple patch. Not only is this his greatest album, it's also one of the best albums of the decade. The Doctor is IN!
The band is hot and tight-- you get a sense that a lot of the performances emerged from jams. Some may feel Dr. John's recent albums have steered too close to MOR territory. But the swamp funk of 'Gumbo' has finally returned, in a deeper and darker form. And the Doctor even revives some of the ol' voodoo magic on a couple of tracks.
Don't be scared off by the fear that the guest stars will dominate the album (always a danger). In truth, the guests emblazoned across the cover play s co-operative, understated role. Clapton guitar speaks with austere reverence, and Willie Nelson's contribution is barely audible.
Like a lot of peers who first achieved international fame forty years ago, the good Doctor has hit a purple patch. Not only is this his greatest album, it's also one of the best albums of the decade. The Doctor is IN!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Huge Dr.John fan here....
BUT, I can only give this three stars, and that's being generous. The first song is great but the rest of them are just plain bad, mostly b/c he lets political bias get in the way. Read more
Published 10 months ago by JMH0911
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dr John Is The Man!
Dr John is and has always been one of my favorite Blues Rock artists. He is definitely the Leon Russell of New Orleans. Great music from the master of all the New Orleans artists.
Published 16 months ago by Jack D. Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Care forgot but Dr. John Makes Sure We Don't Forget
Dr. John/Mac Rebennack is not keeping his passionate feelings about what has happened in New Orleans and the Gulf region a secret. I have always enjoyed listing to his music. Read more
Published on August 28, 2010 by C Ruiz-Esparza
1.0 out of 5 stars
This is pure awful
This is pure awful sound. I won't even go there to call this music. This is nothing but a very poor political manifesto disguised with popular artists to get people to purchase... Read more
Published on March 23, 2009 by ByronS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thank you! Dr John
What a great piece of work and truth...Thanks for having the balls to tell the truth with this masterpiece of Funk! Hope you take home the grammy for your hometown... Read more
Published on January 23, 2009 by Johnny Lanz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dr. John gets political/stays funky!
I bought this CD when it was first released & have listened to it many times since. I've listened to a number of the post-Katrina CD's & think this is one of the best. Read more
Published on December 4, 2008 by M. Tarr
4.0 out of 5 stars
New Orleans
A taste of New Orleans sound. The sound is still there, while the city may never be the same.
Published on November 10, 2008 by Denver B. Cornett
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dr. John is Ill
I am a big fan of Dr. John. This is not one of his best and I can't even play it again to get familiar enough to enjoy it. Read more
Published on November 1, 2008 by Harold Fox
1.0 out of 5 stars
UG
If you relish being depressed as hell, then you will love the lyrics to these dirges disguised as New Orleans romp. Read more
Published on October 27, 2008 by UG
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Doctor is In
City That Care Forgot portrays very well how Dr. John feels about the aftermath of Katrina. Though this album is a little off the beaten path for Dr. Read more
Published on September 28, 2008 by John Sileo
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