Customer Reviews

Do Your Thing

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These guys are so soulful and rife with slide guitar bayoo sound. If you get to New Orleans JazzFest in April/June (which I do every year), you'll hear a lot of this sound. But this band really stands out. Listen to it several times and you'll year different things every time. It's grown on me big time since I've owned it. First I liked it. Now I LOVE IT. The songs are all wonderful, but 'Early in the Morning' and 'Coffee' are the living best. Their other albums are JUST as good.

This is a stone cold sure shot! I'm new to Papa Mali but this is a GREAT record that's not afraid to fly its freak flag. Dark, mysterious, some great songs, and (as anyone who knows what's up in New Orleans can tell you) an amazing roster of musicians... what's not to love?

Papa Mali and crew return from the bayou like a big sweaty "swamp-thing" to instagate a riot for your senses. Oh not just your ears, but your nose will smell the gumbo, barbecued chicken and cornbread. Your eyes will see new, wonderful colors as the big Papa's stoned-soul mardi-gras comes marchin' through your stereo with Isaac Hayes out front as the Grand Marshall, then Henry Butler and his grand piano will come floatin' in to tickle your fancy, and ya' betta get up offa ya' feet as Robb Kidd gets the party rockin' like a one man drum section, opening it all up for the heavies in the middle of the parade; you'll see Wild Magnolia Indians, Dozens of Dirty sousaphone players, you'll see a Prophet claiming he knows the true religion, you might even see a Mofro they call JJ Grey in there grinnin' from ear to ear, and you will be too as your senses take it all in. And just like the Mardi-Gras, I wish this trip didn't have to end, but I think I see New Orleans' finest comin' down the line.....oh.....wait....it's on repeat, aaaahhhh the party never ends.

Papa Mali and The Instagators last album, Thunder Chicken, is one of the funkiest in recent memory, blending hard grooving N'Awlins funk with nasty delta blues and soulful southern rock. While Papa Mali himself is brilliant - as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist - the album is clearly a band effort, with each member adding a peace to the intoxicating brew. What surprised me about Do Your Thing is that the Instagators are gone, leaving instead an album that, despite a few collaborations, is most definitely a solo project for Papa Mali.

Drummer Frosty Smith, who added his lose, effortlessly funky second-line style drumming to Thunder Chicken has been replaced by Rob Kidd. Kidd's drumming is oftten distractingly heavy handed, and his rock oriented "caveman" beats rob the album almost entirely of its funk. With the exception of Henry Butler's brilliant piano on "Honeybee," possibly the album's best track, keyboards have been removed from the mix. Its a major loss since the howling Fender Rhodes and sweet organ were so much a part of what made Thunder Chicken great. Lastly, the thumping bass guitar from the last album has largely been replaced by the sousaphone work of ledgendary Dirty Dozen founder, Kirk Joseph. Joseph's playing is brilliant as always, so this is not necessarily a criticism, but the change is dramatic.

Despite these changes, Do Your Thing is not a bad album, and its biggest redeeming feature is most definitely Papa Mali's songwriting, which has grown more singularly distinctive in the years since Thunder Chicken. "Honeybee" sounds as if it could be a New Orleans standard, full of the same timeless grace as many of the city's ancient tunes. "Little Moses" lopes along with surreal, biting imagery. The albums final four songs are all excellent, amply making up for clunkers like "I Had The Dream." From "Girls in Bossier City," a dark hallucinatory meditation that burns with energy throughout, to "Hallelujah, I'm a Dreamer," the albums touching folky closer, the mood and vibe of the album are enough to lull anyone into a trance.

Those looking for a funky, dancable swamp funk album should look elsewhere. But for anyone who loves Papa Mali's simple, but evocative lyricism and haunting spirituality, Do Your Thing is fascinating.

First, the cd is great. Second the individual I purchased it from provided great service. Received it on schedule and wrapped. I have purchased "new" cd's that have been unwrapped. Not much I can say. Price was right and service was great. I have been purchasing all of my cd's on Amazon now because of their prices. Probably, I have purchase 20 in last 2 months.

I agree the flavor is there. I agree the cast brought together on this effort are genu-wine! However, each song seems to be burdened by a redundancy and menotony that disappoints. Admittedly, after "Thunder Chicken," which I enjoy greatly, my expectations were perhaps too high. "Do Your Thing" does not get there for me, nor for my crew. Will continue to listen and hopefully that which has taken purchase with others will also be drawn upon me and mine. Keep trying, Papa Mail. Dig your style and art, but this offering has yet to compel.