Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack: The Legendary Sessions, Vol. 1 [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Dr. John | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 8, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Clean Cuts
• ASIN: B00006LLPC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,823 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #34 in Music > Blues > Piano Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

By the early '80s, Dr. John was mostly in demand as a session player and ad jingle writer, but he cut a pair of back-to-back solo piano albums that proved he was still capable of greatness. The first, Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack, ranges widely, from joyous tributes ("Memories of Professor Longhair," "Pinetop") and slow blues ("New Island Blues," "Saints") to graceful standards such as "Dance à la Negres" and "Wade in the Water." With the exception of a gentle version of "The Nearness of You" and a peppy take on "Silent Night," this album is all instrumental--a joy if you're a fan of solo piano, though perhaps a bit wearing if you're not. (The 2002 reissue adds four previously unreleased bonus tracks.) --Keith Moerer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic. An essential for anyone who loves the instrument, September 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack: The Legendary Sessions, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

Where does one begin?

This album is an education, a history lesson and an eye opening challenge to anyone who loves and plays jazz, rock/pop or even classical piano.

This album is a stunning rarity: a dignified instrumental presentation of a piano
style rarely heard in a solo setting-by the master himself.

This is clearly a labor of love for the Doc. This is from his gut.

On this amazing disk of wonderful compositions, Dr. John reveals the inner workings of his New Orleans, funky, bluesy piano style and leaves you scratching your head, dying for more, and (if you play the piano seriously) will send you running to the piano for the next year to figure it all out - leaving you more in awe of his accomplishment.

Every once in a while an album comes along that inspires a musician to grow and challenges their preconceptions about the possibilities of their instrument, their musical vocabulary and technique.....for me, this was one of em.

10 stars if I could give them

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solo piano.... New Orleans style!, May 28, 2004

By 

Joepiano "Joepiano" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack: The Legendary Sessions, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

If you enjoy New Orleans piano (Professor Long Hair, James Booker and Allen Toussant) then this CD is a must have! The good Doc goes smoothly through a nice group of songs, and since he is playing solo on this CD, you can really hear his talent. He only sings twice, so the piano is center stage on this one. All of the New Orleans greats are blended together in one guy. The CD recording and piano are top quality.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Absolute Best, December 2, 2002

By 

Dennis Bianchi (San Francisco, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack: The Legendary Sessions, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

Dr. John may have never played better. He may have done different renditions of some of these tunes but he never played them so straight at you, so clearly N'Orleans piano. My favorite of his and one of my favorite of all, and I own a few thousand recordings.