Customer Reviews

Dr. John's Gumbo

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is impossible to listen to this CD and not want to grab the next flight to New Orleans. Dr. John hit all the right notes when he put this collection of New Orleans standards together back in the 70's. It sounds as good today as it did then because this is timeless music. Just fantastic R & B with tasty arrangements and the Dr's rockin' piano and growling voice supplying the flavor. This is truly a classic and one I've listened to again and again for years without tiring of it. Not many records that I can say that about.

An excellent sounding reissue of Dr. John's 1972 albumful of New Orleans R 'n' B. Mostly featuring his interpretations of classics and hit singles ("Iko Iko" "Mess Around" "Junko Partner" "Stack-A-Lee" "Tipitina", and a medley of Huey 'Piano' Smith tracks), with one original ("Somebody Changed the Clock"), and a great slow blues track called "Let the Good Times Roll" (but not the same song as was a hit single for Shirley and Lee... even though Shirley does, coincidentally, sing backing vocals on the LP).

Great piano playing from Dr. John, along with his growly vocals. Excellent support from a bunch of his New Orleans friends who all found themselves in Los Angeles (where this was recorded) in late '71. Great percussion and horns. The mix of r 'n' b, jazz, blues and traditional New Orleans styles is irresistible.

This is THE Dr. John album to own and is an incredible collection of songs. With the Dr.(nee Mac Rebinack) playing fluid licks over his funky left hand bass lines, a tight rhythm section, and tasty horn arrangements you'll feel like you're right on Bourbon Street. I've heard this album literally hundreds of times and I never grow tired of it.

I know Dr. Johns music note for note (I was born and raised in New Orleans). This is his best album ever. It has the prfect blend of cajun and blues songs like Iko Iko and other favorites. So if you ever have acrawfish boil or if your makin' Jumbalaya, you know just what to listen to...Dr. John's GUMBO.

Dr. John belts these tunes out with so much feeling! Didn't know too much about the Dr. before I bought Gumbo, but this disc is like a tour of New Orleans... "Iko Iko", "Big Chief", "Junko Partner", "Stack-A-Lee", "Tipitina"!!! Fantasitic piano playing that makes you think they had a blast just recording the album. In the liner notes the Dr. refers to "Gumbo" as blues and stomp music with a touch of dixieland jazz. Take a listen to "Blow Wind Blow" and his amazing cover of Fess' "Tipitina", and you'll see why that description pretty much sums it up.

Man, I have wanted this album ever since my friend played it for me on his turntable...."Iko Iko" caught my ear and hasn't let go since! This album is so much fun, it really does make you want to hop on a flight to New Orleans.

Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack is in top form on this album, and it is my favorite of all of his works. All of the songs are catchy and pay homage to other N'Awlins pioneers such as Professor Longhair and Huey "piano" Smith. Most of the songs are reinterpretations of classics, with a few originals. Dr. John plays the heck out of the keyboards in full boogie style, and is joined by a mass of musicians: Melvin Lastie (cornet), Sidney George, Lee Allen, David Lastie & Harold Battiste (saxes); Ken Klimak & Alvin Robinson (guitars); Ronnie Barron (elec. piano); Jimmy Calhoun (bass), Freddie Staehle (drums); Richard "Didimus" Washington (percussion) and several background vocalists. All of the musicians create a tight band and have a superb feel for the New Orleans style.

Buy this album for a fun, New Orleans-tinged, time! Rock out to the Voodoo-funk-R&B-Rock that is Dr. John!

Not only is it a classic and timeless...it is real happy and upbeat and can get you out of any gloom..The New Orleans feel is only part of the story, Dr. John must have influenced The Clash when they were doing London Calling..Stagger Lee, Junko Partner etc...are all on this CD..you can not go wrong if you like King Oliver,Professor Longhair,Jelly Roll Morton etc....take a chance on a classic from close to 35 years ago...

This is not only the best Dr John recording ever, it is my all time favorite by anyone. Total perfection!!!

A New Orleans musical history lesson that doesn't feel or sound like school at all. Actually, it sounds like a party in Dr. John's living room. Spirited piano and vocals in his inimitable style, and freewheeling arrangements of a number of Deep South R n' B standards - guaranteed fresh, hot, and steaming every time you stick it in the player. Plus, highly informative liner notes on each and every song by the good doctor.

There isn't a bad track. Hell, there isn't a bad note. Dr. John covers icons such as Professor Longhair and Huey Smith to plug us into the funk, the stride piano, the gutter humor and the alien dialect of New Orleans, which, amazingly enough, is part of America. It's hard to pick just one, but 'Big Chief' starts with an organ riff like a circus calliope, then a thudding drum and bass, then Dr. John's ripsaw voice, then, a little later, a crazy female choir. Should've been a hit.