Customer Reviews

Ton-Ton Macoute

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...of the dozens of albums for which Duane Allman was a session guitarist this is very likely my favorite. Allman's bottle-neck slide work is legendary. On this historic work you can hear for yourself that, both on electric and acoustic guitars, the legend is elegantly understated. Just as the man was. Though brilliant, his playing never dominates the music here. The rhythm section is made up of solid studio veterans, whose playing consistently supports the songs and the singer. From 1971 when I first discovered it on vinyl til now in digital format it has lost none of its cyclonic punch. Stylistically varied, from the New Orleans "sassyness" of Walk On Gilded Splinters to the straight-ahead drive of Bad News ("...bad news travels like wild fire, good news travels slow, that's why they call me Bad News every place I go...") the song selection and the production is superbly balanced. I could not begin to adequately praise the assembled rhythm section. They are not just 'hired guns' but obviously applied loving care in crafting this jewel of the Rhythm & Blues genre. Johnny Jenkins, though not well known, had the absolutely necessary swagger to step up and front a group of this calibre. His voice is leathery yet warmly confiding. He may never have had a huge following but even a cursory listen bears out that Johnny Jenkins had "paid his dues" on countless bandstands before he walked into this session. I must confess that hearing this music again made me feel afresh the abject pain of losing Berry Oakley and Duane Allman - may they rest in peace. If you like your Blues where matchless playing skills predominate and a peerless production provides a confident yet discrete setting, then I feel you will enjoy this album. For me it has lost none of its immediacy, sparkle or wine-warm glow. No stars or limousines here, friends, just the Truth in Blues etched deeply in every groove.

Ton-Ton Macoute was originally recorded in 1969-70 and is re-released here with two previously unreleased tracks--"I Don't Want No Woman" and "My Love Will Never Die". The original CD was intended to have been a solo release by Duane Allman. Duane, of course, opted instead to focus his energy on the newly formed Allman Brothers Band and the rest, as they say, is history. For what it's worth, Ton-Ton Macoute loosely translates to "Uncle backpack" and, in Haitian folklore, this mythical figure haunts children that do not obey their parents. The title seems to set the tone of the CD and fits the dark covers of "Gilded Splinters', "Blind Bats and Swamp Rats" and "Voodoo In You" rather nicely. Also, while Duane opted not to undertake this as a solo project, he does appear on six of the 11 tunes playing his slide, rhythm and Dobro guitars. The lead vocals are handled competently by Johnny Jenkins and he and Duane are joined on the disc by Butch Trucks on drums, Paul Hornsby on piano and Southern Comfort contributing to the backing vocals among others.

Johnny Jenkins legendary "swamp blues" style, combined with a back up band of some of the best musicians ever assembled - Duane Allman - guitar & vocals, Berry Oakley - bass, Jaimoe - timbales, Paul Hornsby - piano and rhythm guitar, Johnny Sandlin - drums. Duane's acoustic slide guitar on "Rolling Stone" and "Down Along the Cove" is out of this world!

Anyone who enjoys Duane Allman's guitar work or just some riveting blues, you will no doubt enjoy "Ton-Ton Macoute"!

Orginally conceived as a Duane Allman solo album, Ton-Ton Macoute has found its way into the hearts of southern rock fans, who recall the hay-day of Capricorn Records. You may be familiar with Walk On Gildded Splinters (a Dr John hoo-doo masterpiece) and Down Along The Cove (Bob Dylan circa John Wesley Harding), both are featured on the Duane Allman Anthology volumes one and two. And how about John Lee Hooker's Dimples? This has long been an Allman Brothers Band staple. Here Johnny really tares into this old blues classic. All I can say is Johnny Jenkins growling vocals, Duane's soaring slide guitar, Berry Oakley's rock-steady bass and Butch Trucks always tasteful drumming all blend together on this bistering hot southern rock masterpeice. Crank this baby up, turn out the lights and watch as the blind bats and swamp rats start to fill the room!!!!

I bought this record in a grocery store in Pittsburgh,Pa in 1970.I feel it is one of the very best "blues" recordings I've ever heard.I'm a working opera singer but I rather listen to this than Wagner!

The story I heard goes like this. A young James Hendrix left Washington and spent summers with his Aunt in the South. It was here that he was befriended by Johnny Jenkins. The rest is rumor, but the mind reels at the possibilities of the student and his teacher. This is one of my favorite recordings ever. Duane, Duane, Duane, how we miss you!

Johnny Jenkins was one of the youngest blues masters when this record first came out. His style is funkier than traditional slow blues and boogie, and he is one of the major influences on british and American blues rock giants that followed him.

This is a great cd. I go back to it again and again. Good for parties in the cd changer. Blow your friends away that its Allmann on guitar

There is a severe shortage of Duanne Allman music in this world.
Duanne plays on 6 of the 11 tracks. Lord have mercy.

Johnny Jenkins was a great interpreter of this genre of music. Combine that with Duane Allman's phenomenal playing and it doesn't get any better than this.