Customer Reviews

Tribal

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4 star:		(2)
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Of all the musicians who emerged in the sixties and who are now creeping towards their eighth decade, no one has done so with more grace than Mac Rebennack---Dr. John. But then, he always seemed to be an old soul, even when he was a young buck. Old not in the sense of infirm or worn-out, but old in the sense of having a world of experience and amassed skills. Health permitting, he will be able to continue to do what he has always done with no loss of dignity for decades longer, and I hope he does. His voice, as instantly recognizable as Satchmo's, has not changed one bit. People can imitate Armstrong---Tom Waits did so in "I Was I Was in New Orleans", and Ella Fitzgerald channelled Satch for a few bars, hilariously, on her "Ella is 40!" live album---but I've never heard anybody imitate Dr. John. If a cape buffalo could sing, this is what he would probably sound like---and this is a compliment. The fact that Dr. John is still with us and still performing and recording regularly is something to remember whenever gloom looms. And he is not coasting on past glories---"Tribal", his new album, stands among his best.

One quibble: I assume Dr. John wrote or co-wrote these songs, but the liner notes contain no songwriting credits---or at least none that I could detect. Whoever created them, they are a tasty blend of Dr. John funk, soul, R&B, and Big Easy gumbo. The backup band, the 911, is tight but loose---a contradiction, but one who hears this CD will understand. This album sounds very organic; it was probably cut live in the studio. Derek Trucks guest stars on one cut. No one song stands out as an instant classic, but all fourteen cuts are terrific.

Offhand, I cannot think of any recording artist not yet honored with a career-spanning box set who is more deserving of one than Dr, John. It's time somebody righted this wrong. I will suggest a title, and I think it's a pretty good one: DOC IN A BOX.

Dr John's new album is as fresh and innovative as any music he's done in the last thirty years! How does he do it? Most of his contemporaries are getting by singing their old hits in casinos and concerts. Dr John is still fresh-still pounding out songs with the same musicality and funky feel. Three bars into any Dr. John song and you know it's his music. He's covered many other artist's songs, but few can cover his- and no one else can come up with that sound- that music.
Most of the songs on this album are short. There's a lot of versitality in the music on this album. He could have turned any one of these songs into a ten minute riff, but instead he chose to give us a taste of many things from his menu. You get the feeling that the good doctor has a lot more to say.

The Voice of NOLA strikes again - and with the help of Derek trucks ( for my money the top new guitar-slinger out there ) = very cool album.

I own most of Dr. John's output of the last 20 years. This release stands head and shoulders above most of those releases. The lyrics are witty, the arrangements are smokin' and Dr. Johns voice has rarely sounded as gritty and earthy. Although his acoustic piano playing is not as prominent here as on some of his albums, the tight and soulful playing by his band and supporting cast more than compensates. And his organ playing is a standout. This is one album that grows on you the more you listen. It's complex, fascinating and simply makes you feel good to listen to. Favorite tracks: Tribal, Only in Amerika and A Place in the Sun. Pick up a copy today. Incredible music.

Wynton Marsalis, on a local radio show here in San Francisco, talked about how the blues are optimistic. I kind of understood then. Dr. John's City that Care Forgot presented the sense of betrayal and disgust with how New Orleans and the Gulf Region were ripped to pieces by natural and bureaucratic disasters. Tribal comes back with verve, savvy and tons of soul. There is humor and growly grace in every song. I don't want to write more because I am not that good at criticizing music. Care forgot, but Hope is sorting it all out.

Honestly, everything that the Doc has recorded with the Lower 911 band over the last decade or so has been a winner. This is no exception, the Doc simply aging like a fine wine. Go see these guys live too, a really awesome band.

Dr. John
"Tribal"
(429 Records, 2010)
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Riding high on his ongoing role in the HBO TV series, Treme, the illustrious New Orleans jazz-blues-funk guru known as Dr. John (aka, Mac Rebennack) is in fine form on this boisterous, assertive, super-funky album. The backing band is tight (contemporary blues star Derek Trucks throws in a few licks, along with Dr. John's current crew...) and the lyrics have a laser-beam focus, including several songs with a searing social message... Not too hard to understand, considering all that Louisiana's been through lately. If you're a Dr. John fan, you won't be disappointed -- this record is relevant and persuasive -- and if you're new to the Doctor's swampy roots-voodoo stew, you're in for a treat. Don't forget to dig into his early stuff as well! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Guide To World Music)

The man keeps bringing it!.......not bad for a 70 year old geezer. This album rocks with my favorites being "change of heart"
"manoovas" 'tribal" "them" a place in the sun" another solid Dr . john release. Hopefully a many more will come.

Untill Mr. English's wittily titled "Doc in a Box" arrives on the scene, "Mos' Scocious : The Dr. John Anthology" is a fine 2-CD set covering up to '93. It nicely took care of my needs for a number of years. Today, Aug 2010, I see that an import box set, Original Album Series:Babylon/Dr. John'S Gumbo/Gris Gris/In The Right Place/The Sun, Moon & Herbs, is avaliable. 5 albums for $18, NEW! I may have to pick that up, just because.

I went on a LIVE Dr. John quest earlier this year for my B-Day and picked up: Trippin' Live, the obscure Dr. John and Cris Barber(leader of a British Dixieland band), the Live at Montreaux DVD, as well as Dr.John Plays Mac Rebennack (The Legendary Sessions Volume 1 - not live but as intimate as it gets)... All were deeply satisfying.

See him if you get a chance, he's a World Treasure.

This is probably the most pleasurable album he's ever made. I can't say exactly why. Maybe it's the simplicity of the songs. The rhythms and the sounds of the instruments come clearly through the almost invisible material. And the chord changes hit just so! To me this album is kind of a reward for those who faithfully bought his albums year after year. Unfortunately even those who never heard him before and don't deserve it can also buy this album. Maybe Amazon should institute a policy where only those who bought at least 2 of his previous albums can be allowed to purchase this one.