Customer Reviews

The Very Best Of Dr. John

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

 

 

The Very Best is exactly that, the very best of Mac Rebennack, aka, Dr. John. This CD covers it all. Blues, funk and typical New Orleans beat. Its hard to sit still while listening to any of the tracks on this CD... but Goin' Back To New Orleans remains my all time favorite, although its tough to pick just ONE! Don't miss this one at all!

Dr John (aka Mac Renneback) has helped popularize the many exciting sounds of New Orleans over the years. This collection shows what makes Dr John a special performer. The gumbo of styles that make New Orleans music so joyful are expertly rendered by the good Doctor's peppery piano and bluesy vocals. From his funky classic hit Right Place, Wrong Time to the pyschedelic voodoo classic Walk on Gildeded Splinters, there is not a weak track here. One could quibble that some of the songs covered here are done better by their originators, but these are all fine performances. Use this as a springboard to discover more of the great more artists that have made New Orleans a musical capital such as The Meters, Professor Longhair, etc. Enjoy!

It's always going to be the case that when someone puts out a best of compilation of an artist you really dig, the opinion on which songs should have been included and not is always going to be a question. Where is 'Life', 'Traveling Mood', and 'Just the Same' all off his classic album - In The Right Place? What about 'Blow Wind Blow', 'Tipitina' or 'Somebody Changed The Lock' not to mention others from Gumbo? I don't think this compilation is compiled all that well, but what are you going to do, everyone has their favorites. Dr john is a legend. Buy Gumbo, In the Right Place, Gris Gris, and anything the man is releasing because he's still got it. So three stars although it hurts me to do so.

Cut down from Rhino's 2CD anthology Mos' Scosious from the previous year, this 18-track non-chronological collection manages to weave its way through the various styles of Dr John's albums in such a way that they seem to fit together despite their disparate nature, from the mystic voodoo of the Gris Gris album and the New Orleans roots of his piano playing to the lushness of the two tracks from In A Sentimental Mood. Most of the most popular singles are included (missing are Wang Dang Doodle, Let The Good Times Roll, Rite Away, Let's Make A Better World and a few others), as well as some illuminating album tracks made for Atco (to 1974), for Warner (1989-1992), including the Grammy-winning duet with Rickie Lee Jones, Makin' Whoopee; and the Baltimore-based Clean Cuts (a solo piano tour-de-force found on Joe Liggins' Honey Dripper)(1981)

Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack is an artist that is difficult to categorize. His music blends rock, blues, jazz, funk and soul into a sort of, well, musical gumbo. He's an amazingly talented pianist, guitarist and singer. This CD is a very good introduction to his wonderful, funky, sometimes strange music. Every cut is great. This CD will take you right down to New Orleans.

Contrary to popular belief, The Night Tripperhad more good songs than just Right Place, Wrong Time, sadly the only Dr. John tune most can identify. For starters, the stripped-down voodoo music (no better term) I Walk on Gilded Splinters does a better job of sending chills down my spine than anything death-metal has to offer (that crap makes me laugh, but that's off-topic). That tune is easily one of the 100 best songs ever recorded. Incidentally, the chorus of the song is not "Till Alberta" but "Till I burn out". Anyway, I'm also a big fan of Right Place Wrong Time Such a Night, Junko Partner (I especially get a laugh out of that opening line), Wash Mama Wash, Loop Garroo, Iko Iko, Tipitina, Qualified, What Goes Around (Comes Around), Honeydripper and Goin' Back to New Orleans. Each of these tunes can go toe-to-toe with virtually every radio hit by the much more-famous Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd. Dr. John's music is very niched, a combination of funk, blues, jazz and voodoo grooves, but it's great stuff just the same and should be heard by all music fans. Granted, it might just be too left-of-the-center for you. Only one key track was left out: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-ya, which could've easily replaced Mos' Scocious. The Doctor's vocals and piano are strong through the album, and every song is good. Why not?

This is an excellent compilation of Dr John, that makes a perfect introduction to the mans many talents. As producer, guitarist, pianist, writer, voodoo rock star and Jazz and Blues musician you are bound to find something you like here.

You want to hear the Piano playing that inspired Jools Holland? Listen to the 'Honey Dripper' from the marvellous solo Piano album 'Dr John plays Mac Rebennack'. His early 70's material (mainly produced by Allen Toussaint) is well represented by 'Right Place Wrong Time', 'Such A Night', 'Iko Iko', 'Qualified', What Comes Around', 'Mos' Scocious' and of course a cover of Professor Longhair's 'Tipitina' (another chance to hear his Piano skills).

Some of the later material like 'Makin' Whoopee!' with Rickie Lee Jones, is a little too smooth for my taste. This track is a swinging big band affair, its still good don't get me wrong, but all the rough edges have gone. However, modern production techniques can't hide Dr Johns singing voice which will not be to everybodies taste - given time you will get used to it.

Theres a nice 4 page booklet with the CD which gives you a mini biography of the artist. In a way those 4 pages are like this CD. Its just an overview. There is or was a better compilation available (The Dr John Anthology) and in truth some of his albums (like ...plays Mac Rebennack) should be in your collection anyway. But this is a fine way to find out which Dr John you want buy into.

Part New Orleans party music and part Tin Pan Alley, the music of Dr. John is a potpourri of influences; never quite true to any one sound. This collection shows the popular side of his career with his few hits ("Right Place, Wrong Time" "Such A Night") and many other worthwhile tunes, all played with Dr. John's panache. While Dr. John may never be confused with the all-time greats, he definitely has his own place in music history and this CD does a fine job of capturing the many facets of his varied career.

As a music guy, I hate "best of" collections. They frequently strip the artist of context and scope. However, this one does a surprisingly good job. And, of course, the source material is as good as it gets. Use this to start your collection.

Trying to pick the best of Dr. John has got to be as hard as trying to classify what type of music he plays. But I have to agree with the decisions on what to put on this disk.