Dr. John's Gumbo

Dr. John's Gumbo

Editorial Reviews
<"b000002i6p7580"> Amazon.com essential recording
After the studio bloat of 1971's The Sun, Moon & Herbs, Gumbo is a tightly focused return to Rebennack's musical roots. His band is full of Louisiana legends (Harold Battiste, Lee Allen) plus lesser known but equally important 'Nawlins heroes: Ronnie Barron, Alvin Robinson, and a wonderful trombonist known simply as Streamline. Together, they rage through a dozen New Orleans classics, not only the work of Professor Longhair and Huey Smith, but also Earl King and Ray Charles, who lived in the Crescent City while leading the house band at the Dew Drop Inn. Many of these songs are closely associated with the '50s, but Gumbo never sounds forced or nostalgic; it's great work from start to finish. --Keith Moerer

<"b000002i6p7499"> Amazon.com
After earning a name for himself as a high priest of psychedelic voodoo, the man baptized Mac Rebennack returned to his New Orleans roots with this 1972 concoction. Gathering tunes and players he'd encountered in his many years as a Crescent City session pro, Dr. John assembled a loving tribute to the city and the sounds he loved. Tunes such as "Iko Iko," Big Chief," and "Junko Partner" have become roots-music standards over the last quarter century in significant part... read more