Description
Label Review.
A star-studded concert at New Orleans' Saenger Theatre, with Dr. John joined by a stunningly diverse assortment of notable guest artists, who perform 22 songs written, recorded and/or popularized by Dr. John during his prolific six-decade career, honoring his large and still-growing musical legacy. The Musical Mojo of Dr. John 2 disc live recording captures a star-studded concert at New Orleans' Saenger Theatre, with Dr. John joined by a stunningly diverse assortment of notable guest artists, who perform 22 songs written, recorded and/or popularized by Dr. John during his prolific six-decade career, honoring his large and still-growing musical legacy.
The performers include Bruce Springsteen, who duets with Dr. John on the 1973 smash 'Right Place Wrong Time'; Jason Isbell, who delivers a heartfelt 'Blow Wind Blow'; John Fogerty, who performs the raucous Crescent City anthem 'New Orleans'; Mavis Staples, who brings gospel fervor to 'Lay My Burden Down'; Widespread Panic, who lend musical muscle to 'Familiar Reality'; and Ryan Bingham, who delivers a haunting 'Back by the River.'
Fittingly, The Musical Mojo of Dr. John also features memorable performances by several New Orleans legends, including Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Terence Blanchard, John Boutté, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, George Porter Jr. and Zigaboo Modeliste of the Meters, and Aaron, Charles and Cyril Neville. Bassist Don Was served as the project's musical director, leading an all-star house band that also included Allman Brothers Band/Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, renowned NOLA pianist John Gros, Funky Meters guitarist Brian Stoltz and journeyman drummer Kenny Aronoff, as well as Dr. John's longstanding musical compatriot, trombonist Sarah Morrow.
Our Overview.
In an article in Bomb Magazine 1990 - 'Artists in Conversation' Stanley Moss eloquently wrote: “Quick, name a musical legend, one of the few authentic proponents of barrelhouse boogie woogie, an artist of legendary proportions who traces his creative origins to real New Orleans Blues. Answer: Malcolm Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr. John, known to his friends as Mac.
He’s an imposing figure both professionally and personally. He’s played with everybody, including Dylan, and toured the world last year with Ringo. His voice accompanies hit movies and American Express commercials ...Mac Rebennack is about 5’10" tall and weighs almost 250 pounds. He says he’s trying to lose weight. He doesn’t appear to eat much, doesn’t use alcohol, and drinks a lot of Coca-Cola. His voice sounds intermittently smooth, gravelly, caramelly, hewn from years of cabarets and endless cigarettes. Onstage, he goes into a trance-like state, his full concentration on the vocals, pounding and caressing the keys. In performance, Dr. John demonstrates a mystical connection to a vanishing part of American musical history”.
As Dr John fans we feel this is a fitting description, we have and will continue to indulge ourselves in the music of this great man.