Dr. John

bassist15 · #1 06-27-2006, 08:56 AM

Any Dr. John fans here. I was lookin for some new music to listen to and my thoughts jsut went to him. Ive heard about him alot but never listened to him. I read about Gris-Gris in rolling stone's 500 greatest albums.

Juneau · #2 06-27-2006, 09:24 AM

Im a fan, but I cant say I own any of his albums. I have a John Scofield plays the music of Ray Charles, that Dr. John is all over, singing and playing.

kherber · #3 06-27-2006, 09:36 AM

He's a unique, and arguably classic talent. I've had the good fortune to share a stage with him a couple times. They were absolutely memorable performances.

Doc

Bob Lee (QSC) · #4 06-27-2006, 10:17 AM

Dr. John is very cool. His albums have sort of a signature sound to them, but they're also extremely varied and unpredictable.

He's best known as a piano player, but he started his musical career on guitar. Sometimes I recognize him playing a piano part on someone else's recordings, and when I check the credits, sure enough, there he is.

Back in the 70s he used to play concerts in elaborate full Mardis Gras costumes.

Clay_Bass · #5 06-27-2006, 10:20 AM

He just played at the Jazzfest up here. My house is a block away from the venue so i get to sit home and listen for free. Its cool stuff. I dont know that I would listen to it for long periods of time but I liked him.

Dave Martin · #6 06-27-2006, 11:48 AM

Doctor John's re-invented himself a number of times over the years; one of my favorite records is "Goin' Back To New Orleans", which is from a few years ago. "Gris-Gris" is a wonderfully weird record, though...

Bob Lee (QSC) · #7 06-27-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Martin

Doctor John's re-invented himself a number of times over the years; one of my favorite records is "Goin' Back To New Orleans", which is from a few years ago.

One of my favorites as well. The lead track on it, with the Neville Brothers on vocals--IIRC, it's called Litanie des Saints or something like that--just gave me chills the first time I listened to it.

dougjwray · #8 06-27-2006, 01:00 PM

Two of my favorites are: "Gumbo", where he covers classic New Orleans tunes like "Big Chief" and "Iko Iko"; and "In the Right Place", where's he's backed by the Meters.

clockworkwar · #9 06-27-2006, 01:07 PM

Seen him on British TV a bit hes very good! But when Jools Holland interviewed him he did seem a bit dead to talk to. Great talent though!

kherber · #10 06-27-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockworkwar

Seen him on British TV a bit hes very good! But when Jools Holland interviewed him he did seem a bit dead to talk to. Great talent though!

He's a somewhat strange, but very intelligent man. We discussed a number of subjects when I met him, and he recomended several books to me.

He left a very deep impression with me. Playing with him was a highlight in my career.

Doc

gkbass13 · #11 06-27-2006, 04:58 PM

my favorite stuff of his is when he played with The Band on the last waltz.

Mudfuzz · #12 06-27-2006, 05:04 PM

In The Right Place is my favorite Dr. john album

**SoComSurfing** · #13 06-27-2006, 05:12 PM

I've got a good dozen or so Dr. John albums, but the one that I would really have to recommend is "All by Hisself". IIRC, it was recorded around '88 or '89, and is just him singing and playing piano. One of my all-time favorite albums.
And Bob Lee is right. He started his career as a session guitar player in New Orleans at 15 years old! He was shot in the left arm, I believe, which led him to switch to piano. I've gotten to see him twice in the past 4 months or so, and he is absolutely amazing.

jellisii · #14 06-27-2006, 08:00 PM

Allright, I gotta say that, allthough this shouldn't be too difficult (considering the fact that "John" is a fairly common name, but the fact that two of my favorite hobbies have a "Dr. John" just amuses me.

http://www.micapeak.com/DPG/moto_guzzi/daytona/pix.html (Scroll to bottom)

Dr. John Wittner (Dentist by trade) threw a bunch of wrench at his Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000 and made it a *very* formidable race bike at the time. His ideas are still used in the Guzzi aftermarket for the current crop of Guzzi sport bikes.

bassist15 · #15 12-03-2006, 03:01 PM

I just bought Humble Pie Performance Rockin the Fillmore and heard their verson of I Walk on Guilled Splinters. I still havent been able to track down and DR.John albums but Im trying. I was watching BLues Brothers 2000 the other day and part of the soundtrack has Dr.John playing an awesome version of Donovan's "Season of the Witch"

Morrolan · #16 12-04-2006, 02:13 PM

I watched a documentary a couple of weeks ago called, "Last of the Mississippi Jukes," (I think), about the delta music scene after Katrina. Dr. John was featured prominently.

Sort of an interesting film, especially if you're into delta jazz & blues.

RareBear · #17 12-04-2006, 02:20 PM

He was my neighbor when I lived in NYC. We chowed down at the local diner a few times together. He started out as a guitarist but got shot in his pinky so he switched to piano. Friendly guy and great at what he does.

Juneau · #18 12-04-2006, 02:41 PM

Dr. John is neither a Doctor, nor is he named John....discuss

Folmeister · #19 12-04-2006, 02:48 PM

I highly recommend his version of "Thankyoufalettinme bemyself" on his Television album. It's one of my favorites. I believe his real name is. . . .Mack Riebenack(SP?). I am pretty sure I don't have the last name right, but his stuff is priceless!

Juneau · #20 12-04-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folmeister

believe his real name is. . . .Mack Riebenack(SP?).

Mac Rebennack