RIP Dr. John

He sure did. This makes me very sad...RIP

 

Check out an early seventies track called, where ya at mule. A smile is guaranteed.

 

His lyrics are responsible for an album title by another band!

According to the 1996 re-release notes, the title came from a lyric in Dr. John's 1973 hit, "Right Place, Wrong Time" from his In the Right Place album (released 26 January 1973): "Just need a little brain salad surgery/Got to cure this insecurity." It replaced the working title Whip Some Skull on Yer; both titles are slang expressions for fellatio.[5][2]

Right Place Wrong Time
Dr. John
I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong time
I'd have said the right thing but I must have used the wrong line
I been in the right trip but I must have used the wrong car
My head was in a bad place and I'm wondering what it's good for
I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong time
My head was in a bad place but I'm having such a good time

I been running trying to get hung up in my mind
Got to give myself a good talking-to this time
Just need a little brain salad surgery
Got to cure my insecurity

I been in the wrong place but it must have been the right time
I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong song
I been in the right vein but it seems like the wrong arm
I been in the right world but it seems wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong

Slipping dodging sneaking creeping hiding out down the street
See me life shaking with every ho' I meet
Refried confusion is making itself clear
Wonder which way do I go to get on out of here

I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong time
I'd have said the right thing but I must have used the wrong line
I'd have took the right road but I must have took a wrong turn
Would've made the right move but I made it at the wrong time
I been on the right road but I must have used the wrong car
My head was in a good place and I wonder what it's bad for


I actually saw Dr. John at the Valley Forge Music Fair.
My older sister worked there as an usher and routinely got free tickets. Went there with my parents before I was actually getting into music really or at least what I was interested in (before I had my own records and record player!).
All I can recall is some big guy with a beard and bright feathers at a keyboard singing and playing. I must have been 11 or 12 which would have been 1972

 

RIP.

 

RIP to one funky dude. One of my faves.

 

I wonder who played bass for him?

 

Man, saw the good doctor many a time, once in a little joint above a music store, couldn't have been more than 50 people in the room. RIP, I will miss you and thanks for all the wonderful music that would make me feel so good.

 

Sadly, I didn't see any of his gigs. My first Dr John experience was hearing Night Tripper in 1970 and immediately buying it. He's been on my radar ever since.

 

I got to see him in 1974, I think. Great show, fuzzy memory.

 

David Barard in the Lower 911 Band