just a quick note(longer post tomorrow): i've been listening to irma thomas' newest, still grand. a terrific album featuring her lovely voice & a number of fantastically talented pianists. listening got me thinking about dr john, what a uniquely american treasure he is. when he dies(the only time guys like him get their real props)there shouldn't be a moment of silence but a loud trumphet blast, followed by a neat arpeggio that leads into a deep muddy bass line...listen to his accompaniment of ms thomas on "be you." that's new orleans piano history being laid down & jumping. hell, mac rebennack is new orleans piano history. what you hear on that cut is the naked FORCE of music, it's timeless power to reach into your being. it's accomplished w/ eloquence & subtlety(those delicate arpeggios) but also w/primitive crudity(the muddy bass-line). if you've ever been to the city, you can hear that history & feel that force every night of the week almost everywhere. jelly roll, tuts, toussaint, booker...& the good dr john. all ghosts but mac & allan. let's hope the good dr keeps it rolling for a long time.
definative dr. john:
gris gris
in the right place
dr john plays mac rebennack
the city that care forgot
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