We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
If you can’t afford a vacation to New Orleans, put “Dr. John’s Gumbo” and be transported. The 1972 album was his fifth and solidified his place as the purveyor of Bayou goodness and good-time Crescent City partying.
The Dr (aka Mac Rebenack) only penned one of these tunes “Somebody Changed The Lock”, instead concentrating on some of the classics of the genre. Songs written Earl King, Professor Longhair, James “Sugar Boy” Crawford and especially Huey “Piano” Smith.
Here are some of the original versions…
You’ll recognize this one
The hit version was this one….
The album also includes a funky little number called “Mess Around” written by Atlantic Records President Ahmet Ertegun. You’ll remember the Ray Charles version from Planes, Trains & Automobiles…
The band of session cats and New Orleans musicians swings and the good doctor’s rollicking piano runs drive the tunes.
It’s an excellent record and a loving postcard from one of the greatest music cities in the world.
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