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Album Review
by Prof. Funkenstein
15-6-2004
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| Dr John and a mighty bunch of friends |
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Dr John: 'New Awlinz – Dis Dat Or D’Udda'
(Parlophone)
Dr John - voodoo funker and friends
Dr John Creux, Mr Malcolm ‘Mac’ Rebennack, ‘voodoo funker’, ‘The Nite Tripper’, call him what you want, but whenever a new album by the legend is announced there is a feeling on a new adventure into dark, more magical, deeper into a hoodoo-land… ‘New Awlinz – Dis Dat Or D’Udda’ certainly doesn’t disappoint…
The man’s strangely titled new album presents history of the music and traditions of New Orleans he grew up within and experienced. One of city’s greatest exponents is this time produced by the [also] legendary Stewart Levine and it embraces a variety of musical styles both past and present, meshes up and turns them into the familiar Dr John realm.
This time the great pianist has invited some friends along and, as one would expect from someone who’s been on the scene nigh to 5 decades, he’s got some name ones. Willie Nelson brings his country spirit to ‘Such A Much’, BB King does some of his blues-mastery on ‘Hen Layin‘ Rooster’ and both of these gentlemen return and join forces on ‘Time Marches On’.
The great Mavis Staples appears on several tracks, as well as the fellow Louisiana-native Cyril Neville, plus Randy Newman… Through all these songs, some traditional [‘When The Saints Go Marching In’, ‘Stakalee’] and others freshly penned, all bear the unmistakable Dr John’s stamp.
His musical gumbo contains ingredients from all the corners of time and all spatial points - funk rhythms, jazz horns, Rock’n’Rock licks, boogie piano, R&B strut… Topped with heavenly singers, a choir from Eden. If ‘Marie Laveau’ doesn’t take you into the canyons of your mind where you store horror, you gotta be a - zombie! Otherwise, what a trippy feast!
The good Doctor leads down some fine and mighty imageries…
8/10
Prof. Funkenstein
15-6-2004
Dr John’s ‘New Awlinz – Dis Dat Or D’Udda’ is released 14 June 2004 by Parlophone
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