This was the witch doctor's fourth album, and despite the voodoo dripping swamp blues from the American south, the album was recorded in London. I suspect the geographic location is to thank for Eric Clapton's and Mick Jagger's presence on the record. According to the info on the cover, Clapton is heard on slide guitar, while Jagger joins the backing vocals.
This album is filled with voodoo mysticism, but much of the theory is beyond me, as I'm relatively ignorant on the subject. Dr. John, aka Malcolm John Rebennack, used a lot of voodoo inspired content on his first albums and shows, how much this was just an image, I can't really say, but he seemed to have real interest and involvement in the scene.
The Sun, Moon & Herbs is a cool album. Generally, I'm not a blues guy, but Dr. John's dark version appeals to me, with its spices of mysticism and psychedelia. The songs moves between Dr John's raspy voice and the female backing vocals which answer him. They complement each other, the doctor's voice puts the listener in a hypnotic state, and the female choirs then pull the line in and you're lost. With the doctor as guide, the listener is taken on a journey to the darkest and most secret places of the South. With you on the trip is his groovy wind section, which also puts its mark on many songs.
The songs are relatively long, in most cases that's OK since it's a relatively hypnotic mood that is generated; it's often positive to let this last for a while. But a couple of songs are somewhat boring, so they would gain in being a bit shorter. Dr. John's idea was that this was going to be a triple album and was never really satisfied with the single record format. Personally, I think this format is good, on a triple (or double) album, there's a risk that there will be too much filling. You don't get that now. After this album, the doctor left the voodoo mysticism and began to lean more towards traditional New Orleans R & B.
So, I recommend letting Dr John throw his spells on you via the stereo, the mobile phone or whatever you use to listen to music. But it's probably an album that doesn't suit everyone, it's not radio friendly Max Martin pop. It's best played on a dark, humid night, when the sweat is dripping, dark spirits roam the streets and insanity lures around the corner.
Tracklist
Side A
1. Black John the Conqueror 6:20
2. Where Ya at Mule 4:56
3. Craney Crow 6:40
Side B
1. Familiar Reality (Opening) 5:25
2. Pots on Fiyo (Filé Gumbo) / Who I Got to Fall On (If the Pot Get Heavy) 5:48
3. Zu Zu Mamou 7:57
4. Familiar Reality (Reprise) 1:53
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