Dr. John, The Night Tripper - "The Sun, Moon & Herbs" (1971)

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

Dr. John - "Gris-gris" (1968)

Dr. John, aka the Night Tripper. Or Mac Rebennack as his real name is. Gris-Gris was his debut album, a boiling keettle of psychedelic voodo blues, music that awakens the sleeping swamp spirits and attracts the undead from their hiding places.

Dr. John lived in New Orleans and was a sought after studio musician and producer. Trouble with drugs and the police (he had been a drug dealer, had run a brothel and spent a few years in prison) made him escape to Los Angeles. There, he joined a group of other musicians in exile from New Orleans, and managed to get by on occasional gigs.

Before starting the recording of Gris-Gris, it was thought that another New Orleans singer would take the the role of Dr. John, but in the end Mac Rebennack himself had to shoulder the responsibility, and maybe that was for the best, he has remained in this character until today. The inspiration for the character was Dr. John Montaine, an African magician Mac felt a spiritual closeness to. And perhaps we also should thank Sonny & Cher for Gris-Gris, it was leftover studio time from them which Dr. John could use.

The music then? Gris-Gris is not a record to be played a beautiful summer's day, when the sun is shining, the birds are singing and happy children play outside in freedom. But when darkness has fallen, humidity approaches 90%, the thunder rumbles somewhere nearby and everything, including yourself, feels hot and sweaty. Then it's time for Gris-Gris. It's psychedelic blues with a voodo ingredient, which at least I appreciate. Dr. John's growly voice is complimented by female choirs that contributes to the mystique. Suddenly you are in the deep South, where noone hears you scream.

When the album was released, it wasn't received with a lot of interest. But as the years have passed, the record has grown in esteem and is now hailed by many as a masterpiece. The spells have worked. On me too, because I like the album. Another one of my naive project of finding a used copy in the Montreal stores, of an older date. Impossible. In the end I had to get a reissue from Amazon. The album is played at your own risk. Who knows what's going to knock on the door.


Tracklist

Side A
1. Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya 5:36
2. Danse Kalinda Ba Doom 3:39
3. Mama Roux 2:59
4. Performing Fambeaux 4:56

Side B
1. Croker Courtbullion 6:00
2. Jump Sturdy 2:20
3. Walk on Guilded Splinters 7:37