New Orleans remembered in music
With Dr. John’s Gumbo, released in 1972, Mac Rebennack turns towards the music of his youth. After the distinctive sound worlds of his first four Dr. John albums, New Orleans standards take centre stage. “Iko Iko”, “Big Chief”, “Tipitina” and the “Huey Smith Medley” become landmarks on a personal musical map. The title is apt: different ingredients belong together without losing their individual origins.
This return to familiar repertoire was recorded in Los Angeles, at Sound City Studios, with Jerry Wexler and Harold Battiste producing. It is a fresh encounter with old material rather than a return to an earlier recording location. An experienced session musician approaches the songs he grew up with using the resources he has acquired along the way.
Songs that lead to other records
“Tipitina” points towards Professor Longhair, “Big Chief” towards Earl King. “Mess Around” was written by Atlantic co-founder Ahmet Ertegun. “Somebody Changed the Lock” is Rebennack’s own contribution. The selection can therefore become a route into a wider collection: each familiar title opens another part of rhythm-and-blues history.
The original jacket thanks Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band for suggesting “Iko Iko”. Small connections like that turn a collection of standards into a record of personal choices. The programme has a stronger purpose than simply assembling well-known songs.
Harold Battiste and the ensemble
Alongside his production role, Battiste contributes horn and vocal arrangements. Lee Allen plays tenor saxophone, Ronnie Barron organ and electric piano. Freddie Staehle is on drums, with further instrumentalists and singers broadening the lineup. Dr. John’s piano sits inside an ensemble capable of giving the different songs distinct settings.
In “Big Chief”, follow the relationship between piano, horns and rhythm section. Then move to “Tipitina” and hear where the emphasis changes. The source material remains recognisable, but Rebennack’s voice, playing and band give these interpretations a shared context.
The Atlantic 75 double LP
AAPA 056-45 contains two 180-gram stereo LPs at 45 RPM. The publisher credits Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio with mastering from the original master tape. The records are pressed at Quality Record Pressings and presented in a Stoughton tip-on gatefold jacket. Twelve tracks run across four sides, from the opening “Iko Iko” to the closing “Little Liza Jane”.
You order from Michael 45 in Germany. We arrange the US import and dispatch from Hilden.
More from the series: Atlantic 75 Series
Also on SACD: Dr. John’s Gumbo
More by Dr. John: Gris Gris · In The Right Place
Customer questions: Atlantic 75: which titles are worth buying? · Buying Analogue Productions records in Europe
Series: Atlantic 75 Series – all 75 albums, time journey and the people behind Atlantic
Musicians
Documented selection of participating musicians. Personnel may vary by track; this list does not claim to be complete.
| Name | Instrument / role |
|---|---|
| Dr. John | Vocals, Guitar, Cornet, Piano |
| Lee Allen | Tenor saxophone |
| Ronnie Barron | Backing vocals, Electric piano, Piano, Organ |
| Harold Battiste | Saxophone, Clarinet, Vocals |
| Moe Bechamin | Backing vocals, Saxophone |
| Sidney George | Saxophone, Harmonica |
| Dave Lastie | Saxophone |
| Shirley Goodman | Backing vocals |
| Tami Lynn | Backing vocals |
| Alvin Robinson | Backing vocals, Guitar |
| Ken Klimak | Guitar |
| Jimmy Calhoun | Bass |
| Freddie Staehle | Percussion, Drums |
| Richard "Didimus" Washington | Percussion |
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