With "Gris-Gris" probably holding the record as 'first psychedelic voodoo album', Dr. John is in a category "all by hisself" (to rip off a recent album title). Generally known as a consummate New Orleans piano man, he brings more than virtuousity to a session in which he's involved. The way Johnny Winter puts it, Mac (Malcolm) Rebennack is a walking library of old songs that few on the current scene have worked up, even if they DO know them. Although his first hit single didn't come until 1973 (Album: In The Right Place, song: "Right Place, Wrong Time", producer: Allen Toussaint), he'd been a fixture as a west coast session man for about ten years, having been discovered by Phil Spector and other producers. Around 1965 he was able to create a unique persona, "Dr John Creaux the Night Tripper", around which he built the 1968 album "Gris-Gris", a sort of swamp-acid rock. And at about the same time (with such albums as "Gumbo"), he began to return to his New Orleans roots and his reputation solidified. Rebennack (who often records under his original name, as well as "Dr. John") continues today with a full schedule of concert dates and session gigs.
Bio written by: Pete_Jamison |
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