Sat Eye Candy: Dr. John

CRY BONNAROO, THE GOOD DOCTOR IS 67

You ain’t as freaky as me…

Dr. John celebrated his birthday yesterday and while a day late we’re not a dollar short in honoring great souls like the Doc. The man born Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. on November 21, 1941 has done MUCH for our collective musical health, serving as an ambassador to New Orleans and the spirit world running behind it. Beyond his own work, his piano and songwriting are threaded into the workings of contemporary soul and rock in a foundational way, a flavor as American as hamburgers and apple pie ‘cept it’s our minds and spirits that get stuffed. You can write us a prescription anytime, Doctor, sir. Happy birthday, Mac, you’re one of the best!

Slap on your face paint and pull out the feather headdress ’cause The Night Tripper is here to take you away like a pleasant scent on warm Gulf breeze.

David Sanborn, in a sporty string tie, asks Dr. John a few questions about Mardi Gras before a pretty dang funky “Iko Iko” that probably set someone’s grandma’s place on fire.

An educator as well as an entertainer, here’s the Doctor schoolin’ us on Pine Top Smith‘s “Pine Top Boogie” solo style.

Back to his Night Tripper days for a lil’ mule ride.

As earthy as they come, here’s Dr. John with Rickie Lee Jones and a big band “Makin’ Whoopee.”

In the realm of three-minute wonders, there’s few better than “Such A Night,” and this solo live take from 1981 is totally sweet.

Remember when MTV showed a bit of good music? Well, the first season of Unplugged featured an episode with Dr. John. Here he is getting’ down with host Jules Shear and a shaggy Joe Walsh on “Let The Good Times Roll.”

We conclude with a convocation of New Orleans royalty – Dr. John, The Meters, Professor Longhair and Earl King – singing about that ol’ “Big Chief.” Sound is low so crank it up and let all nearly eight minutes lubricate your weekend.

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