Quickies: Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis, Dr. John, John Mellencamp, Left Lane Cruisers - Page 2

I'm not one to run out and snap up everything either Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis puts out, but this collaboration of two national treasures is special. They bring out the best of each other and further earn the icon status that each have earned so many years ago.

Dr. John And The Lower 911 The City That Care Forgot
It was perhaps apropos that the consummate ambassador for New Orleans music would be the first to come out with an album responding to the city's devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina. Sippiana Hericane was short and perhaps not fully realized, but it was out a scant three months after the catastrophic event and captured Dr. John's initial shock, sorrow and ultimately hopeful reaction to it.

Now, nearly three years later, Dr. John has a more fully formed commentary on Katrina and the sorrow and hope has now turned to rage. The message is directed squarely at the Washington politicians and is blunt: we're still suffering and in your greed, you've forgotten about us.

The good thing about the anger is that angry artists tend to be more invested in their work. There's a certain grittiness that's been missing from most of Rebbenack's work for a couple of decades and it's great to see him return to the sound of his Allen Toussaint days when The Meters and the Bonnaroo Horns backed him up. Those roles are filled quite amply this time by Dr. John's Lower 911 band, who are on board for the third Dr. John record in a row, now.

As the trend seems to be these days, this record is stuffed with a parade of special guest appearances. But unlike most such records, it doesn't disturb the vibe much. Eric Clapton's tasty licks on tracks like "Time For A Change" and "Stripped Away" build upon a long history as a vastly underrated sideman. Fellow New Orleanian Terrance Balchard contributes his trumpet on a couple more tracks. Dr. John is joined on a singing duet by — who else? — Willie Nelson, although Willie's appearance here doesn't match up nearly as well as the above collaboration with Marsalis.

Perhaps the most important guest contribution comes from legendary Cajun songwriter Bobby Charles. He helped Rebbenack pen five of this set of all-originals and wrote one more by himself. The songs recall the golden age of New Orleans funk but there's fury with that funk. The anger is reflected in songs of frustration ("We Gettin There"), indignation of greed ("Black Gold"), environmental concern ("Save Our Wetlands"), and a plea for help ("My People Need A Second Line").

Article Author: Pico

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