During an international tour back in 1995 Dr. John hopped into the studio while in Germany and recorded a set of tunes with the WDR Big Band. The good doctor returned home and the tapes were archived; now they see the light of day as Big Band Voodoo. The resulting mix of New Orleans tunes around big band swing music is unique and broadens Mac Rebennack’s musical catalog.
Opener “Indian Red” is the standout number as the syncopated New Orleans percussion, rolling bass and Mac’s piano playing lead the way before letting the band take over for a huge rave-up complete with blaring brass arrangements and clean swing progressions. The band feels like it can roll on in this fashion forever before Dr. John jumps back in and wraps things up, a perfect blending of styles.
A few standards from his 1995 album Afterglow get a more straight-ahead tepid light jazz direction with “I’m Just a Lucky So And So”, “Tell Me You’ll Wait For Me” and “Blue Skies” only deliver mild results while “New York City Blues” and “I Know What I Got” both go over the top in Broadway fashion . Some better slow efforts are the bluesy grace of “I Still Think About You” and “Gee Baby” which finds the doctor in extra fine spirits, singing with gusto. Big Band Voodoo has two solo takes of New Orleans classics “Stagger Lee” and “Tipitina” as just Mac and his piano tackle the numbers, while both are fine versions, it feels like a missed opportunity not getting the WDR Big Band involved.
The project works best on the upbeat jump numbers where Rebennack can lead the way and the WDR Big Band have the freedom to range loud and free. “Mess Around” has the manic energy of a jam session, while “JC Blues” puts in a dramatic swelling finale to piano-based blues and “Going Back To New Orleans” has a dynamite Cuban flavor coursing through its trumpet lines and slick guitar work.
Big Band Voodoo has too many forgettable torch songs like “So Long” to make it a must-own for anyone other than Dr. John completists, but the unique full band spins on “Indian Red” and “Going Back To New Orleans” in particular make them worth seeking out. Even after his death, it is good to know Dr. John has some surprises left for his fans.
One Response
There’s a reason some sessions are left in the can. But I appreciate your review and it sounds like a few of these songs deserve to be heard. Love the WDR Big Band and Dr. John is/was an embodiment of the New Orleans musical traditions.