Serious popular music collectors know all about New Orleans maestro, DR JOHN. Born Malcolm John Rebennack in New Orleans, the multi Grammy winner died in 2019 but he left an unparalleled legacy – a legacy set to continue with the upcoming release of his last album, ‘Things Happen That Way’ which hits the sales racks on 23rd September.
The album was flagged up a month or so back via the single, ‘Gimme That Old Time Religion’ on which John was joined by his old pal Willie Nelson.
The 10 tracker features plenty more guests including Aaron Neville who joins the good Dr on a rendition of the Travelling Willburys’ ‘End of The Line’ which they present in a quirky mix of percussive New Orleans loose jazz/funk and country music courtesy of rising C&W star Katie Pruitt. Sounds odd, but it works beautifully! Amongst the other tracks are a re-working of John’s own ‘I Walk on Gilded Splinters and covers of Hank Williams’ ‘I’m So Lonely I Could Cry’ and Willie Nelson’s classic ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’.
Those country tunes are no coincidence. It seems that Dr. John had long been planning to record a country-flavoured album. Sadly, he didn’t live to see its release.
Dr. John’s Final Studio Album ‘Things Happen That Way’ Due September 23 via Rounder Records.
