- Audio CD (1 May 2006)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Parlophone
- ASIN: B000E5L88E
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 28,767 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Review
The title says it all. New Orleans' mos' scocious resident follows up last year's rush-released charity album withone built around the work of legendary lyricist and composer, Johnny Mercer: A man whose roots also lay in the deep south, being born in Savannah, Georgia.
Most people have at least one Mercer song lodged in their unconscious. For more than half a century his collaborations with giants such as Hoagy Carmichael and Harold Arlen defined 20th century popular song. Fans of his work as interpreted by greats such as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby may however be surprised by the good Doctor's arrangements.
Delivered in the easy style of Crescent City, classics such as "Dream", "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby" and "Lazy Bones" are morphed effortlessly into the typical gumbo variations that we associate with Mr Mac Rebennack. His band The 9-11 sway and bump while the Doctor's piano adds all kinds of spicy detail.
Business as usual for the former Night Tripper, then. But business that's most welcome... --Chris Jones
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mercernary - Dr John,
By
This review is from: Mercenary (Audio CD)
A fair to middling effort from the good Doctor awaits the listener hear.The album comprises of Dr John's own interpretations of songs composed by Johnny Mercer and he's nearly pulled it off but not quite.He works his way through a set of tunes at at a relaxed tempo with his trademark rasping gravelly voice sounding far more laid back than usual and he rarely seems to be breaking sweat.The two instrumentals are a bit of a disappointment with "Tangerine" and "i'm an old cowhand" played just as mid tempo groove pieces rather than letting some of that old time New Orleans style piano playing to shine through.That aside there is much to enjoy here "Personality" and "That old black magic" taking the honours and "Save the bones of Henry Jones" providing a laugh or two with it's humerous lyrics.This is a much more easier listening album than his recent efforts and missing are some of those wonderful blusey tracks with a voodoo'ish tinge that he really has made his own in recent years.
All in all a decent effort from the Doc but not quite up to the standard of the recent "Nawalinz di dat..." and "Creole moon" but still enjoyable and worth a place in the collection of all fans of the good Doctor.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Awlins Fonk,
By
This review is from: Mercenary (Audio CD)
Dr John has done is again. He has taken the funk or "fonk " as he calls it of New 'Awlins and mixed it up with Johnny Mercer's songs, that old southern boy," that Dr John can relate to. As he says, "That's why I think of Johnny Mercer as a mercenary,"he was a hustler; he knew how to survive out there. He always wanted to write Broadway shows, but because he wasn't from New York, they wouldn't let him get in the clique. So the next best thing he could make a hustle out of doing was to go to Hollywood and write songs for movies; he had some success doing that. But it was always kind of sliding on a Tin Pan Alley guy's coattails, whether it was Harold Arlen or, later, Henry Mancini. I love going from `I'm an Old Cow Hand' into `Dream' on the record, because that's what a real hustler of a songwriter can do?"he can dream up some stuff and write a song quick. I do this?"and appreciate Johnny Mercer for being able to do that."
Dr John fills this CD with joyfull grit. It does not in any way sound like the old regulation VFW tunes that we may have come to expect with Johnny Mercer. Each song, has been made for Mac Renneaback, Dr John's birth name. The project came to fruition from a suggestion came from his daughter Tina, who pointed out that "Personality," would be a perfect fit for her dad's down-home style. In fact, Tina suggested, why not do a whole album of songs written or popularized this giant of American popular music? Dr John agreed and set his band up . that old magic came to life with each and every recording. They were so in tune that each song was done in one or two takes. .Dr John had a handful of songs in mind from the start, including "Blues in the Night," "Lazy Bones," "That Old Black Magic," "Save the Bones for Henry Jones" and "Tangerine," and each one bears no resemblance to any of the old tunes. Even "Moon River" is Dr Johns. You can savor the tune, but your feet are tapping-tapping to Mon River? Yes, such. "Dream" and "Old Cowhand" are played like you have never heard them before. Mercernary honors not only Johnny Mercer, but New Orleans. Every note played by Dr. John and his fellow musicians is the sound of living New Orleans. "What is the secret to musical longevity?" the legendary New Orleans artist had a ready answer. "Living," he replied. Through more than half a century of music making, Mac Rebennack Jr. has been doing just that as he's rolled with the highs and lows that come with being a working musician, and these days he finds himself in an extended stretch of being in the right place at the right time. Now 65, this American icon, whom fellow legend Jerry Wexler once described as "the blackest white man I know, is at his peak." And we are the lucky recipients of this artist. Highly Recommended. prisrob 5-28-06
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mac puts a smile on my face,
By
This review is from: Mercenary (Audio CD)
I've only just received this, and I'm loving it - listening with a big smile. I only knew one or two Johnny Mercer songs before this, but what a wonderful way to discover the rest!
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