Amazon.co.uk Review
New Orleans mystic
Dr. John has been playing professionally for five decades now, his extraordinary piano playing and slightly less outstanding guitar playing (surely having the tip of a finger shot off in a brawl can excuse him from being perfect on this count?) gracing many an album albums, as well as his own highly individual solo efforts.
This compilation covers Dr. John's recent albums, which saw him feted by some of Britpop's finest, who appear on here. Although the mix of a New Orleans voodoo priest and hip young guitar bands may seem incongruous, it works; various members of Supergrass and Ocean Colour Scene acquit themselves admirably as a backing band, but those directly under the good Doctor's spell- Paul Weller, The Beta Band- add the necessary touch of grit and sympathy to elevate tracks like "Party Hellfire" to the level of his best work. Admittedly, nothing touches his highest peak of the unbeatable 'Gris-Gris', but the clean tight funk here is nothing to turn your nose up at. Throw in a charming duet with B.B. King on the ribald "Hen Layin' Rooster", and some tasty bonus tracks, and you have a fine compilation deserving of a wide audience. --Thom Allott
Album Description
Since signing to Parlophone 1997, Dr John has released four great albums--all very different, but all in the distinctive and inimitable style of the music industry's favourite physician. From Anutha Zone in 1998 with a host of guest collaborations, through the Duke Ellington Centenary celebration Duke Elegant in 1999, to his personal interpretation of New Orleans in 2001 with Creole Moon, and last year's star-studded N'Awlinz--Dis, Dat Or D'Udda, Dr John has produced a wealth of latter-day musicality for the label. The Best of the Parlophone Years is a veritable gumbo, including as it does the best tracks from this productive eight year period accompanied by the good Doctor's own sleevenotes commenting on each of the four albums from which the tracks are taken. As well as Dr John's unmistakeable vocals and keyboard along with his regular band, featured guest artists include BB King, Paul Weller, Joolz Holland, Randy Newman, Mavis Staples and Gaz Coombes/Mick Quinn (Supergrass), J.Spaceman a/k/a Jason Pierce (Spiritualised) amongst others. As a bonus to his loyal fans, the album also features two bonus tracks--the previously unissued "Careless Love" from the 2004 N'Awlinz--'Dis, Dat Or D'Udda sessions and "Look Out"--only previously available as a bonus track on the Japanese version of Anutha Zone.
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