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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mercernary - Dr John, 12 May 2006
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.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Awlins Fonk, 29 May 2006
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
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mac puts a smile on my face, 2 Aug 2006
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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