Dr. John and the Lower 911 – City That Care Forgot – 429records.com FTN 17703 ****:
(Guests: Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Terence Blanchard, James 12 Andrews, Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews, Ani DiFranco, Terrance Simien)
Several different jazz and pop performers have done albums with a Katrina-centered theme, but Dr. John’s is one of the most fun to listen to. And that certainly doesn’t mean he’s toned down his horror and concern over the way New Orleans was treated in the disaster. An example: after talking about the so-called “drowning victims full of bullet holes”…”You…say it’s a job well done; hopped back on the AirForce 1.” The most affecting for me was the message of “My People Need a Second Line.” You have to know a bit about New Orleans music and culture to dig that one.
Dr. John’s guests are a kick. It was great hearing Willie Nelson joining him on “Promises, Promises,” and Terence Blanchard’s trumpet lights up two tunes, with Eric Clapton’s guitar and vocals joining in on three of the tracks. The arrangements and general production values are on a high plane. Congrats to the Dr. for a great album that tells it like it is.
TrackList: Keep On Goin’, Time for a Change, Promises Promises, You Might Be Surprised, Dream Warrior, Black Gold, We Gettin’ There, Stripped Away, Say Whut?, My People Need a Second Line, Land Grab, City That Care Forgot, Save Our Wetlands.
– John Henry
