Must have been the right place.....

There seems no shortage of opportunities to catch Dr. John in these parts lately (he's played the Iron Horse in Northampton, will appear at the Litchfield Jazz Festival in early August and at Rhythm & Roots in Charleston, RI on Labor Day weekend). Well, chances are he will be offering generous samples of his new Mercinary CD just out on Blue Note:

AMG review - Dr. John's been on a roll since he signed with Blue Note. Each title he's released on the label has been solid, full of New Orleans funk, hot R&B, and swinging, finger-poppin' jazz. Since the Hurricane Katrina disaster, dozens of Crescent City players have been active, and trying to bring the message of the music to the masses like never before. Mercernary is a program almost entirely made up of tunes by the legendary Johnny Mercer. There is no explanation for this, other than Mac Rebennack has always admired his lyricism and the striking rhythmic originality of the rhythmic possibilities in his music. Other than a few guests to fill out the proceedings here and there, the band on all tracks is Dr. John with his fine Lower 911. The music here is joyful, gritty, and slippery.....