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Elly Roberts reviews
Parlophone
- Cat.no: 3456852
- Released: November 2005
- Rating: 8/10
- Format: CD (mini-album)
Second in the recent Lennon instalment of solo albums.It would be true to say that Mac Rebennack aka Dr.John is consumed with allthings New Orleans.
“I love New Orleans,” he declares, “I love the people,its food, its culture, the music and the lifestyle.” It comes as no surprisethat the mercurial musician has devoted time to dedicating his recentefforts to the recent flooding tragedy. He continues, “New Orleans is thebest of everything. I’m saddened and angered by what has happened.”
This mini-album is released to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Allproceeds will go the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, the Jazz Foundation ofAmerica and the Voice of the Wetlands.
The four tracks that comprise ‘Wade;Hurricane Suite’ are brand spanking new, whereas Clean Water was originallyrecorded and released by Dr. John’s friend Bobby Charles in the 1980s. SweetHome New Orleans has been reworked with additional lyrics by wife andsongwriting partner Cat Yellen. Titled Sippiana Hericane because of wheretwo states meet: Sippiana = Mississippi + Louisiana. Hericane is spelledthis way because Katrina (Hurricane Katrina) is a female’s name.
In most part, this delightful collection has a lazy jazzy feel. Withlashings of neuvo funk, reminiscent of Steely Dan, the eclectic maestrostrolls through with consummate ease, supported by excellent Lower 911musicians Herman Ernest 111 (drums/vocals) David Barard (bass/vocals) andJohn Fohl (guitar/vocals). Dr.John’s piano skills are always a delight, buthe really excels on the suite’s Calm In The Storm where his touch andtechnique come shining through. It may well be a lament, but its soul is asstirring and vibrant as the musical metropolis itself. The message to thepeople who ignored the dangers is loud and clear.
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Clean Water Wade (Hurricane Suite)
2. 1.Storm Warning
3. 11. Storm Surge
4. 111. Calm In The Storm
5. 1V. Aftermath
6. Sweet Home New Orleans
7. Clean Water (Reprise)
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.