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Elly Roberts reviews
Parlophone (EMI)
- Released: March 2005
- Format: CD
- Rating: 8/10
- Cat.no.: 8609202
Maximum funk-fusion from New Orleans troubadour Dr.John.
Musics mercurial physician, real name Malcolm Rebenneck (born November 20,1942) as Parlophone at long last give his unique repertoire a fresh airing.
This superb 17-tracker showcases funk, glitter and voodoo charm to perfectionsince signing to the label in 1997. Releasing four highly distinctive andeclectic albums, NOs favourite son throws a veritable gumbo from The NightTripper, the best tracks from his productive eight year span with The Best OfThe Parlophone Years, including his own sleeve notes.
Along with his unmistakable vocals and keyboard, influencing the likes of TheFun LovinCriminals, artists include BB King, Paul Weller, Jools Holland,Randy Newman and Gaz Coombes and Mick Quinn of seminal British indie rockersSupergrass.
This album has super-cool written all over it and is best listened to in yourcar or headphones. Rippling funky basslines thrust the whole thing forward,with sophisticated layers of keys and brass adding the icing on the cake.
There simply isnt a wasted moment. Bonus tracks include the previously unissuedCareless Love and Look Out. The one-time Phil Spector session manhas failed to make significant commercial inroads on the UK scene (though hiscult status sell out all his shows), with only one album chart entry in 1998- Anutha Zone. This collection may redress the problem.
Standout tracks – It Dont Mean A Thing, Now That You Got Me, I Ate Up TheApple Tree (featuring Randy Newman).
WeblinkDr John.org
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Zonata
2. I Like Ki Yoka
3. It Dont Mean A Thing
4. Voices In My Head
5. Marie Laveau
6. Party Hellfire
7. Now That You Got Me
8. Hen Layin Rooster
9. I Ate Up The Apple Tree
10. Im Gonna Go Fishin11. Hello God
12. Food For Thot
13. I Dont Wanna Know
14. Lay My Burden Down
15. Sweet Home New Orleans
BONUS TRACKS
16. Careless Love
17. Look Out
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.