Dr. John (from Things Happen That Way

Dr. John (from Things Happen That Way

Dr. John (from Things Happen That Way available on LowA9 Records/Rounder Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
 
It was a wish-list notation for the legendary Dr. John…. to record an album of the Country & Western music that influenced him as a musician and soothed his spirit as a fan. Dr. John left the project incomplete when he passed away three years ago. Taking on the task of seeing the album through, Mac Rebennack aka Dr. John’s eldest daughter Karla Pratt finished production, releasing the results as Things Happen That Way. Of the progress and results, Karla shared that ‘though it’s very sad that my father isn’t here to see this project that meant so much to him finally be out in the world, I take great comfort in knowing that we fulfilled his long-held wishes. During his lifetime he frequently stated his desire to record this album with his dear, lifelong friend Willie Nelson and Willie’s son Lukas Nelson as treasured guest artists - he felt having two generations would be very special, spanning past and future. Though he didn’t get to work with Lukas during his lifetime, I’m very happy to know we were able to make that happen. Another lifelong friend, Aaron Neville, lends the instantly recognizable, beautiful voice he always admired. We’re so grateful to the many musicians who contributed to this album, and I’m confident that Dad would be very proud of the final result’.
 
Dr. John welcomes Aaron Neville on board Tom Petty’s Traveling Wilbury-track “End of the Line”, harmonizing with Willie Nelson on “Gimme That Old Time Religion” and digging back to his own Dr. John the Night-Tripper debut with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real for “Walk on Guilded Splinters”. Things Happen That Way opens with the Willie Nelson-penned standard “Funny How Time Slips Away”, exiting by adding a personal touch to the album title with “Guess Things Happen That Way”. Musically, Things Happen That Way both nods to Country & Western while expanding on the genre with a masters touch as Dr. John nostalgically melts his vocals over Hank Williams “So Lonesome I Could Cry” while he bumps and grinds a gritty take on Hank’s “Ramblin’ Man”. A trio of Mac Rebennack originals sway and shimmy a second-line groove for “Holy Water”, offering advice on the uptown strut of “Sleeping Dogs Best Left Alone”, and DIY reflective shuffle in “Give Myself a Good Talkin’ To”. (by Danny McCloskey)
 
Listen and buy the music of Dr. John from AMAZON
 
Please go to the Dr. John website for more purchase and artist information