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The New York Times Fall Culture Preview

75 Pop and Jazz Albums, Shows and Festivals Coming This Fall

DR. JOHN The New Orleans piano man who embodied the musical mélange of his hometown had the kind of drawly, lived-in voice that only improved with age. So “Things Happen That Way” — Dr. John’s final album, recorded the year he died, 2019 — captures him in peak form. The album honors the singer’s country influences via covers of classics by Hank Williams (a swaggering “Ramblin’ Man”) and Willie Nelson (a wry “Funny How Time Slips Away”), who also duets with the good doctor on a funky “Gimme That Old Time Religion.” A few originals — a reprise of “I Walk on Guilded Splinters,” from Dr. John’s voodoo-inspired 1968 debut, and new tracks including “Holy Water,” inspired by his early ’60s drug arrest — frame him as a key link in the American lineage he so revered. 
(Sept. 23; Rounder) — Hank Shteamer

Dr. John’s Final Studio Album Things Happen That Way is Released

New Orleans Legend’s Musical Farewell Garners Tremendous Critical Praise

September 23, 2022 – For many years, Malcolm “Mac” Rebennack, Jr – the legendary New Orleans musician known to fans the world over as Dr. John – spoke about wanting to make a country & western album to pay homage to the musicians and songwriters whose songs had a profound and enduring effect on him, and deeply influenced much of the remarkable body of work he produced during his six-decade-long career in music. Read more here

PRE-SALE ANNOUNCE

Announcing Things Happen That Way, the last studio album from Dr. John

Over the course of his six-decade-long career, Dr. John embodied a near-mythic multitude of musical identities: global ambassador of New Orleans funk and jazz and R&B, visionary bluesman, rock and roll innovator, one-time top 10 hitmaker, self-anointed and massively revered high priest of psychedelic voodoo.
 
On Things Happen That Way, out September 23, 2022, the six-time GRAMMY-winning Rock & Roll Hall of Famer reveals yet another dimension of his cosmically vast musicality: a lifelong affinity for classic country & western music. Things Happen That Way arrives as the latest and final studio album from an artist who remained wholly unpredictable, alchemizing the charmed simplicity of traditional country into a wildly enchanting body of work.
 
Listen to the first single, a haunting and hypnotic new rendition of “I Walk on Guilded Splinters” (which originally appeared on Dr. John’s groundbreaking 1968 debut Gris- Gris) below. Country-rock powerhouse Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real joined Dr. John for the newly recorded version of the classic track.  “It’s a great honor to attempt to interpret the work of Dr. John,” says Lukas. “His music has inspired me since childhood. He was a friend to many, and we all miss him dearly. His music is medicine.”
 
Pre-order exclusive versions of the album and limited edition merchandise from the Dr. John label store by clicking here (or by heading to the “STORE” tab).


Happy New Year from The Official Estate of Dr. John

The Official Estate has been navigating Covid delays and supply chain issues, working to release the new music (yes, vinyl, too), new projects, and new merchandise Dr. John wanted to share with his fans. For now, his Estate and family hope you will enjoy Dr. John’s duet with Jools Holland (available on Jool’s album, “Pianola”). His Estate thanks all, including the DJ’s who played his songs, the promoters, venue owners, record store owners, fellow musicians and tour support, and especially – his fans – who made possible the life he loved to live.

Statement from The Official Estate of Dr. John

The Official Estate of Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr., p/k/a Dr. John, clarifies that the Estate has not authorized the recently announced documentary on the life of Dr. John purportedly to be produced by Impact Artist Productions (and Management) and Radical Media. For clarity, Impact Artist Productions (and Management) does not manage or speak for the Estate, which has its own team with, as Mac would say, a gang and a half of legalizers. The Estate thanks Mac’s fans for their support and assures that the Estate will “Walk On Guilded Splinters” to deliver new music and an officially authorized documentary, to be announced In The Right Place at the right time.

The official Estate website is nitetripper.com.


Dr. John’s In The Right Place inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

29 recordings added to the iconic catalog residing at the GRAMMY Museum

Dr. John’s, In The Right Place inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame


November is Mac Month!

Dr. John’s Spirit Lives On –

On the first day of his birthday month, which New Orleans & Louisiana have declared to be “Mac Month,” Dr. John’s family would like to thank fans and friends around the world for their kind words, messages and memories
celebrating our beloved Mac Rebennack.

The family would like to especially recognize and thank Arthur “Quint” Davis, and the wonderful staff of Festival Productions, Inc., Reggie Toussaint, and the Orpheum Theater for Dr. John’s music memorial and celebration of his work and life.

Thank you to musicians Roland Guerin, Renard Poche, Herman LeBeaux Jr., Afro Williams, Jon Cleary, John “Papa’ Gros, Davell Crawford, Irma Thomas, Deacon John, Robert Daborn, Cyril Neville, Big Chiefs Golden Eagles Monk Boudreaux, FiYiYi Victor Harris, The Wild Squatoulas Howard Miller and White Cloud Hunters “Little” Charles Taylor for performing.

Thank you to speakers Robert Hubbard, Tracy Deruise, B.B. St. Roman,
Shannon McNally, Quint Davis, Grammy Producer Ken Ehrlich and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell for speaking so eloquently at the service.
Our gratitude to the Kinfolk Brass Band, Young Men Olympian Jr. Benevolent Association, New Birth Brass Band, Mardi Gras Indians and Baby Dolls for leading the second line, to the carriage driver and the beautiful team of horses, and to the thousands who marched in celebration.

The family also wishes to recognize and thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support, particularly:

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Inc.
Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home
Bonnie Raitt
Jeffrey Goldring
Norman Dixon, Sr., Annual Second line Parade Fund
Jimmy Buffett
WWOZ
Pyramid Audio Productions, Inc. New Orleans
The Blues Foundation
MusiCares
Colleen Wood

Dr. Ira Padnos
Ashlye Keaton
Aubrey Edwards
Marlon Gusman, Sheriff Orleans Parish Superintendent Shaun Ferguson of the New Orleans Police Department
Blucid Florals
FOHR Media
Erika Goldring
And All Others Who Contributed, and his beloved hometown, the City of New Orleans.


Dr John aka The Night Tripper R.I.P. 6/6/19Celebrating ‘Mac Month’ with Dr. John
http://wgno.com/2017/11/02/celebrating-mac-month-with-dr-john/

Dr. John Day Proclaimed in New Orleans for The Night Tripper’s Birthday
http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2017/11/dr_john_birthday_77_new_orlean.html

Dr. John’s birthday cake (Photo by Doug MacCash, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

 


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