- Dr. John (aka Mac Rebennack - vocals, keyboards

- Triumverate

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Destively Bonnaroo

Company: ATCO

Catalog: SD 7043

Year: 1974

Country/State: Louisiana

Grade (cover/record): VG-/VG

Comments: small cut out notch on side; still in shrink wrap

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4378

Price: $15.00

Cost: $1.00

Following an abbreviated stint with the critically trashed Mike Bloomfield/John Hammond collaboration Triumverate, Dr. John resumed his solo career with 1974's "Destively Bonnaroo".  Reunited with producer Allen Toussaint and The Meters (check out George Porter Jr.'s bass line of "What Comes Around, Goes Around"), material such as the title track, "Quitters Never Win", Stealin'" and "R U 4 Real" (and you thought Prince invented the genre), showcased John at his funkiest.  A thorough delight, it was unfortunate that the set didn't do much commercially, peaking at # 105.  Adding to the Dr.'s ongoing personal and health problems, in spite of respectable sales, ATCO decided to drop him from his recording contract.  (The album was originally released with a cool metallic finish,)

"Destively Bonnaroo" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Quitters Never Win   (Mac Rebennack) - 3:14

2.) Stealin'   (Mac Rebennack) - 3:29

3.) What Comes Around (Goes Around)   (Mac Rebennack) - 3:10

4.) Me - You = Loneliness   (Mac Rebennack) - 3:03

5.) Mos' Scocious   (Mac Rebennack) - 2:45

6.) (Everybody Wanna Get Rich) Rite Away   (Mac Rebennack) - 2:40

(side 2)

1.) Let's make a Bette World  (E. King) - 2:54

2.) R U 4 Real   (Mac Rebennack) - 4:15

3.) Sing Along Song   (Mac Rebennack) - 2:40

4.) Cant Git Enuff   (Mac Rebennack) - 2:58

5.) Go Tell the People  (Allen Toussaint) - 3:03

6.) Destitively Bonnaroo   (J. Hill - Mac Rebennack) - 2:30

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  City Lights

Company: Horizon

Catalog: SP-732

Year: 1978

Country/State: Louisiana

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4378

Price: $20.00

Cost: $1.00

Co-produced by Tommy LiPuma and guitarist Hugh McCracken, 1979's "City Lights" is kind of a transitional effort.  Featuring all original material, including a number of tracks co-written with the legendary Doc Pomus, the set found the Dr. continuing his move towards a more sophisticated sound.  That may not sound encouraging to long time fans, but it's actually a good thing.  Tracks such as 'Dance the Night Away with You' and 'Wild Honey' all sport the Dr.'s instantly recognizable voice and that nifty Crescent City sound nobody else comes close to capturing.  At the same time, tracks such as 'Street Side' and 'Rain' sport a pseudo-jazzy sound (guess that's why A&M's Horizon subsidiary released the album).  

"City Lights" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Dance the Night Away with You   (Doc Pomus - Mac Rebennack) - 4:07

2.) Street Side   (Doc Pomus - Mac Rebennack) - 6:01

3.) Wild Honey   (Guidry - Mac Rebennack) - 4:10

4.) Rain   (Mac Rebennack) - 4:46

(side 2)
1.) Snake Eyes   (Mac Rebennack) - 6:44

2.) Fire of Love   (Mac Rebennack - Robinson) - 3:58

3.) Sonata/He's a Hero   (Doc Pomus - Mac Rebennack) - 5:20

4.) City Lights   (Doc Pomus - Mac Rebennack) - 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Brightest Smile In Town

Company: Clean Cuts

Catalog: CC-707

Year: 1983

Country/State: Louisiana

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4659

Price: $9.00

Cost: $1.00

Recorded in New York and rleased by the Baltimore-base Clean Cuts label, "The Brightest Smile In Town" showcases Rebbenack on his second solo piano collection.  Literally nothing more than Rebbenack at the piano, the album features a diverse mix of originals and obscure covers.  Lots of folks will disagree, but to me the highlights are the up tempo boogie numbers.  'Saddled the Cow' generates more funk than most bands combined, while 'Waiting for a Train' showcases the man's blues roots.  Elsewhere, 'Marie La Veau' recalls the best of his 'voodoo prince' catalog.  Mind you the set isn't perfect.  While Rebbenack is a killer keyboardist, there are simply too many instrumentals for my taste - especially at the end of side two the album starts to drag.  Those flaws aside, there's something to be said for an album that doesn't sport a synthesizer.

"The Brightest Smile In Town" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Saddled the Cow   (Gordon - Taub) - 

2.) Boxcar Boogie (instrumental)   (Mac Rebennack) - 

3.) The Brightest Smile In Town (instrumental)   (Charles - Sherman - Devorsen) - 

4.) Waiting for a Train   (Rogers) - 

5.) Monkey Puzzle (instrumental)  (Black) - 

(side 2)
1.) Average Kind of Guy   (Doc Pomus - Mac Rebennack) - 

2.) Pretty Libby (instrumental)   (Mac Rebennack) - 

3.) Marie La Veau (traditional) - 

4.) Come Rain or Come Shine (instrumental)   (Arlen - Mercer) - 

5.) Come Home New Orleans (instrumental)   (Mac Rebennack) -