Gris Gris

god i love blues

I'd heard of Dr. John, but not heard his music. I'd assumed it was just more white man, southern funky piano, but this album was a lot more interesting than that. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It reminded me of Captain Beefheart to an extent, but with more structure and less weirdness.

Album 571 of 1001 Dr. John - Gris Gris (1968) Rating : 4 / 5 Love these previously unknown great listens that pop up. This was a fun album. Something a bit different is always welcome. Unique is good. Described as Blues/Funk/Jazz. Recommend.

Short and weird. I loved Jump Steady but it has more of a Dr Seuss vibe than Dr John. I’m definitely going to check out more of his work, he’s a fascinating character.

Very trippy. Enjoyed

What a strange album. But in a very good way.

I've never used an illegal drug in my life, but this album made me want to drop some acid, and slowly shake my ass in a groovy motion. What a psychedelic, groovy, fun album. Favorite Song: "I Walk On Guilded Splinters".

mucho mejor de lo q esperaba listo para ir a nueva orleans a cazar chamanes voodoo

This sounded sleazy - if music can sound like that - but it was an interesting listen with unique sounds and arrangements. Good for a small bar that is not up to cleanliness standards. Stand-out: Danse Fambeaux

Il fait passer par-dessus la couche d’appropriation culturelle, mais j’ai beaucoup aimé cet album, d’une grande sobriété dans son foisonnement.

4.0

This is wild! Never listened to his music but it’s pretty awesome. Will come back to this I guess.

Gravelly, both lyrically and dirtily so. Swampy, if that can be a thing. The background vocals a delight, a nice tonal counterpoint to the mostly monotonic talk-song of "Dr. John." The echoey repetitiveness is hypnotic, with a steady percussion assist. I had no idea this could be so engaging. At only 33 minutes, I had to listen twice. Didn't, but I think taking mushrooms to this might be pretty fun.

Loved the vibe.

Dr. John is a favorite of mine. I love New Orleans jazz piano with a bluesy rock feel. This is not my favorite of his but probably the first one I heard when I was a kid; thanks to my older siblings.

Makes me think about voodoo, funerals and Halloween.

Yeah, this is sweet, and I was happy to return to it as it's been decades since I gave this a spin. I love how atmospheric it is. Not every song works, but enough of them do that it transports me to a gumbo joint in NOLA. That last tune is transcendent.

I love Dr John, I got see him live a few years before he died and he was still on great form. Like the Mingus album on this list, the album is better enjoyed as an atmospheric experience rather than a collection of songs.

Was expecting country joe and the fish type stuff, instead was pleasantly surprised by some proper out their psychedelia It’s like sitting in a cabin in a swamp, stoned, while a bunch of dirty hippies perform some cracker voodoo rituals

Gris-Gris is the first album from Dr. John, a character created by musician Mac Rebennack. Dr. John makes New Orleans music - a combination of funk, R&B, and creole folk traditions. Dr. John is named after a historic voodoo doctor, and his music is imbued with folk mysticism. At its release, Gris-Gris received little critical or commercial attention. As Dr. John became successful later in his career, critical consensus about the album has improved remarkably. His songs present an interesting mix of styles, a swampy blues that sounds like New Orleans.

La música de Dr. John está íntimamente ligada a la ciudad de Nueva Orleans y su tradición socio-cultural. Una mezcla de blues tradicional, jazz, funk y R&B, estilos cultivados en la urbe del Misisipi, pero llevada a nuevas formas con las atmósferas creadas en torno al vudú. De nombre real Malcolm John Rebennack creo un personaje, curandero de vudú, y grabó éste, su primer disco, con el apelativo Dr. John the Night Tripper. Sin serlo puramente, el disco tiene una cierta esencia psicodélica y hoy sigue trasmitiendo un aura de misterio y ceremonia nocturna. Las letras mezclan el francés criollo y la jerga autóctona en inglés. Sorprende y deja claras sus intenciones desde el primer tema "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya". Una historia en la que Dr. John se presenta como el "viajero nocturno" acompañado de mandolinas reverberantes, tambores, armónica y cuerdas que juegan entre el soul y el canto de ida y vuelta propio del gospel. Los ritmos ceremoniales marcan el sonido de "Danse Kalinda Boom". El funk de "Jump Sturdy" suena aparentemente convencional, pero subyace un ligero toque a vodevil que de la canción un pequeña delicia antes de llegar al final del disco con los casi ocho minutos de "I Walk on Gilded Splinters". Es el tema que más me gusta del disco. Su fusión de blues, funk y R&B hechiza a partir de un ritmo hipnótico y sensual, concentrando el espíritu de la ciudad de Nueva Orleans y la tradición del vudú.

Enjoyed it, might give it another listen

One of those albums that I'm sure was designed with AM radio in mind so that the songs could retain mystique as being out-of-world, out-of-time transmissions that would haunt you in the middle of the night and basically disappear in a puff of smoke. If Dr. John meant nothing to you before this record, he will surely mean something now. Indelible and beguiling, his 1968 debut record 'Gris-Gris' is a bubbling witches' cauldron of New Orleans R&B with touches of zydeco and proto-freak folk. The opening track "Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya" is an introduction to the mind and persona of Dr. John (a real voodoo witch doctor in New Orleans by way of Haiti) complete with a cavern-like atmosphere of shrill mandolin and a warbling electric guitar that sounds more like a swampy mosquito buzz swerving around your orbit. "Danse Kalinda Da Boom" opens with a sudden pounding percussive sequence, like a knock on a wooden door, in order to usher in a wordless yet hypnotic chant interlaced with a spidery mandolin and organ. The two songs in succession make the enduring impact of "Mama Roux" so strong, like drinking something to settle your stomach. A genuinely beautiful organ accompaniment with a breezy "chica chica, chica chica" from the backing vocalists, a song meant for tender and intimate sway. The second side is where things get even more loose, with smoky saxophones and extended psychedelic descents, especially on the final track "I Walk On Gilded Splinters." One of those album covers that look exactly how the record sounds: X-rated New Orleans mixed with Giallo red lighting in a dark swamp straight on Dr. John who is more spirit than man. A-

That's why I like the app so much, because I discover musicians and albums like this. Wikipedia: "Dr. John... the most important and almost the only representative of voodoo rock" and in my opinion also the best! 😅 I love it! My favorites are "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya" and "I walk on Guilded Splinters".

Actually added a few songs to my liked songs playlist. Some sounded real exotic

koditon paskianen hörhö hullu päästettiin studioon valloileen otti eka housut pois sitten teki tämän köyhä kulkurimies.. tohtori hah.. ironiaa... tappanut enemmän ihmisiä kuin parantanut.. noh annetaans huomiota sitte... katotaan silmiin sitte... juna-asema mies puhuu sinulle katso aina silmiin... pullitetaan sitte huumausainerahastoa miehen sitte ok.... MITÄ HÄN SELITTTÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ? MITÄ HÄN SELITTÄÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ=======????? sanakirja.org if you need translations. (soulful ablum) danse kalinda ba doom

I enjoyed this quite a bit. It's got that weird late sixties radio DJ feel. Nothing much to say except it was a cool sounding record.

The only bad thing out of New Orleans is the plane home.

The opening track totally dragged me in and the last track really stuck the landing. In between were some highlights, but I got a bit lost in the weeds there I think.

Not what I was expecting. Was I thinking of Dr. Hook?

Very interesting, trippy, 60s New Orleans sound that I am glad to have listened to. Cool!

Psychedelic voodoo sound, not what I expected. Pretty cool

This was quite interesting.

Never heard this before. Wow. I expected an album with Louisiana roots, but this is much more than I expected. He really went full-bore into the particular vision of this album. It sounds like you just stepped into a secret religious ceremony. I really like it. It sets such a specific tone and feeling and provides a nice survey of Louisiana music. "A la Gris-Gris, calimbo-calimbo"

Didn’t think I’d love this but I kinda do. This has a perfect balance of structural yet wandering elements. Every song also retains their own identity. Liked it.

I surprisingly really enjoyed this album. Great sound.

Quite a contrast between this and most of what I've been listening to in this collection. I've never heard of Dr. John (the night tripper), nor Mac Rebennack, nor anything from this album, so it's all new to me, which is always a hopeful positive. And I enjoyed more of it than I ever would have guessed--my least favorite tracks were "Mama roux" and "Jump Sturdy" (mainly because they didn't fit well with the rest of the album), and my favorite is probably "Danse fambeaux". I'm kind of reminded of some of Tom Waits' material--mainly the gritty voice, the atmospheric experimental sound, and the occasional spoken-word presentation--but I'm not sure there's all that much connection between Dr. John and much else, for good and bad. But I definitely enjoyed the almost immersive experience of the album (even down to the bizarre liner notes, detailed in the Wikpedia entry), even if I'm also quite happy not to live anywhere near whatever inspired Dr. John and his New Orleans entourage.

Weird. 4 stars.

Surprised me - I was expecting a load of creole gumbo piano nonsense, not some weird voodoo tone poem Excellent just for being so fucking different

Good one

Much better than what I remembered. Great atmosphere, sounds like a Tom Waits from the South at times, how love how weird and nocturnal this album is.

Never been a big NOLA music guy but this was pretty good

NOLA legend

I first heard of Dr John through Paul Wellers cover of I Walk On Guilded Splinters which i have live so I dug a bit deeper into Dr John to find I loved his version. This Album is spooky, atmospheric, Jazzy Bluesy & funky all in one of might take a bit of getting used to buy in the end it is well worth it.

1. 7 2. 7.5 3. 9 4. 8.5 5. 6.5 6. 8 7. 8.5 7.86/10 3.93/5

Closer to a 4.5 - really loved this, there were some wild, psychedelic sounds happening. Would love to do mushrooms and listen to this while walking in a forest or something. Dr John seemed like a pretty interesting dude. I wanna go to New Orleans so bad!!!

I really liked this album in high school and haven't revisited it in a long time... its really great! what a delight

3.5

Great vibe on this

Fells like a longer album, because it’s so musically dense. Really good.

freaky weird stuff here. Enjoyable goofieness

Have to be one of the godfathers of funk

Atmosfera Vodoo bellissima, sembra di stare nella palude de La Principessa e il Ranocchio Ha spaccato

Dr. John has created a world to live in, and this is the first window ever to peek inside it. I can hear how this has influenced some artists I like, such as Mr. Bungle, or at least, that's the feel I get.

This album is good. I enjoyed it and I didn't know we had some of the Tom Waits sound back then. Cool shit. 3.75/5

Okay, I get the Dr. John hype now. A-

Voodoo, gruselig. Hat was.

I liked the music, but man is that cover horrible, what even is that font

Feels like swampy, sexy, dangerous Louisiana!

Oh man, what the hell is this?? Tagged only as a "rock" album, and given that it's 1968, I assumed it would be some more psych rock stuff we've heard dozens of times now. But this one's very different, it's like some bayou blues and jazz mixed with psych rock elements. Never heard of Dr. John or his gris-gris before but that's a shame, this guy is wild. He's doing a voodoo doctor character, it's awesome. This is EXACTLY the kind of album that I'm glad I listened to before I died, kicking the bucket before taking this in would've been a travesty. Favorite tracks: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, Danse Kalinda Ba Boom, Danse Fambeaux, Croker Courtbullion, I Walk on Guilded Splinters. Album art: Again, had me expecting typical psych rock stuff. Very creepy image of this guy Dr. John, and it took me a few looks to notice that his picture is a combination of a profile shot and a headshot, really cool effect. Love the font with the "text box" border still there, too. 4.5/5

One reviewer said it "sounds like a post-midnight ceremony recorded in the bayou swamp". I stealing this as I really can't think of a better way to put it. The blend of New Orleans styles with psychedelia is utterly unique, though perhaps only appealing to a niche audience. It's bizarre and haunting, somewhat hard to listen to but very deserving of a chance. 'Gris Gris' is wonderfully experimental and daring.

Definitely unique. I feel like the one issue I have here is that it's at certain points more style than substance, but who am I to judge? It's weird, it's fun, it's mood music. If that mood is "taking an edible and wandering through a New Orleans swamp". Favorite tracks: "Danse Kalinda Da Boom", "Danse Fambeaux", "I Walk On Guided Splinters"

Interesting vibe

inventive, trippy, fun. Funkier and more mellow than I was expecting. Will be exploring more of his stuff.

It should be a zero for the album cover alone. It's so bad, it's almost good, I have no idea what is happening there. As for the actual content, it was surprisingly okay! Very nice atmosphere, quite scant instrumentation, great choir, aggressively bad vocal. But I can't deny, it has something magical, really nice record.

I REALLY enjoyed this! Wasn’t sure what to think at first, but I ended up listening to it like 3 times through. Maybe more of a “mood piece” than a traditional album; it’s like listening to a haunted house. Which I love. Going in the “spooky music” canon. Should revisit this album in the Halloween season! Also this guy is so neat he inspired a Muppet!!

I don’t know why l like Dr. John as much as I do. I’ve always really liked that Right Place song a lot. Excited to hear a whole album. Really like Mama Roux and Gilded Splinters. Really cool.

At first I thought this was rubbish but after further listening I got intrigued and played it several times in a row (it's quite short, that helps). Conclusion: very interesting album, best track at the end.

Super interesting and unique sound. Probably the closest thing I've heard to Tom Waits.

"Singt" wie Tom Waits, war aber früher?

Hey, something interesting and unique. This was a pretty fun groove

An album where you just hear the Voodoo creeping out of the New Orleans swamps. Slowly.

What a delightfully weird, psychedelic record this is! It made me feel like I was in one of those cheesy, technicolor films from the early 70s where the main characters from the "big city" get stuck in the creepy Nawlins bayou somehow and encounter a weird dude who leads them through the voodoo wilderness to eventual safety. Some of Gris Gris' weirdness could have been shortened up a bit in spots (Croker Courtbullion clocks in at 5:59 and would have been much more enjoyable if it ended 2-3 minutes earlier instead of just filling that time with a variety of goofy noises and jazz flute scatting). Jump Sturdy fixes this and gives us a fun ditty that is less than 3 minutes. Still, I did enjoy listening to Gris Gris all the way through and am happy that Dr. John went on to have a respectable career after this debut album. Dammit, now I'm craving some gumbo! Wikipedia factoids: *The album introduced (Mac) Rebennack's Dr. John character, inspired by a reputed 19th-century voodoo doctor. The style of Gris-Gris is a hybrid of New Orleans R&B and psychedelia. It was recorded in California, albeit with several native New Orleans musicians. *Gris-Gris was released in 1968 on Atco Records, a sub-label of Atlantic Records. Atlantic Records president Ahmet Ertegun was reluctant to release the record at first, exclaiming, "How can we market this boogaloo crap?" Standouts: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, Danse Kalinda Ba Doom, Mama Roux, Jump Sturdy, I Walk On Guilded Splinters

Very good end 60ies!

Interesting stuff, doesn't really fit any genre I knew until then. Strange at first, but it grows with every Listen.

icon

good stuff. weird. is captain beefheart = dr. john?

I know a good amount of Dr John's later work (his epic cameo in The Last Waltz cemented his place in my brain at a young age) but I have never listened to one of his albums. I do love to talk/sing in his voice. This is a 33 minute voodoo ritual. I was expecting more r&b "right place" vibes, so I was very surprised by this swampy spooky NOLA acid jazz situation.

This was actually so much fun

Hypnotic and just fantastic. 33minutes and not one more. Straight to the point. Loved it.

Not polished. Obviously a drug album. Percussion is interesting, syncopated, and panned back and forth. Grungy sounding in a great way. A bit of a manic groove. Mellow laid back sometimes, and frantic at others. Menacing beats and hypnotic grooves.

Had no idea.

Haunting and trippy with cool percussion

So that's where Gulided Splinters came from.

Love the vibe of this album.

Yea good.

This is pretty weird. I like gris gris gumbo ya and jump sturdy so far to an extent that. I’d listen to it again

Dr. John captures the spooky voodoo culture of New Orleans into a fun record that blends swamp blues with funk and psychedelia. These songs aren't structured but rather capture a vibrant lively atmosphere with crowds chanting and dancing, picking up random instruments, and jamming together. It's the kind of stuff that shouldn't work but sounds intriguing and accessible with the same appeal as jam improvisations. Lots of funny instruments that evoke all sorts of mysterious and enchanting vibes. Closest person I can compare it to is the hillbilly psych rock style of Captain Beefheart. Solid record all the way through. We have a pop hit "Mama Roux" and the exact opposite with the ambient "Croker Courtbullion." Good diversity and pretty short too; every track has something to offer. Takes some time to listen to, and the quality is a bit rough for 1968, but it adds to the vibes.

Pourquoi tout est bien je comprends pas

really cool. never would have heard or listened if not for this site!

Mooie mengeling van new orleans blues en psych rock

Wow. An authentic, memorable, well-produced psychedelic album from this era. Not often I'm this lucky.

Never heard it before. I knew Dr. John played some kind of blues. I'm usually not a big fan of blues, so I always ignored him. What a shame. I didn't expect it to sound anything like this. Mysterious, psychedelic, ominous. I like it. Even though some songs are too long. Favorite song: Danse Kalinda Ba Doom.

Funny guy, this Dr. John. Fun music too

Coolt, fräscht och lite freaky

Tämä on täyttä kusetusta, ja siksi toimivaa. Koska "voodoo"-teema on puhdasta pintaa, se luo hyväksyttävän tunteen syvyydestä. Eikä musiikkikaan huonoa ole: biisit jäävät soimaan päähän, ja viimeinen on totaalinen klassikko. Janoitsen jopa jamien kuulemista uudelleen. Tell that to your Spy Boy.

"GRIS-gris" is the debut album by American musician Dr. John (aka Mac Rebennack). Some investigating genres listed for this one: New Orleans R&B, pyschedelic funk, swamp, swamp blues, swamp rock and pyschedelic rock. The album was recorded in LA with New Orleans musicians and was produced by Harold Battiste who also played bass, clarinet and percussion. The album title is a name for a kind of talisman and the Dr. John character was inspired by a reputed 19th century Voodoo doctor. The album failed to chart upon its release but was more recognized by critics when it was released CD decades later. A guitar moaning and Dr. John's deep growl open "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya." A piano comes in and the song moves along at a crawling speed. Creepy is word that comes to mind and why wouldn't it as we are introduced to Dr. John as creeping down the Bayou. It had been awhile since I heard the term "All y'all" used. "Mama Roux" has almost a bossa nova/Carribean beat. The female backing vocals are a highlight of this song and throughout this album. The percussion gets more complex but there's still a laid back vibe. "Croker Courtbullion" is mostly instrumental and a song written by Battiste. Multple percussion, congas, clarinet, flute, piano. Very improvisational. Some background chanting. The album closes with "I Walk On Guilded Splinters." This is very hypnotic and seductive in an evil way. Dr. John and the backing vocals repeating "Til I Burn Up." Heavy percussion, more clarinet, a sax and sparse guitar notes. It's based on a Voodoo church song and the high point of the album. I now understand swamp rock; this is a stew of a lot: blues, funk, Caribbean, bossa nova, soul and definitely pyschedelic. The growl of Dr. John works with the female backing vocals. The Voodoo and creepiness adds to the atmosphere. I enjoyed this album and like some of Dr. John's later work too. Recommended for anyone interested in the genres previously mentioned.

Very New Orléans, but plenty of light and shade in there too. Drags a wee bit, just until i tuned my ear into his drawl. Really interesting as a document of where such an important artist started out. I really liked this, and expect more from him later in the list

This was a pretty great record, had never heard about it or Dr John before but it had a nice chill vibe

Saw Dr John not long before he passed and what an excellent show. The groundwork is here in this album which at times is just great.

Hell ya good shit here. gumbo ya ya and mama roux are so sick. Kinda reminds of 'spill the wine' song. love that one

This is a very unique album. Many of the tracks had a great style, but some of them were more typical 60s Prog rock.

Interesting, but not captivating. I may have just had a lot going on while listening, but this one just isn’t memorable.

This is so unique and niche I can't help but like it. I can see where Tom Waits got some of his ideas from.....

Love me a good spooky, voodooy psychedelic rock album. It really is quite different from anything else I've heard before, and some really fun quirky songs throughout. 7/10

Listened Before? No First Impression: the album art is fucking dope. Album opens on a weirdly spacious and wandering cajun(?) sounding number with crusty spoken vocals and a backing choir. Creates a pretty cool atmosphere and feels in a common vein to G. Love. Danse Kalinda drops the atmospheric vibes in favor of a spiritual chant of sorts with percussion, mandalin, and a foreign chorus. Mama Roux brings back Dr. John to the front and center with a more commonly structured tune. Danse Fambeaux brings that mandolin back in. Its brightness pairs well against his rough vocals. Really enjoy the vocal layering in the mix; very cool song. No idea what playlist I would put this in, but this is a standout for sure. Crocker Courtbullion is another fine display of quality mixing. Very cool song that taps into the same elements put on display elsewhere. This one is a bit freer in structure and has a jazzy/psychedelic feel about it. Almost feels like it would fit in alongside Interstellar Overdrive by PF. I will say that I had no expectations going into this album and it exceeded everything. This was an interesting ride through space and time. The album presents a cohesive environment that is part voodoo, part psychedelia and is all interesting. Dr. John taps into a few tricks over and over and does them effectively. The biggest thing for me, however, was the production quality. This album has amazing mixing that separates the many instrumental and vocal layers, while giving a vibe that you are physically in the room (or swamp) where this is being recorded. This was fantastic and I will definitely come back. The whole back half is fire. High 4 / 5 for me. Added to Library? Yes Songs Added to Playlists:

Really enjoyed the bluesy psychedelia of this. Had aspects of blues, jazz, rock, and funk all in one. Never have gotten into Dr. John a whole lot I just know he passed away a few years ago and The Nude Party covered a song by him (Somebody Tryna Hoodoo Me). Will be listening to more Dr. John

A perfect spooky album to get in Spooktober. Interesting sound, good concept, some memorable songs to keep you coming back (especially with substances in hand)

Psychedelic voodoo shit. The Manson family side of the 60s. 4.3

There are some tracks I love and a few that fall flat but this is such a cool debut album.

Pulls off the spooky vibe in a gratifyingly wierd manner. These days you have give at least some contemplation to a white artist pulling a persona out of a decidedly non-white culture, and a deeply stereotyped one at that. Given his deep New Orleans roots and diverse collaborators though I think it gets a pass.

Some really great blues/jazz from a legend.

eclectic, raucous, musty, sometimes grimy, occasionally spooky, kinda psychedelic. glad it doesn't overstay its welcome! 4.5/5

agréablement surpris. ça ne ressemble à pas grand chose d'autre et c'est tant mieux

Entregou 33 minutos de um clima satisfatório.

It's hard not to mention Tom Waits after playing this. Clearly this was an influence on work like Bone Machine. This started off well, the loping, lopsided march sounding great against Dr John's voice. And the production is great - just loose enough and echoing in a way that adds mystery. Love the backing vocals on the opening track especially. it wanders a bit towards the end - the players all sounding like they were perhaps a bit 'refreshed' and the formless Croker lost me - and the flow - a little. It rallied again with Splinters, though. One extra star for the cover, which I love.

Ooh, swampy voodoo vibes. I like! A bit different to the Dr John I heard on Later with Jools, and also a bit different to anything the generator has churned out so far. Spooky, yet groovy.

Solid psychedelic rock that I had never heard. Dig it. 🤙🏽

Nice discovery thanks to 1001. Gonna listen to more Dr John. Really enjoyed this album, very varied, like his Tom Waits like singing in Jump Sturdylike, the bluesy opener and the weird rhythm in Croker Courtbullion)

Sounds like this man just rolled out of a swamp and started hitting some pans. I love it

Delta force.

Great debut for a Cajun legend.

Genres: New Orleans R&B, psychedelic funk, swamp blues, swamp rock, psychedelic rock Formed: a session musician from the late 1950 Run time: 7 songs, 33 min, 20 sec Dr. John was a persona created by Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. for his old friend Ronnie Barron. It is based on the life of Dr. John, a Senegalese prince, conjure man, herb doctor, and spiritual healer who came to New Orleans from Haiti. Barron ultimately didn’t front the group and Rebennack took the role and the stage name. Rebennack performed as a musician in his early teens and was hired as a record producer at 16. He started his musical career in New Orleans but relocated to L.A. following a prison sentence for drug offences (supply and use). The album reflects the music of New Orleans and it’s an eclectic mix, covering love, drugs and the occult. If like me, you like a tune with a tale, then you will lovethis album. The least played track has over 460k plays on Spotify. Three tracks have over 1M plays. The most popular track, track 7, “I Walk on Guilded Splinters” has been covered by multiple artists over the years. My favourite is track 3, "Mama Roux". I Loved the feel of the song, particularly the contrast of voices between Dr. John and the female backing singer. Listen Again?: Probably not. I will seek the Best of.. My Rating: ****

Simultaneously spooky and breezy, a concept album based around a voodoo doctor, recorded by a collective of New Orleans musicians living in L.A. Clearly an influence on Tom Waits, but otherwise not like anything I've heard before. Psychedelic R&B with elements of jazz, medieval, and other weird sounds. A really cool record. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Mama Roux Date listened: 11/06/23

Such a vibe. You can feel the bayou oozing out of ever part of this record. This will be another great discovery from this project that I might trying buying on vinyl. 4.5/5

Dr. John (rest in peace) was one weird dude. But his weirdness helped reintroduce people to the world of New Orleans R&B, not heard since the days of Little Richard. Here, he puts a psychedelic edge on the sound and pulls from other Louisiana genres such as swamp rock and zydeco. The end result is a smokey, captivating experience of sound. Of course it's extremely weird. If you're eagle-eared, you might recognized some influence on Tom Waits' sound. It is eternally unique and expertly plays with it's influences in ways that creates a whole new sound.

Hmmmmmm interesting, idk if it’s my taste but it is good and very interesting.

A bit more rootsy/raw than I was expecting, just based on the material of Dr. John that I do know, but I liked it! It's like a cosmic gumbo. 4 stars.

Overall this one was pretty good! It gave ummagumma vibes and early pink floyd randomness and was a fun and enjoyable album for sure. It definitely got a little weird but I'm all for it!

KOULUKIUSAAJAT STNA HETI KUN ON ERILAISTA MUSIIKKIA... 1968 SILLON EI PALJOA ODOTETA.... ODOTETAAN JOTAIN POP PASKAA TAAS.... Mutta ei ollu oinein miellekäs albumi toi iloa päivään.. Kiitos ylläpidolle.. Aina jaksa paskaa... kuunnella...

Muy psicodélico y misterioso

ok

In a deep dark shack in a deep dark wood, there’s a deep dark growl over deep dark grooves. Who is this strange creature, unknown to me until today? Enter Dr. John, rolling in like an outcast from an old medicine show. The real Dr. John was a Senegalese prince and spiritual healer, who brought voodoo magic to New Orleans in the 1800s. A century later, Mac Rebennack was fascinated by this history, and offered the “Dr. John” persona to a bandmate, later assuming it himself. Inspired homage to Rebennack’s hometown of New Orleans and its cultural history, or a walking minstrel show? Either way, the stage was set for an enticing debut album, named after- what else- voodoo luck bringing amulets: “Gris Gris”. I didn’t know any of this before today, and had no clue what to expect from this debut. However, I certainly didn’t expect a New Orleans psychedelic-blues-swamp-rock mutation. It’s a fascinating murky cesspool of styles and influences: with his dried-up snarl, low bluesy shuffles, and hodge-podge of instrumentation, Dr. John somewhat foreshadows the 80’s era of Tom Waits. Praise of the highest order. Right from the muted, sinister opening, “Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya”, this is a quietly captivating album. Soft plodding percussion and a crawling groove underscores the titular refrain, until it becomes a mantra; a command; a way of life. “Dance Kalimba Ba Doom” is more of a diversion from New Orleans, ostensibly influenced by traditional west-African music, with a whole kitchen sink of percussion, a rapid triplet rhythm, and chanting galore. “Mama Roux” shows a subtle bossa-nova flavour, “Jump Sturdy” is a straightforward folk-blues blend, while I’d really struggle to pin down the chief influences going on in “Dance Fambeaux” and “Croker Courtbullion”. Finally, the closer “I Walk on Guilded Splinters” is mesmerising, returning to the hypnotic mystery of the opening track with a chant to keep us hooked through the eight minute runtime. It’s not as wildly inventive as it might have been, often feels a little too slapdash (“Croker Courtbullion” especially) and the recording quality is rudimentary. But I’m always excited when the 1001 Albums list throws in a treat like this: something I’ve never heard of before, have zero preconceptions of, yet I finish it knowing I’m going to keep listening for a long time afterwards. Today, that’s “Gris Gris”. Bravo.

What. the fuck. This album is so cool! I'm kicking myself for not having listened to Dr. John before, despite having heard of him. The entire album is spooky and very atmospheric. It makes me feel like I am on a boat slooooooowly sailing down the bayou, surveying everything around me. Love it.

I loved this!!! Never heard of Dr John but listening to this album was v fun! Lots of interesting vocals, sounds which seem to come from different cultural backgrounds, the conga drums on the last track - absolutely LOVE, really nice jazzy feel but so so interesting and fun. Mama Roux stood out to me but also it was really punchy as a whole album at 33 mins, love that, it keeps my interest and enjoyment then the whole way through.

I quite liked this. It was mad, and fun.

Bluesy tribal groovy weird southern rock

Really cool mix of New Orleans R&B and psych rock. I'm surprised I've never listened to this, it's definitely the type of thing I enjoy.

The world “Dr. John” wants to create fully realizes itself as it bends your ears in any way it pleases through his avant-garde New Orleans compositions. Rating: 8/10

Most interesting listen yet. Smoky bluesy Cajun flavor that gets under your skin.

Album presque shamanic Instrumentale super Chant parfois un peu ennuyeux Mais ensemble réussi

PREFS : Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, Danse Kalinda Ba Doom, Croker Courtbullion, Jump Sturdy, I Walk on Guilded Splinters MOINS PREF : Danse Fambeaux

Reminds me of my time down in the bayou. But for real, this is so insane that it’s good. Not something I’d reach for often but something everyone should listen to.

Worth it just for Walk on Guilded Splinters

This album would be perfect to listen to if you ever found yourself lost in the swamps of Louisiana

Wow this was cool

Groovy, dark and druggy, right up one's alley. One was suspicious about Dr. John's later schtick, its authenticity, but this original article is that and fully vintage trippy. bayou psychedelia, real voodoo vibes and grooves here.

Interesting. Creole blues.

I really enjoyed this in a middle era Tom Waits kind of way. Soulful and utterly insane in the best of all possible ways.

Love his voice. Music is kinda like African 70s music. Might be best to listen when high

Dr. John’s southern rock, blues, groove music is authentic and energetic. This record is tight and thoughtful and fun. I liked it mighty biggly.

Mecopó mecopó

A heady dose of New Orleans, a mix of R&B and psychedelia. Probably even better when under the influence.

Some seriously atmospheric voodoo jive here, plenty dark and vaguely haunting. The call-response and groovy, hushed drumming on “Walk on Gilded Splinters” is the highlight. Vintage and authentic.

Rock pantanós i enfebrit, amb multitud de textures provinents dels ritmes de Nova Orleans, sons africans i tot plegat executat amb maestria. Un disc per emmarcar

Very Tom Waits-y. Interesting album. Loved the music and vocals. Would listen to again.

Weird funky psychedelic vibes with a whiff of exotic menace. What's not to like?

Very enjoyable.

It's a bit "out there" - but full of good old funky psychedelic vibes.

Super cool. Made me feel like I was killing a chicken in a swamp.

this album makes me think of the voodoo stuff going on in Live and Let Die, the film obviously, not the Macca soundtrack. that's a good thing. he does a really good job of selling me whatever drugs it is he's selling, i would like some please.

In the middle of the night I awaken to find a pack of wolves feasting on the remains of my father. Rather than panic and try to scare them off, I put this record on and dance. I dance so vigorously that the wolves stop eating my dad and begin tapping their feet to the rhythm. Soon Kevin Costner turns up. He smiles.

Really cool and far out record.

Blues staple with funky influence - good for a day of home projects or a backyard jaunt.

Loose, weird, bluesy and experimental. It’s got an energy all it’s own. “Croker Courtbullion” sounds like a broadcast from another world, or maybe a recording from someone’s dream. Hearing his growling, half-spoken delivery, it’s pretty clear we wouldn’t have Tom Waits without Dr. John. Highlights: “Mama Roux,” “Danse Fambeaux,” “Jump Sturdy,” “I Walk on Guilded Splinters”

I enjoyed this - had it on in the background whilst doing some work. Definitely outside of what I usually listen to!

Genre: New Orleans R&B 4/5 Another extreme surprise, Dr. John's Gris-Gris IS a haunting, yet highly rewarding musical experience. From its true and honest New Orleans musical roots, to its near-Captain Beefheart style vocals, to its psychedelic arrangements, Gris-Gris continued to excite me as it progressed through its tracklist. The intro, Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, an intense and mysterious tale of voodoo, featuring growling vocals from Dr. John himself, sets the tone for a real musical treat that normally wouldn't be on my radar. Songs like Danse Kalinda Ba Doom and Croker Courtbullion are tribal trips through the bayous of Louisiana, true tributes to the indigenous history of the area. The album flows beautifully through different soul and R&B backdrops, each just as interesting as the last. The outro, I Walk on Guilded Splinters, is an 8-minute swamp rock jam, ending the album on a musical high note. I was not expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did, but this one will easily slide into the spooky albums list for Halloween play. Very interesting, and very good.

Hard for me to describe on my own. Luckily Wikipedia has my back! Some really interesting psychedelic funk/New Orleans R&B. Can't say I've ever listened to an album quite like this one, and for that I'm grateful that this came my way. Weird and sometimes creepy to listen to, it was a unique experience that left me smiling.

Reminds me of First Utterance, or Exuma. Had no idea this existed, very very happy I now do.

Funk, soul, and jazz all combined to make the Mardi Gras sound. Dr. John's first album is a fun trek down the Mardi Gras wormhole, this is such a great album. 4/5.

That was quite entertaining, not as weird as I thought.

Dr. John on jäänyt mun kohdalla aina kuuntelematta. Nyt on tämäkin korjattu. Hyvää psykedeliaa ja ihme vaihtoehtobluesii. Tätä varmaan kannattais oikeesti kuunnella sienissä. Pysyy musta loppuun asti kiinnostavana musana jossa on lainattu paljon vanhaa, mutta on samalla myös luotu aika paljon uutta. En oo ehkä niin suuri psykerockdiggari että tää nousis kärkikahinoihin omien levyjen suhteen, mutta kyllä tää neljän pongon arvoinen on. Hieno. Täytyy tutustua artistin muihinkin levyihin. 4/5

What an interesting combination of genres. An enjoyable listen that surprised me a couple times

One crazy spicy gumbo. Love it.

You've got to love the late 60s. A wacky, brilliant little treasure like this could never get made today. This is really a singular kind of album from a singular artist. It's got a laid back and chill style of delivery but with a totally trippy and spooky psychedelic vibe. It's fascinating. Fave Songs: I Walk on Guilded Splinters, Mama Roux, Danse Kalinda Ba Doom, Jump Sturdy

Very very interesting. As a listener, I couldn't always predict what was coming next, but it always made sense. 3.5, but close enough to a 4.

Interesting stuff, not something I would have ever listened to outside of this.

Well that was a religious experience. It's extremely weird, but I think that's part of the charm. I like the strange chanting in "Danse Kalinda Ba Doom" and "Croker Courtbullion". Very pleasantly surprised. The first song was confusing and I wasn't sure where the album was going, but I got it after the second song and thoroughly enjoyed the rest.

7/10

It’s fun and mesmerizing. First half was stronger than second half. Track 2 is soo good.

Very novel sounds! Would be a 3 but it was just so damn interesting

A while back I spent a lot of time trying to get a copy of this on vinyl because I had heard it was a great album. I finally got it and really enjoyed it, though something about it feels disjointed or incomplete. I really like the seedy mysticism that Dr John does so well here. Really feels different than much of the popular music of its day.

4/5. Entertaining, and unique especially for ‘68. Dr. John reminds me of Tom Waits

Really funky album! I had no idea this was the sound of old Dr. John. Enjoyed a lot. 4/5

great album. just totally imbued with the sound of voodoo and the swamps. love zydeco and this is way at the top for me.

A light four, enjoyable stuff. 'Swamp rock' describes it pretty well, but there seem to be several genres influencing this

Mjög áhugavert! Swamp Rock - blanda af psychadelic og N'awlins rhythm & blues. Geggjuð plata.

Better than I anticipated

Started rough but once it clicked I was on board to the end.

cool shit. never listened to this before. last track is a jam

I can see why it would be an important album at the time of its release, even if it's not my cup of tea today

241021 11:02 3.5

7/10. Some cool sounds, but nothing to drive me wild.

You can tell so easily that this is a New Orleans album, which I think is really cool. However, I didn't love it much past that sort of atmospheric novelty. 7/10

Questo album c'ha un grosso problema che è forse più evidente in assoluto nella prima traccia e quindi è pure un po' un trauma: l'uso a cazzo di cane del pan. Devo dire che nel '60 ogni tanto c'erano questi guizzi creativi nell'uso del pan che sarebbe stato meglio non concretizzare, ma qua sembra che l'ingegnere che ha fatto il misaggio è cascato sui fader del pan mettendoli a caso e poi ha lasciato così. Detto questo, che me lo dovevo togliere, a me sto album m'ha stregato (ah ah ah ah! ;). Cioè come fai a non innamorarti di questa unione di musica tribale, blues e voodoo? Pezzi preferiti "Danse Kalinda Ba Doom" e "Jump Sturdy" ma in generale tutti mi hanno colpito per originalità e personalità e i versi di animali in "I Walk on Guilded Splinters" sono, come Kate Bush sa bene, il modo più veloce per conquistarmi. Direi che forse è un po' meno di 4, tipo un 3.75, però dopo Robbie Williams me sembra il minimo dare 4 al buon Dr. John.

Schönes Kleinod. Sleazy Beatnik Voodoo flambiert in karribischem Rum und von Devandra Banhart mit gegrillten Hühnerherzen serviert; im Hintergrund checkt schon Gonjasufi ab, was sich hier an Kupfer abstauben lassen könnte. Den Doktor würde ich wohl nur in bestimmten Zuständen ertragen können, mich dann aber erwartungsfroh zitternd in seine behandelnden Hände begeben. Mr. Bungle gibt zuckende 3.8

Exotisch! Darf man sagen, als Vollwestfale, oder? Ich find das ziemlich geil - gleite gerade noch durch "Walk on Guilded Splinters". Zum Glück nur auf Platte, in echt würde mich das viel zu stark ängstigen alles. Super schwül, irre Blicke, jede Menge mir unbekannte Drogen am Start, Magick und Voodoo - weiß man denn, ob's nicht doch wirkt?! Musikalisch zwar nicht immer voll mein Ding, aber für den Headtrip ziemlich perfekt. Machen wir 3,6 draus!

Funky psychedelic music

Pretty psychedelic 70s era funk with a touch of the Louisiana sound. Very cool album. Sets a mood/tone. Not sure how often I would listen recurring.

A pleasant surprise. Really enjoyed it

Love some New Orleans Dr. John. Wasn't his best but still enjoyed it thoroughly.

Interesting

A classic if you grew up in SoCal in the 70s/80s.

Insert Bart high on pure syrup squishy gif. This album rules.

While not the best album that normally would be a 3, the whole character and music fit together perfectly and sold the album. Very creative and unique

3/23 Wild, funky, swampy. Deep in the Bayou. Standout Tracks: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, Danse Kalinda Ba Doom, Croker Courtbullion, I Walk on Guilded Splinters

Interesting

🙂

I liked this. Dark, simmering jazzy-bluesy vibes. Percussion and rhythm section was excellent, vocals were catchy and interesting but not annoying. The animal sounds were a little bit much but overall it was an immersive listening experience that put me deep in the swamps of the South.

3 sterne

Tudo e nada ao mesmo tempo. Ouvi notas de blues, de tarantella, de cumbia… Muito sumo, mas daqueles de concentrado, diluído sabe a pouco Merece um 3 pelo esforço

Meio esquizofrénico, nunca sabes bem o que vai sair a seguir, engraçado

Bizarro, realmente parece que estamos em Nova Orlaes no meio do voodoo todo. Nao sei se me apetece ouvir outra vez, mas o que faz faz bem

The cover (minus the honestly ugly font) really sums up this album. It has a ritualistic, maybe even occult quality. The songs on here are chants that tell stories of magic and fate. This is supported by the instrumentation that manages to create a palpable ceremonial athmosphere. My biggest problem here is Dr. John‘s voice. It‘s nothing special and at parts grating. Just let your amazing background singers take the mic. And stop selling stuff to give to a wife „you can‘t control“ , for heaven‘s sake.

Interesting to say the least.

Interesting. Didn’t hate it but not something I’d listen to regularly.

Gris Gris is a novel blend of styles that should be talked about more but lacks the genius of some other recordings like trout mask

wanted to like it more considering the guy looks like dr. teeth from the muppets, but this was a surprisingly a little dull. found myself like the background singers much more enjoyable to listen to. this is his debut so maybe he gets a little more experimental like how i imagined he would.

It's a vibe. Not my vibe, but it's a vibe

Very interesting atmosphere. It's like i took something before listening lol. Mama Roux and Croker Courtbullion were my standouts. 5.9/10

Decent 3

Took the whole album to appreciate it.

I noticed the sparse arrangement and mixing on this album, yet it's still a warm sounding record. An eclectic mix of funk, R&B and psychedelic makes it stand out more compared to other albums from the same era.

Some quirky voodoo magic music! This was an interesting corner of the music world that I wouldn't have stumbled on myself. I don't see myself coming back but don't regret the trip

Definitely one of the strangest albums I have ever listened to. It sounded like exploring the swamps of Louisiana in the middle of the night. The references to voodoo help create this immersive experience rooted in African culture.

I honestly don't know what to rate this. I don't know if I've heard something like this before, so it was fun to listen to in that regard, and I might listen to it again some of the songs are catchy. But also it felt like it dragged on a little bit (particularly that last song). I keep swapping between a 3 and a 4

Another interesting revelation. It's got a nice swampy vibe and the vocals are often really reminiscent of Iggy Pop in The Stooges or Lou Reed I didn't love it but still an interesting listen Highlights: Danze Fambeaux

Some albums are all about the songs, others about the atmosphere. This is pure atmosphere. Sleepy, swampy grooves. Songs that don’t really go anywhere but just sit there emanating a weird feeling. The whole thing feels stream of consciousness but in a good way

O álbum é interessante. Possui muita variação musical e psicodelia. QoA Adonis New.

It's interesting? Stand-outs - Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya - Mama Roux

Un peu bizarre

I used to live in New Orleans, so I love this vibe. And the marriage with psychedelia is welcome and interesting. Weirdly, though, Dr. John’s vocals are the weakest element. All that whispering, un-sung speech gets old. The music and the background(?) singers make this album what it is.

It's a bit too weird for my taste. It's definitely interesting, but it can grate on me at times.

An interesting history lesson and very much the thing I like to learn about from this list. Love the voice and cultural stew of it all, but not something I would revisit.

I kept expecting to hear lime in the coconut but it’s not the same artist. This was alright.

3.5

Jeg gik meget skeptisk ind men stemningen er faktisk rigtig fed! På vippen til 4

Pretty solid album

Pretty cool but the aura of it kind of disappears after a few songs. I enjoy the vibes though

This was a weird sometimes good album

Bagus, entah kenapa ya pas dengerin lagunya gw ngebayangin jadi ketua suku di sebuah hutan rimba

clear to me that this album influenced many, and that dr. john's unbridled creativity was shining. not a record i would come back to but i am glad it exists

Oh wow. Very strange and strange production. A couple of goodies here.

Weird and fun and cajun

A big, bubbling pot of gumbo with a dash of voodoo.

That was curious and kind of entertaining, and maybe I can see why it would be there, but that doesn't make for an album I'd want to spend time listening to again.

Наркомания.

It's alright.

I listened to this when I went through the Rolling Stones 500 list and I thought it was fine, but didn't really stick to me. I did like Danse Kalinda Ba Doom, that one stood out, but the rest was kinda just there. Cool album cover though!

This album was pretty goofy, I kept laughing at every other song because of how goofy the lyrics were, or some goofy noise that was being made. I appreciated this album for being way out there and also good. Wasn't expecting to find or enjoy goofy music like this but lo, I did. Favorite track was I Walk On Gilded Splinters.

Not as bad as the reviews led me to believe! No a classic by any means and not one I’m like to play again that often, but interesting no the less.

Margt cool í gangi. Fýla soundið og stemninguna en lögin mjög misgóð.

Það var eitthvað í miðjunni sem gekk ekki upp, en annað var mjög áhugavert

interesting listen. Almost good

Cool

I Walk On Guilded Splinters

Gris-gris gumbo ya ya - 3 Danse kalinda ba doom - 2 Mama roux - 4 Danse fambeaux - 3 Croker courtbuillion - 2 Jump sturdy - 4 I walk on guilded splinters - 3

This was a very fun unique style that was enjoyable but unlikely that I would put this on myself.

I’ve listened to this album before. I like Dr. John, got to see him once. This album is interesting but pretty trippy.

pretty cool, sounds like you'd hear it at a bar

I liked the last track more than most of the rest of it. Fine overall, but doubt I will revisit.

This is a super fun and short psychedelic album that definitely won’t over stay its welcome. It’s just wholesome and accessible for those who don’t love psych rock. It’s like an intro course into what you can expect from the genre as a whole. It has a few songs that are longer but nothing crazy long, and it has cool chord progression and at times it even gets pretty funky. Mama Roux is definitely my favorite track on the album (I walk on guilder splinters being a close second). It might not be my favorite psych album and it might not even be my favorite Dr. John album, but I do really appreciate this album for what it is. Not only will I be looking forward to more from Dr. John on this list but I’ll also keep an eye out for this album cause I’d love to own it.

Interesting bluesy album

Not my favourite, but I respect the musicality of the album. Walk on Guilded Nails is the best song

Better than I anticipated.

7/10

Murky voodoo-blues and psychedelic swamp rock built on loose percussion, eerie keyboards, chants, and raspy, incantatory vocals creeps with ritualistic atmosphere. Listening feels like stumbling into a shadowy bayou ceremony where rhythms circle endlessly and voices call from the dark. The result is immersive and distinctive, though its formless drift also feels disorienting.

Also a really inoffensive album to me. Some New Orleans blues type stuff, but generally it's just too vibey and not catchy for my ears (Which is weird to say since I usually like vibey music, but when it comes to blues, I'd like some drive).

Dismissed at the time, by none other than Armet Ertugen, as 'boogaloo crap' it has subsequently been critically reappraised and the Voodoo practising alter ego that was Dr. John became a jazz/blues legend, and a key influence on Jools Holland and such like. I can see that Atlantic would have struggled at the time to market the music but the presence of 'Walk on Gilded Splinters' has given it some renown and subsequent covers by Marsha Hunt the following year and Paul Weller in britpbop days have added to its appeal. Definitely an original fusion of psychedelia and New Orleans R&B.

Gris-Gris Gunbo Ya Ya I Walked on Guilded Splinters

I thought I was in for yet another psychedelic band, but I could not have predicted Dr. John. The music sounds like a lounge group in a Voodoo themed motel, and I mean that in the best possible way. Rock songs vaguely sprinkled over Louisiana seasoned folk instrumentation, with traces of jazz and blues. I love the sense of adventure and willingness to experiment. This is clearly a project that everyone cared about and had a lot of fun making. That said, didn’t really hit me in a meaningful way. I loved being exposed to something new, but I don’t know how often I’d return to Dr. John. Highlights: “Mama Roux”

well, that was something. Bayou music with 60s flair. Not something I'd put on all the time, but enjoyable nonetheless

Interesting but not sure I’d listen again

Oh yeah. This was fun. Not something I'm gonna listen to a million times, but this was fun. 3.5, would buy a cheap copy!

This thing is psychedelic and unique as hell. So much that I find it quite hard to describe it. I even looked up the genres and I found some names I've never heard before, like "New Orleans R&B", "Swamp Rock / Blues" or "Zydeco", which explains why this sounded so unfamiliar. The album starts with "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya", and the first thing that comes to my mind about this song is that the guy sounds like Tom Waits. Since Tom Waits started his career after this album dropped, it should be the way around, but whatever. What I'm trying to say is that he sings with a raspy voice while portraying as a character. In this case, some type of voodoo doctor that is willing to sell you some really weird stuff, as the lyrics implies. When it comes to the music it is incredibly psychedelic, mixing a choir that sounds like the members are stoned, a mandolin, a bottleneck guitar and maybe another weird instrument that got buried in the background, all creating very weird melodies. The second song "Danse Kalinda Ba Boom" is a very upbeat instrumental, as there are no lyrics even though the choir does sing. The song is more normal than previous one, as it feels quite folk-ish and even medieval due to the flute and mandolin, although it feels kind of mysterious. But it is the next track, "Mama Roux", that has a more common sound, as the rhythm has traditional and recognizable patterns that are very infectious, and the voices sound more conventional. However, things get weird once again in "Dense Fambeaux". The choir focuses on repeating the same chants while the mandolin plays and the singer does some strange noises time to time. And if things could not get even more uncommon, the song "Croker Courtbullion" sets a new level of oddness. There are a lot of things here: dissonant guitars, a saxophone, I think there is a banjo, a clarinet, some imitations of animal noises, an instrument that sounds like those organs used so much in Baroque Pop (and that is not credited in the personnel) and much more. What I said about it is that the combination of animal noises and psychedelia made think about "Ummagumma", so anyone who is familiar with that record has a reference of how this thing sounds. Thankfully, "Jump Sturdy" returns to a more "normal" song with a very catchy choir and very soulful performance by the singer while a banjo plays in the background along the percussion. Finally, the record ends with "I Walk on Guilded Splinters" a weird piece that mixes different languages and it is a bit dragging due to it being the longest song, at almost 8 minutes of length, and not being as weird as the others nor as catchy as the more typical sounding ones. In general, I was quite impressed with how weird and unique this sound, but ultimately, I wasn't really blown away by it, maybe because I think there is a lack of charisma or an appealing factor. Still a nice experience.

Not good, not bad

Dr. John is a new discovery for me, so I was looking forward to listening to Gris-Gris today. I actually had to listen to this album twice before forming a proper opinion. On the first listen there was so much going on that it was hard to take it all in. It’s full of variety and difficult to place neatly into a single genre. On the second listen it made a lot more sense and I enjoyed it much more. I really like Dr. John’s unique style of psychedelic funk. The album feels very distinctive and original, and it has aged surprisingly well. My only real negative is the whistling that appears throughout parts of the album. For me it wasn’t really needed and did start to get on my nerves a bit. Favourite tracks: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, Jump Sturdy, and I Walk on Guilded Splinters are all great tunes. Least favourite tracks: Every song feels like it has a place on the album and contributes something to the overall sound. Album artwork: A fairly standard psychedelic late-60s cover, but it fits the music well.

This was odd, but not unpleasant. Would it be something I would listen to again? No.

I feel like I'm walking through the streets of N'oleans, slow as molasses as the humid air violates the senses. RIP Dr. John.

Far off the beaten path. Could be worth coming back to but not towards the top of my list

felt transported to a New Orleans voodoo ritual in the swamp. very unique. spooky psychedelic vibe. great example of why I'm doing this 1001 albums challenge because I'd have never come across it otherwise, let alone listen to it.

Meh

Kinda wonky sounding, but has a few neat psych rock moments. Idk, kinda felt like they were tripping & messing around in the studio.

well

7/10

Deep atmosphere and total commitment to the mystic swamp vibe. It’s memorable as a mood piece, though the songs themselves don’t always stand out on their own.

Had some good parts

I’m really too forgiving of anything that comes from the 60s. This was all over the place, but I’ve heard songs from Dr. John that are “better” than this, so I know how talented he is. “Jump Sturdy” and “I Walk On Guilded Splinters” are fantastic tracks, though.

Day 201 Only vaguely knew of Dr John through that Perfect Day cover he was part of in the 90s. This was an album of 2 halves in that really liked a few of the songs whilst others like Croker Courtboullion I kinda hated Highlights Mama Roux Jump Sturdy I walk on Gilded Splinters

this was the most interesting album ive listened to in the way it uses different sounds. pretty catchy. fun and weird style. some songs are a little long for me (6/10)

Weird

Scoperta molto interessante, non molta emozione cmq

Icoon. Zeg ik zonder dat ik deze man vooraf kende. Maar Dr. John is een uniek figuur die zich met groot gemak weet te onderscheiden van alle andere muziek en muzikanten. Dat doet hij door weirde muziek te maken maar die niet compleet gestoord is. Eigenlijk is het best tof. Het is een beetje Beefheart, het is een beetje Tom Waits. Beide zijn koningen in weirde tracks maar met aantrekkelijke en catchy melodieën. En dat lukt Sjon ook. Het is soms wat spooky en klinkt soms houtje touwtje maar het klopt wel. Het vliegt niet uit de bocht en is een fijne plaat om te luisteren. Ga ik vaker doen. 7,5/10 Highlights Mama Roux

This was super weird but also really cool. Definitely gives off the spooky vibes he was intending. Somewhat reminiscent of Captain Beefheart. Favorite songs were Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, Mama Roux, and I Walk On Guilded Splinters.

Another valuable addition to the list if random stuff i'd have never listened to without this process, but kind if enjoyed. Weird swampy, blues that seems to live in 2nd gear but why not. First track, ok this could be fun, i can see how you progress from here. 2nd 3rd 4th, ok, they are just keeping it here and thats fine.

I can't lie I expected to really like this because I already heard Mama Foux before this and thoroughly enjoyed it, though this album is very uninteresting. It's only saved by its two highlights (Mama Roux and Jump Sturdy)

It’s all in what you think of his voice

wanna feel like youre in a swamp horror movie? i've got an album for you.

Weird but good

Love the dr. Gumbo is better