Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Initial post listing ranking: 7/10 Type of music / Reminds me of: Early young Soundcloud rappers trying to be quiet while their mom is cooking spaghetti in the kitchen. African tribal call and response, plus Louisiana bayu, and blues, cool. Thoughts: Recording quality is crazy lol. I do like the vibe, blackest white guy I’ve ever heard. Croker Courtbullion was cool at first but then it became an insta-skip when the vocals came on. Generally I really like the style even if it is a little weird. Favorite Track: Jump Sturdy
🙂
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
Doesn’t work for me.
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
I walk on Guilded Splinters ist ein Klassiker. Rest Durchschnitt.
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
There’s some good bits in here but does descend into pretentious squawking for a good chunk of it.
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.
2.5
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
Definitely an interesting melange of swamp rock. Not something you ever hear very often. More than a lark, it is actually put together quite well.
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
"Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya" and especially "I Walk on Gilded Splinters" i'm going to keep this album pretty well into my favor though it didn't totally land. I really like it when it heavily leans into the voodoo especially the opening "Gris Gris" track and "Dance Kalinda Ba Doom". And "Mama Roux" kind of gives me the vibes that Dr. Hook would put into their single "Marie Laveaux". But the real standout track is the "Gilded Splinter" closer. That is a Master Jam. Unfortunately there's a big rough patch in the middle of the album with "Dance Fambeaux" and "Cocker Courtbullion" that really drives down this from being a solid four-star album. (7.45) ★★★½
I think Dr. John's voice is really cool. Not every track is as good, but the best tracks here is fantastic, with their swampy quality. 3.5 stars
I thought this was pretty cool. I like the songs were Dr. John really leans into the creepy Cajun voodoo stuff. When he doesn't, he kind of comes across as a poor-man's Randy Newman. But, but the first couple tracks are really cool and the closer is super awesome. "I Walk On Guilded Splinters" sounds like it should be in some southern horror movie. "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya" and "Danse Fambeaux" were some other highlights. 3.5 stars.
3.5
et lille besøg til new orleans :)) fed oplevelse, blev overrasket da jeg opdagede at manden er hvid??? 3.5
É curioso... Gostei, vou querer escutar mais vezes.
The songs feel like they could use more meat and substance, but the album's sound itself comes across really different and interesting, like he's just in his humble early years, building up to make a masterpiece someday. It's no surprise that he made substantial and prolific contributions to music history-to-be, like performing the theme song to the 2000s animated Curious George television series
Todo un personaje legendario, uno de los The Wrecking Crew (o The Clique) que ya de por sí merecen un hueco en la historia. Aquí tenemos un disco bizarro con sonidos carvenarios del Nueva Orleans más primitivo. Sonidos similares a los de Captain Beefheart pero desde el pantanoso sur. nada que ver con fricadas (maravillosas también) como las De Screaming Jay Hawkins. El éxito le llegó, a nivel comercial de la mano de Allen Toussaint y el respaldo de The Meters, con In the Right time, wrong place ya en el 73. Abre con la presentaciónn de Gris Gris, tema que da título al álbum. Gris Gris es como se denominan ciertos amuletos relacionados con el voodoo. Danse Kalinda ba doom, instrumental con voces que solo se oyen en África y Nueva Orleans. Sólo Mama Roux tiene algo de melodía, una delicia. Danse Fambeaux es un extraño gospell bugaloo... Croker Courtbullion es un tema jazz que obviamente ha influido a Barry Adamson... Jumbo Sturdy es extrañamente tarareable, con ese coro del más allá. I walk on guilded splinters con esa percusión y voces femeninas es una experiencia magistral de más de 7 minutos. No es Symphaty for the devil de los Stones, esto va más allá.
Un loquito divino. No entendí nada. Pero es un album corto y disfrutable. Como la vivian en esa época eh. Mirá lo que es esa tapa, hermano. Una de George Romero. 6/10
Not a big fan but it is good stuff.
Low 3
huh?
I think I need another listen. I either loved this or hated it and I have no idea which.
Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya Danse Kalimbo Ba Doom Mama Roux I Walk on Guilded Splinters
he's not an actual doctor it's just a handle
Cool vibes, no hits. Historically significant, both sprawling and intimate and creepy
Not my favorite noise, but I did enjoy it, as I am planning a trip to Jazz fest this year. .grabbing my gris gris to go. Listened before? N Saved tracks? N Favorite tracks? N/A ⭐⭐ Didn't hate it or love it.
An album for tripping balls in New Orleans. Head out into the bayou and just get weird. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
I get that he was an influential artist for a specific regional style of music and he has been doing this forever, a flag bearer for the combined N.O. sound and tradition. I wont turn this off if its on and I will nod my head in rhythm if its on. This isnt something I would specifically seek out to listen to. All of that being said just because I dont view this as a masterpiece that needs to be heard (believe me, unless youre really into this specific style you dont need to hear this before you die). Its good. 2.5 isnt an option so I will go with 3 simply because 2 would imply its bad.
It was an interesting style, the New Orleans Bob Dylan, if you will.
Funky voice
Takie 3. Nieźle się zaczyna, ale potem zlewa się w całość i nie wiadomo kiedy jedne utwory przechodzą w inne.
Weet ik niet meer precies
Nothing in it felt overly interesting.
Intriguing
strange and occasionally bizarre but in a way that i can vaguely appreciate for being experimental and Different.
Late 60s blues, jazz. White guy playing voodoo doctor. Gris-Gris is a hybrid of New Orleans R&B and psychedelia. Spooky, swampy, druggy.
3.3 I've had a lot of shite albums this week which I think has really helped this one, relief to have something that hasn't made my day slightly worse. At first I thought it said the year was 1987 so when listening thought it was a really interesting experimental album of someone harking back to old southern rock vibes. Pleasantly surprised to see I misread and it was actually '67! Interesting concept, can't say I loved it, but after the Bee Gees it was a welcome respite.
Dr. John's debut album is a pretty decent listen. Not too long and has some interesting sounds with the trademark New Orleans voodoo and medicine show sound. He has made better records so I would say 3 stars.
Dr. John with a voice that could melt steel beams.
Whimsy and fun
Spooky supernatural and swampy with lots Afro Cuban and Caribbean influences. Felt like something you shouldn’t be listening to, like a secret voodoo incantation or something🧟♂️🧟♀️
One of those albums which doesn't fit into the 5 star rating system. It's crazy but also whack at points
New Orleans R&B meets 1960's Psychedelia with a Voodoo vibe. Music to get stoned to. I quite liked this laid-back album.
i liked it i like the sounds they make me sway it’s a vibe
You can say this album is a lot like a...cosmic gumbo. Dr. John is steeped in New Orleans traditions, but with that, an awful lot of appropriation. The repetition of these melodies and rhythms can be entrancing and aren't without merit.
Sehr interessantes Werk, weiß aber nicht, ob ich das dann nochmal hören würde.
Listenable.
Album #989 Psychedelic rock mixed with some African jungle beats. It was ok.
Mjög skrýtið en áhugavert.
It was okay
My guess here is that this album was recorded.while on strong acid. An oddball but cool album.
Kinda weird, but kinda fun
Favorite tracks: Danse Kalimba Ba Doom, Mama Roux, Jump Sturdy
Very odd album. I like his voice but he doesn't really sing any melodies. Mama Roux and Jump Sturdy were both awesome songs, bringing the mediocrity of the rest of the album to a nice and average 3 stars.
51/100.
3/5
It's if Lou Reed was from San Francisco instead of New York, and did acid instead of heroin. I didn't really enjoy this, but I'm glad I listened to it?
A gris-gris, also spelled grigri, and sometimes also "gregory" or "gerregery" is a talisman that originated in the Muslim Mande communities of Far West Africa and is believed to protect the wearer from evil or bring luck. Due to Atlantic slavery, the use of the gris-gris was translocated to the Americas and became a significant practice in Louisiana Voodoo and Haitian Vodou. It is also used as a purported method of birth control in some countries. It consists of a small cloth bag, usually inscribed with verses from an ancestor and a ritual number of small objects, worn on the person. Dude is trippin' balls throughout this album.
Having recently been to New Orleans this album has a different meaning, which makes sense in a way I don’t think I would have appreciated otherwise. This was definitely different than the psychedelic rock of the time, particularly because it wasn’t exactly psychedelic, just VERY Creole. Of course, the song Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya could easily be argued the other way. This could fit right into the vibe of San Fransisco rock, yet retaining its own regional individuality. I actually really liked this as a cultural and musical concept. Key song for me was I Walk on Guilded Splinters. I have to admit, I don’t know if I have ever heard anything like it, and I would have never looked for it.
Random thoughts: * Surprised to see this album on 1001. I thought it would be the "Right Place Wrong Time" album if they were going to put a Dr. John album on this list. * This was an interesting listen to hear him mix zydeco, bayou, jazz, and rock to create his own sound. I bet this was super unique when it was released. I wonder how this fit into all the other music coming out in 1968( Stone, Beatles, Jimi, Doors, etc). It really makes you appreciate how crazy the late 60s were for music innovation. * I enjoyed the music on this album and was glad I was exposed to it. Highly unlikely to go revisit this album.
It's a 3 for novelty value. Not something I'd choose to play on the regular!
First track and last track are atmospheric moody masterpieces. The middle is fine but has less thought i think making this maybe a 33 minute long EP. And this is part of a larger hypothesis I’m working on where I’m finding albums of a certain vintage 60s through the 80’s had one good track, a lot of filler, and maybe a sneaky “okay” song
Swamp voodoo boogie shit all over the place here. Fun stuff
Unc john heheeh
It's kind of a cosmic gumbo
The prelude to most of the Dr. John music you *do* know.
Pretty cool and fun, but the whole concept of the persona of "Dr. John, the Night Tripper" feels kinda problematic to me.
Pretty nice experience.
2.8
Feels very Zappa and Captain beefheart but I guess that’s because it’s kind of goofy psychedelic music. A lot of it is random chanting and noises (vocally) but to be fair the calm, jazzy instrumentals in the background were consistently nice but maybe a bit repetitive. The sound quality is a bit lacking but it was made in 68 so it’s more understandable. The feel of the album is where it’s most unique but unfortunately for me it just isn’t as engaging with the actual content of the songs. It is quite short though so it definitely works as a condensed album and I appreciate him not making a double album or something out of this like trout mask replica or something. I liked the context of his name as well being based off a voodoo doctor which really fits this psychedelic, trippy sound. Favourites: Mama Roux and Jump sturdy. Overall, 6/10.
Interesting and out there
Quite enjoyed but realistically unlikely to revisit, bordering a 4
This transported me off to the US Deep South, swamp blues and spiritual voodoo magic, and you get a feeling of cultural significance. This is my introduction to Dr John and favourite songs are Jump Sturdy, and the incredibly strange Croker Courtbouillon, which appears to be about fish soup and for some reason stirred up memories ranging from The Addams Family to Scooby Do. Not entirely my thing, but altogether an intriguing listen.
Quite liked this not my normal music but yeah it’s great
Serve me up a cup of this bayou swamp water. A tip of the cap to Dr. John. He gets his finger shot off and somehow channels it into the birth of voodoo funk. I think I’ll take the moss and mud of this psychedelia over the peers of the time chasing sitars and outer space.
Takie to trochę bez tożsamości. Początkowo brzmiało jak muzyka bezdomnych, doświadczonych życiem tylko po to, aby potem przerodzić się w jakieś afrorytmy, egzotyczne i niedopasowane do przeżartego głosu. Trudno mi zrozumieć tę płytę i cieszę się, że jest już za mną. 5/10
It's okay - no strong feelings.
Haunting- great for spooky season.
Wasn't looking forward to slogging my way through this…Then he started singing and I was like DAMNNNNNNNNN! Then came some Alan Lomax Smithsonian field recording-sounding "song." Then came Mama Roux and I was like DAMNNNNNNNNN! Then more field recordings. Finally, in his greatest contribution to music history, he concludes the album by saying, "Golden teeth and golden tones, welcome to my presence...let there be teeth!" And there was Teeth.
Gave me a new appreciation for the music born out of New Orleans.
Kind of a fun Halloween album. I bet in 1968, stumbling upon this was probably trippy AF.
I Only listened to the first song of gris gris, it seems very country like and seemed to have lots of energy. Now that i am writting this i would like to maybe retake my chance with this album after finishing the next one, that is today. Otherwise i wouldnt super rate it without listening to it completly first. Since i would like to atlleast vote im going to vote a 3 star, sorry if this post or review threw you off at first for those who really apreciat this album
This was interesting and suitably odd. At first his voice reminded me a little of Don Van Vliet, but as the album progressed I thought that less. There’s a little psychedelia nonsense that overrides this album, but overall I thought it had some substance. Not sure how many times I would revisit it, but it’s a steady 3/5.
Good
The music is amazing, the vocals haunt my dreams
I think I must have heard of Dr John via an Old Grey Whistle Test from way back when, probably on some kind of clips show. This was OK and had some interesting moments, but lacks a bit of drive for me. I doubt I’d listen again, but it was pleasant enough.
Mid
I thought it would like this more. I like plenty of his songs. But it was a bit irreverent
GO WHITE BOY
Vocals grated after a while but love the guitar work
What an interesting listen. Unlike most other albums I’ve heard. Enjoyed the journey. Not sure how often I’ll revisit
If Albert Hoffman started a Vodún cult in the bayou, this would be the music that would be playing.
This album made me feel like i was in some back alley off of bourbon street talking to some weird street doctor about second rate LSD.
Some of it was good. Some of it was awful. He whistled, there can be no forgiveness, totally lost me the second he puckered.
It was kinda funky, I'm not sure when would I listen to this but I guess I didn't mind it
The last song takes it from a 2 to a 3 Still a bit disappointed that this is where we are now. I need greatness, not okayness Id stick this on again if someone asked for it, otherwise, probably not
Interesting
This album is like sitting in the hostel bar having a beer while some birkenstock-wearing guy in hemp pants and an unbuttoned floral shirt tells the room about how he considers himself more of a 'traveler' than a 'tourist'. You find yourself wondering if all 'travelers' own an Apple Watch, but fearing you are being too cynical, you keep your mouth shut. He proceeds to tell everyone a story about how he was in Bhutan last summer and met an actual shaman. Explaining how this was the most spiritual moment of his life, he proudly claims that he has started to learn how to transverse the axis mundi himself, but of course he's just a beginner. You consider if maybe Bhutan would be a cool place to go and see, but you don't really want to ask this dude for travel tips.
cajun weird
Was a good listen, a bit odd at times
This is a delightfully weird album with weird, far out soundscape jams. Dr. John's voice is both unique yet familiar & adds alot to the New Orleans flared sound but you can tell it's a Dr. John song. Which can go both ways: good or bad. I guess it depends on how you reacted to this sound. 3
Liked the first half a lot. Second side tailed off a bit for me. Interested to listen to more similar music. Probably a 7/10 for me.
Decent
Unquestionably iconic and essential. Doesn't really strike me. *3
🐷 Gris gris potatispolis 🐷 Wow, a shameless Aqua ripoff, classy. Time to make some gumbo
Not terrible, but fairly one dimensional. Almost like 1 long rambling Cajun song.
Ambivalent impression for me. It is an unique album, I don't remember listening to anything similar to this. But, at the same time, I did not connect that much with it.
You certainly can't fault this album for consistency of mood and subject matter. Dr. John is the baddest witch doctor in the swamp, and he's going to spend the whole record telling you all about it, over a deeply eerie bed of orchestration that sounds like it was recorded in a rotting juke shack, or possibly on a flatboat off a bayou sandbar. For pure character and vibe, it scores impossibly high marks. The songs may not all be particularly special, but the grooves spool out like clouds of herbal smoke, while languid solos, bird songs, hand drums, and tolling bells drift in and out of the murk. There really isn't anything like this out there, as far as I've ever heard - it's a cinematic character portrait of a true American oddball original.
Very nice, heavy blues. Proto rap. Like it but a little too hot and miss for me.
This one's a wild ride.
Voodoo man got friends on the other side
3/5
I was previously familiar with Dr. John but not this particular album. This album is pretty good, sound is typical for Dr. John. Mostly catchy but some weird parts. Overall it is good, and I would listen again.
Rare hippiemeuk, met samenzang, gerommel, oerwoudkreten en dierengeluiden. Het moet allemaal klinken alsof ze rond een groot kampvuur dansen, zo lijkt het. Het resultaat is soms irritant, soms wel aardig, met name het laatste nummer (dat ik kende van een cover door Paul Weller) zet de sfeer nog het beste neer. Eentje om misschien nog eens vaker te beluisteren.
De speelse klanken, die alleen in de jaren '60 mogelijk waren, komen je tegemoet. Iets waar ik zelf niet van houd. Maar toch moet ik bekennen dat de plaat mij niet alleen irriteert en mij zelfs ergens wel pakt. Een genre-hater bereiken. Dat is knap! Maar John lijkt daar ook alle moeite voor te hebben gedaan. Het zeer psychedelische karakter is zeker niet ten kostte gegaan van de muzikale kwaliteit en hij heeft een bijzonder prettige balans gevonden met de irritante en toch pakkende (vaak hese) zang. John zet hiermee een unieke sfeer neer. Iets wat ik altijd waardeer. Ik heb zelfs nog even de proef op de som genomen of ik het twee maal kon luisteren. Maar nee, dat is teveel. Zeer terecht opname in de lijst, maar slechts 3 sterren van mij.
Dr John is zo'n naam die je wel vaker (bijv uit de mond van Don Leo Blokhuis) hebt gehoord, maar totaal niet kan plaatsen. Ik denk dat het enige bekende nr "Such a Night" is, maar dat staat niet op dit album. Ik ben daarom benieuwd naar wat de beste man in petto heeft. Vanaf de eerste klanken doet het me experimenteel en psychedelisch aan. Ik denk gelijk aan tijdgenoten Zappa en Capt Beefheart. En dat is niet echt positief. Hij trekt vervolgens een blik wereldmuzikanten open, New Orleans stijl lees ik, zo te horen een melting pot vol Afrikaanse en Caribbische invloeden. Mama Roux is meer herkenbaar, dit had ik min of meer verwacht. Het lijkt of we alle substijlen die in de muziek verwerkt zijn, wel eens eerder gehoord hebben. Maar Dr John verwerkt het wel tot een prima geheel. Ik zou bijna zeggen, een eigen geluid. Het is een beetje vaag, maar ik kan er desondanks wel naar luisteren. Het doet me ook heel funky aan namelijk en die platen bevallen me stiekem meestal wel. Psychedelisch, wereldmuziek, soul, funk, blues, experimenteel. Toch leuk om kennis mee te maken. Het kan een 4 worden, maar ook een 2. Maken we er een 3 van.
Light 3. Very interesting, I’ll give it that, just a little too out there at times.
This has got some cool parts, even though I do not like it that much over all. But it's interesting to see the originals of samples e.g. "Guts - Endless night" (2007) when this is from 68
This was a really weird one. Quite interesting in concept and execution. Entertaining as far as that goes, but not really pleasant listening. A good experience, but won't revisit.
2.6 2x on the cusp of a 2 star but just decent enough
Facinating little trip here. Maybe literally. This interesting, but short bluesy rock record feels like if you were wondering wonderland with alice after you took some shrooms while someone put on a slowed down version of sympathy for the devil. And i like it. Croker courtbullion is a little too experimental for my taste, but all the other tracks have a cool vibe.
It’s cool and also it’s trippy.
As a low down man from da bayou, this really reminded me of home
this was really fun, it had the vibes of one of the 60s era disney movies singing about the characters...i started getting into it and vibing and grooving....
confused by the vibes but like... it was enjoyable! then i saw this is from nola and was like ohhhhhhh right.... now it makes sense. still need half stars cause this is 2.5 for ME
Meh
The soundtrack for the villain in a New Orleans-themed musical.
Dr. John is an absolute legend. This isn't my favorite of his but a wild exploration of some spooky and weird music. Walking on guilded splinters and the title track are top notch but the rest fails to really meet those highs. A fun record to throw on in the background for a Halloween party.
All the songs had similar pacing and stuff
Day 7 First listen- Enjoyed listening to it, trippy. Had its highs and lows! Some songs were very interesting and fun while some were sorta boring. Highlights- Jump Sturdy, Croker Courtbullion. (3/5)
This album was fine! I liked the overall genre of songs but some of them had vocals I didn't enjoy.
Ich hab’s nicht so aufmerksam gehört aber im Hintergrund fand ich’s ganz gut! Angenehm kurz
Zum Teil sehr experimentell, dann wieder überaschend groovy. Fav: I Walk on Guilded Splinters
Not bad. It’s definitely a little weird.
Weird ass album, but it kind of grew on me as I listened to it. Soooooo 60s, and sooooo psychedelic, and also was Dr. John white..?? But also, The Big Easy's one of my favorite cities on the entire planet, so you know I gotta put some respect on him for representing. God-awful album cover. Fave songs: - Mama Roux - I Walk on Guilded Splinters
This was good. I like the vibe, there’s some funky weirdness going on here that’s part voodoo, part psychedelic. Cool vibe. Not great, but solidly good.
very atmospherical, feel like im in a hut in the swamps. reminds me of funkadelic in some spots
odd one
This album is cool, but I feel it needs a heavy amount of drugs to feel totally effective.
New Orleans you say?
a short album at 7 songs over 33 minutes, but really there are only 2-3 songs in slightly different configurations. the Dr. John the Gris Gris man schtick would have been good for a single song perhaps, but not enough to wrap a whole album around. nothing I would ever want to listen to again, though it wasn't torture to make it through.
De gehele atmosfeer is goed cohesief. Vond de liedjes wel enorm langdradig. Maar het was wel een chill album maar niet een waar ik weer naar zou luisteren
This is some weird uncanny valley Blues Rock. It definitely sounds like swamp voodoo music. I don't know exactly how someone came up with this, but drugs must've been involved. I very much liked it. There's so much blues or blues-adjacent rock on this list, at least this one does something unique and memorable with it. But that typeface is soooo ugly! Key tracks: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya Mama Roux
Maybe I shouldn't read reviews on her before listening. Because so many reviews on here reference to this album being spooky. This really got my hopes up. A New Orleans style spooky album? Sign me up. I have no idea where any of those reviews are coming from. Nothing spooky about this. It is decent though.
Gonzo
Too much mojo for me.
Better than I expected, but I did not care for it.
Psycheldelic RnB -sowas habe ich auch noch nicht gehört. Auf eine sehr eigene Art unterhaltsam. Wild, spannend - nichts für jeden Tag. 3/5
Tom Waits goes to South America. 6/10
What a trip. It's Zappa or Captain Beefheart adjacent without the weird turned up to 11.
Kind of sounds what I imagine New Orleans to sound like. I dig the tribal drumming and the patois. The good songs were Gris-Gris, Mama Roux, Walk on Guilded Splinters.
Best Song: I Walk on Guilded Spiders This was ok at best, it goes from bluesy to weird really quick. I just don't see myself ever listening to it again.
This album is pretty weird. A swampy new Orleans blues album with some psych and occult elements. Pretty cool concept but fails to keep much of my attention 6/10 Favourite: I Walk on Gilded Splinters Least Favourite: Mama Roux
Nyt ollaan kyllä taas siellä osastolla, oudoimpia levyjä tällä listalla. Tosi jännää ja nimenomaan jännää psykedeelistä musiikkia joka varmaan rokkia on pohjimmiltaan, mutta tosi natiivin kuuloista. Voodoo musiikkia. Häröä ja outoa, mutta mielenkiintoisella tavalla hyvää. Parhaat: Danse Kalinda Ba Doom, Croker Courtbullion
Strange one. I felt like I was in a swamp... filled with drugs
Lite tokig. Lite chill. Lite vibes. Lite, undrar vad det här betyder
It was unique...I'm not sure if I liked it or not.
Good tunes thx
Interesting but I wasn’t really into it (2.5/5)
New Orleans is a great city, but it’s also a city of thieves and scoundrels with larceny deep in its heart. In fact, that is a big part of its charm. I’m sorry to inform anyone who paid to listen to this that you just got your pocket picked like a tourist on Lafayette Square. But as New Orleans knows, if a crime is committed with enough style then nobody minds too much.
Unique and has a great groove to most of the songs.
Strange but somewhat enjoyable
Reminds me a bit of Tom Waits. Quite enjoyed it, very weird. Didn't save any tracks though.
Pretty good, jungly, groovy and nice
This was strange. An interesting listen. Definitely worth listening to at least once, just for the experience. I haven't heard anything like this before.
interesting vibe
A little bit too experimental for my taste
Music to trip to.
Coco Robichaux
Was expecting something more psychedelic or experimental. And yes some of both of those things are here but not to the degree i thought I was getting into. It's more just a slightly experimental kinda Louisiana type bluegrass type bayou music. It's pretty decent though all things considering.
2.5 - Not for me
Typical DT John gunbo
Could be a 4. A little Louisiana precursor to Tom Waits and short which is nice.
Swampy/witchy feeling
Back in ‘81 Len tried to get a prescription from Dr John. It was one of the funniest days of my life and Houmous & Chutney career. 2.6
Super weird album, I like it’s for what it was though. Glad I listened to it once, it’s interesting to hear the voodoo psychedelic style, I think three out of five is good.
fun and funky
Not my thing. I think if I understood 60s New Orleans culture I might like it more, but I don't.
No idea what I just listened to.
An interesting listening, must have been extraordinary at the time of release to here something like this. Obvious why it's included here but not one I'd go back to often 3.5*
It's cool and fun but not my fav
This really flicked around on the meter of weird and interesting to weird and unpleasant, but at a shorter runtime that was ok.
Yeah, that is Dr. John! I know Dr. John through a few of his most popular songs, and I was excited to hear Dr. John's debut album where he unleashed his full psychedelic, New Orleans style. Gris-Gris isn't your standard fare and even stands out of these 1001 albums. It's unusual, it's pure swamp, and the chants enthrall you. This album's release in 1968 must've still stood out, even with all the other psychedelic albums of the time, because nothing else sounds like this. As a final note, Tom Waits was a contemporary of Dr. John; though the two musicians share very little between genres, I heard similarities between their blues-style music. Perhaps Dr. John even encouraged Waits to spread his weird wings in the late seventies and beyond? All I'm saying is that Tom Waits' music journey makes more sense after this album.
What a weird fucking album. I have no idea what voodoo rituals I just participated in. I have to admit, I do like the vibe. And the longer I listened, the more I jammed out with the ambience. It's great background music.
Certainly one of the more unique albums I've gotten so far, probably needs a couple of listens to appreciate, a fusion of psychedelic, jazz, eerie chants, and jungle like rhythms. No standout track, not a commercial album for sure, interesting to say the least.
Don’t quite know what to think about this album. It’s certainly different in a multitude of ways. Another album that if not for this list I would never have been aware of but unlike a lot of these unknowns where I would have preferred to have continued my ignorance, this did ignite my interest. 2.5/5 26/3/25
kinda sounds like Tom Jones does experimental bossa nova? idk i guess it was fine for what it is and there were some nice grooves but it was a bit repetitive and nothing really stood out to me
Croker Courtbullion
This kind of album is why I signed up for this. I’m not sure I was ready for Dr John though.
This was a weird one but I didn't hate it. Was giving me 'more accessible Tom Waits' vibes.
Interesting album, haven’t heard anything like it. Good tiki bar vibes.
This was wild. Some groovy tracks, and then some completely unlistenable garbage. Interesting!
A VIBE!
Pretty strange but definitely a fun listen
Ok listen
Probably quite important, and I might get more out of it if I listen closely. But I don't find it that interesting.
Das erste Studioalbum des amerikanischen Musikers Dr. John, bekannt für seine Mischung aus Blues, Jazz, Funk und New Orleans R&B. Das Album wurde in den Cosimo Matassa Studios in New Orleans aufgenommen, einem bedeutenden Ort für die Entstehung von Rhythm and Blues und Rock ’n’ Roll. Es markiert den Beginn einer langen und erfolgreichen Karriere von Dr. John, der für seine einzigartige Verschmelzung von Stilen und seine markante, raue Stimme bekannt ist. Das Album selbst enthält eine Reihe bemerkenswerter Stücke, die seine Vielseitigkeit und Kreativität unter Beweis stellen. Besonders hervorzuheben ist „I Walk on Guilded Splinters“, das zu einem seiner bekanntesten Lieder wurde. Es kombiniert hypnotische Rhythmen mit mystischen und spirituellen Texten, was den „Night Tripper“-Charakter von Dr. John unterstreicht. Ein weiteres prägendes Stück ist „Mama Roux“, das den markanten Einfluss der Cajun- und Voodoo-Traditionen von New Orleans widerspiegelt. Musikalisch bewegt sich Gris-Gris zwischen verschiedenen Genres und experimentiert mit psychedelischen Klängen, was es zu einem frühen Beispiel für die Verschmelzung von traditionellen und modernen Elementen in der amerikanischen Musik macht. Dr. Johns Verwendung von Orgeln, Percussion und anderen klassischen New Orleans-Instrumenten schafft eine dichte, oft mystische Atmosphäre, die dem Album seine besondere Note verleiht. Im Fazit lässt sich sagen, dass Gris-Gris ein vielseitiges und atmosphärisches Album ist, das nicht nur die musikalische Landschaft von New Orleans widerspiegelt, sondern auch Dr. Johns einzigartigen Ansatz zur Musik und Performance etabliert. Es ist ein essentielles Werk für Fans von Blues, Jazz und Psychedelic Rock der späten 60er Jahre.
Look what crawled out of the bayou
Nach somene high vom letzte Album fühlt sich z tüüf natürlich nomal biz tüüfer ah, aber de Nacht Tripper Dr. John (Meineder isch de au wükli en Dokter?) findi hets no smooth gmacht und het mi ned zu Steil gheie lah. Dadefür bini doch dankbar. Ich glaub das Album het ned soooo viel wiederhör-potential aber irgendwie hanis doch musikalisch sehr witzig gfunde und gnosse. Drü Griessbrei für de Herr Doktor.
Was, Dr. John Dorian us Scrubs hed es Album 1968 usebracht? Hani nöd gwüsst. Im dr john sis bild gsed aber funny us, weiss aber nöd wie vertrauenswürdig de cheib isch. Wüssti ez nöd öb de mini prostata-operation dörft durefüehre - i doubt it. De chan mit mir au nöd chli dökterli spieli mache. Aber musik macht er besser als medizin. Irgendwie na es fun album, 1-2 recht gueti tracks, 1-2 interessanti und biz abgspaceti aber würki es banger album ischs denn doch nöd. Darum eher gib dem album drüü därm (s einzige körperteil woni gfunde han wo 3 teili hed)
ich weiss nöd genau wases ah de swamp hillbillies isch was sie so viel sympathischer macht als die texas oder desert hillbillies irgendwie mystischer chömeds mir übere und das album bewist das - eher wie en versoffene, verdrogte drumming circle irgendwo im swamp dusse bimene füür anstatt hasstirade und shotgun porch action wiemer scho paarmal ghört hend da ih dem klöpp mit de desert bros das album hett öppis mystisches ufgwise und mich chli in bann zoge, aber nume es bizeli drum hocki da uf mim baumstumpf umgebe vo 3000 alligatore und schlange ih mim sumpf uf de suechi nachem schamanische boogiekollektiv, usgrüstet mit ennere angelruete zum fische, minnere trusty latzhose wo nurno ein strap dra isch und ennere ladig moonshine und swamp air ih mir drinne SWAAAAAAAAMPPPPPP POWERRRRRRR
Dr. John with some down home NOLA voodoo funk. Can't say that everyone will like this, and it definitely didn't fit the 1968 AM radio format, but I liked it
Quite the oddity! I mean that positively, and more in the way that I don’t know anything much about the world of New Orleans it comes from. Really enjoyed Danse Kalimba Ba Doom and Mama Roux, not enthralled by the rest. Fun to experience something new to me though.
You know, everything was there for me to like this album. Gravelly voice, New Orleans vibe, unique subject matter. And yet it feels kind of... inauthentic to me? I feel a little like someone is trying to bedazzle me with a fakery they don't really believe in. I can definitely appreciate why it's on this list, the music is fantastic. Just not one that hit home to me.
Gewoon lekker, af en toe een beetje rommelig
3/5. That was pretty wild, not sure how I feel about it honestly. This is a foreign language album because man was speaking in tongues. I understand is a heavy accent, maybe even involving some New Orleans French, but mixed with the art on the cover, they are not beating the witchcraft allegations, a curse was definitely laid on me. It is not something I'm putting on regularly but it is a unique listen, I'll give it that and wasn't bored since it was so short. Definitely something you should listen to, but maybe not more than once. Best Song: Mama Roux, Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, I Walk On Guilded Splinters
This was cool to hear and mentally marked as "will play again". Spooky in its way and entertaining.
enjoyed this, was a bit odd in places but enjoyed overall, favourite was Danse Fambeaux
This is partly what keeps me from binning this list. I would have never, ever listened to this if it wasn’t drawn from this generator. Some crazed late-60s psychedelia. This is one of a select genre of albums that seem to have appeared in this time period as a ‘fuck it, let’s just make some nonsensical, vaguely illustrative noise’. Gris-Gris is consistently odd, often strangely mellow and sometimes seriously insane. But it’s not trying to be anything else, is it? This wasn’t made with mass market appeal in mind, this was clearly made to showcase the ‘other side’ of mass-produced music. Imagine picking this up at a record shop in 1968, thinking it’d be more classic rock or the like. By Croker Courtbullion, you’d definitely realise that this is no normal album. It’s mental, but not abrasive. A ‘pleasant’ listen is probably too far, so I will use the very boring adjective of ‘interesting’ to describe this in a word.
Really took me a while to made up my mind on Dr John. Hated it at first and kind of liked it on the long run. Not sure, I'd like to revisit it but why not 2.5