Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Dr. John is pretty cool, but I do not care for Gris Gris. 'Croker Courtbullion' is especially grueling. 'I Walk on Guilded Splinters' is great though.
Swampy, psychedelic and bluesy. Dr. John is one of the best at what he does. He has proved that countless times. It was with Gris-Gris that he unfolded his voodoo world for the world to explore with him. A lot of the record works really well and he knows when to demand your attention, as in “I Walk On Guilded Splinters”. Unfortunately there is also room for songs like “Croker Courtbullion” - and those really aren’t working.
Psychedelic voodoo sound, not what I expected. Pretty cool
This was quite interesting.
I liked Danse Fambeaux.
Thoughts before listening: Dr. John's the best. I love his raspy voice and his updated, psychedelic take on New Orleans style blues and funk. I know that this is generally considered his best album, so I am excited to listen. I have definitely heard parts if not all of this album before. Review: This is pretty good although its a little slow and dark for my liking. I've heard more rock oriented covers of these songs, especially "Walk on Gilded Splinters", that I much prefer to these versions. Still though its the debut album of a major musician that went on to have a storied and varied career for over 50 years. This is 3-stars to me
Interesting sounds at times, but not something I would ever listen to intentionally.
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.
Sono certo che fosse geniale per la sua epoca
They don't make music like this any more. Could they? Is it cultural appropriation? Homage? Inspired? These are tricky questions. Do I like this? That's also tricky. I think if I was drunk enough I would listen to this again and manage to play maybe 2 or 3 tracks before other people asked me what the fuck I was doing and made me turn it off. I would say, "Fair enough. Let me play one more track." Then I would put on 'I Walk on Gilded Splinters', and they would say "Yeah, that was good, but don't put it on again."
The only song I remotely liked was Mama Roux. The rest were just a bit too jumbled for me. I have heard of Dr. John but have never been particularly interested in him. Listening to this album did not change that opinion.
What a weirdo. 5/5 stars.
Interesting. Not amazing, but definitely interesting.
On first play it was crap, but might be growing on me.
At least it was a weird psychedelic album with a voodoo, New Orleans creole kinda thing going on instead of just plain lame psychedelic rock. Not much else to say except that I will immediately forgot about this album by the time I fall asleep tonight.
First listen was difficult but began to get in the mood for it on repeat listens. Only a few tracks I really liked, but the album as a whole has a cool vibe. 2.5.
Nice discovery but not mind blowing
Bit of a mad man and some of it is a bit too far beyond the pale but there's some really good bits too and it's under 40 mins.
Wtf 1/5
Dr John is 3 stars. This album is not as good as any of the meters best albums. If course, the meters aren't on this stupid list.
awful
I surprisingly really enjoyed this album. Great sound.
So... Eighties Tom Waits actually existed a few years before he started the first phase of his career in the early seventies, and his name was actually Dr. John, from New Orleans... Good to know. And awesome to listen to. Even if this thing comes from the late sixties, its swampy, voodoo-inspired mood is so singular that it's basically timeless. Would have loved hearing this music in a David Lynch or Jim Jarmusch flick. Fortunately, the 1001 albums book and app were there to make me discover this gem in another way... All jokes about Tom Waits aside, I already had a superficial knowledge of who Dr. John was, but that was through *Dr. John's , Gumbo*, his breakout LP of covers related to his hometown, nice and dandy, but not very surprising sonically speaking. I have to say that this far more original debut is definitely more suited to my tastes. It's bookended by two killer cuts in their off-kilter bluesy genre, "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya" and "I Walk One Guilded Splinters". "Mama Roux" and "Jump Sturdy" sound great as well, and the two "danses" are mysterious and cinematic enough to seal the whole deal for me (only the lengthy "Croker Courtbullion" is grating after a while). Spent some time this afternoon falling into a rabbit hole and exploring other Dr. John albums prior to *Gumbo*. Those records are all flawed to an extent, but on the other hand, they all have a couple of gems to spare at the same time. Who cast a spell on me? Looks like "the night tripper" did... 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential albums", rounded up to 5. 9.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5+4.5) Number of albums left to review: 122 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 382 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 225 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 283
Roots vibratoons straight from a soul.
The list needs more of this vibe.
What the fuck was that shit
Listened Before? N This is one of those "you had to be there" records from the 60's. It's very creative and very odd. I'm not on enough drugs. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Mama Roux
Here's a weird little album right here. I've never heard of Dr. John, the night tripper, but he seems like a fun character. His voice is certainly interesting. It's pretty Tom Waits-esque in a way. I don't know how to feel about that. Anyway, the musical contents are also decent. This album's pretty short with only 7 songs across 33 minutes. They're not the best 33 minutes of music I've ever heard (albums like Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables and A Love Supreme have it beat in that regard), but they're okay. I think it just boils down to this kind of music not really being my thing personally. I respect this album, but it doesn't really make me feel that much. The sound is solid. The writing is fine. Overall, this album doesn't do much for me, but I can see enough value in this for me to give this a low 3/5 as opposed to something lower.
A Perfect Album. Truth be told I own a copy and probably haven't listened to it in 20 years but this weekend listened to it about five times and am enchanted in a way I wasn't before. Every element of this all-time masterpiece is superlative, the composition, performance, production and even the packaging is all absolutely 10/10 wouldn't change a thing. One technical aspect that might not be obvious to the casual listener is the use of reverb. reverb is an artificial effect that creates an echoing sound that makes it feel like the musician is in a large room and maybe on the other side of the room from you. on this album they use a lot of it. the vocals are fairly dry so the effect is it feels like Dr John is whispering in your ear while the rest of the band is on the other side of some voodoo shack out on the bayou.
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.
I enjoyed the start but by the time I got to "guilded splinters" I was tired of what felt to me like a little too much affectation. Dr. John is not a voodoo doctor and this entire album would have been much better had he not felt the need to have the persona. IMHO. As you were.
Definitely some interesting elements to this but I kept getting annoyed with the songs after a short time. All the New Orleans elements seems almost forced at points.
Drugged up, dank, spooky, kooky and groovy. Didn’t think this would be so good based on the album cover. But as they say in the classics, never judge a book (or in this case a record) by it’s cover. This was ace.
Weird. 4 stars.
love that echoey sixties production and it’s a real vibe but except for gilded splinters it’s a bit of a snooze
This album cover suggests this will either be so fucking amazing or an unmitigated trash fire. Bad news! It’s way closer to the latter. Hoo boy. If you want some Louisiana fun just listen to some zydeco or something. This is just a masturbatory exercise to see how weird we can make voodoo seem to the hippies that would have been high as a kite listening to this. Shut the fuck up. It falling 200 fucking places in 20 years on Rolling Stones list tells you once boomers are gone this shit will be irrelevant. Terrible
Lively, quite enjoyed that.
Here is another album that is more interesting than it is good. Some cool ideas here and there, but I don't like the back up singers. Their voices are annoying and I think it hurts the album. Low 3
This was... weird? Kinda cool, kinda not. But dated, for sure. 3, I guess?
Only fair. His best is great but overall he’s rather boring.
Refreshingly different and yet accessible enough to get you bobbing your head. No hit single in sight, but overall the album convinces with its unique vibe. It's also short and snappy, so you won't get tired of it. 3.5/5
Tons of character and I quite liked it
Best Song: Mama Roux. Its got a certain undeniably raw funk. Worst Song: Croker Courtbullion. Pure self-indulgent guitar noodling. Overall: Two or three decent tracks, but otherwise is the kind of raw, "jam" style that feels like it doesn't need to be immortalized on an album, let alone on this list.
Mitä pukelia tämä oli?
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
Funky and grimy. Sometimes creepy. Always mesmerizing.
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.
I didn't expect to find this album on this list and I wouldn't have added it either.
As in terms of swamp rock and/or freak folk, that's a pretty great pick to introduce someone to the genre. However, I can't say it's a masterpiece. A pleasant listen, but nothing I will come back to.
10/10
Not my style
Never been a big NOLA music guy but this was pretty good
Idk not for me. Shout out NOLA tho
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.
Some fun experimenting with instruments with psychedelic and African influence but at times boring and irritating . A pleasant surprise but not my favorite
Diferente y con interés relativo.
This was fine, not amazing, but short and relatively sweet.
Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya Mamá Roux Jump Sturdy Never heard of Dr. John but. Boy do I love this album. Feels like each note was perfectly crafted and placed. The vibe behind this feels like you’re wading through the Bayou on a treasure hunt.
1. 7 2. 7.5 3. 9 4. 8.5 5. 6.5 6. 8 7. 8.5 7.86/10 3.93/5
This was a wierd album I listened to a few times where some of the tracks I liked better the more I listened and some I liked less
It was an interesting concept, but not much more than that really. Nothing really grabbed my attention or made me want to come back for more.
This didn't really do it for me. It's got a cool vibe going on, and an interesting mix of different styles blended together - but I can't say I enjoyed listening to it.
I like Dr. Teeth and Electric Mayhem better. This probably would've gotten a better reaction from me years ago but this stuff just doesn't excite me at all anymore. Good on you for being weird for your time, but I have no desire to listen to this ever again.
Liked but did not looove
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!!!
Liked the vibes, interested in the doc - didn’t make an huge impression on this listen but cool album!
Pretty cool! Instrumentation feels very raw and the vocals have a cool edge to them
I really liked this album in high school and haven't revisited it in a long time... its really great! what a delight
I love Dr. John’s hits, but this album is just ass. Most of the tracks are more like chants than actual songs, and the recording sounds like pure crap.
Sí, probablemente hay que escucharlo una vez en la vida, pero mi experiencia con el disco es que con una vez bastará.
Vilken jävla rävmusik.
I LOVE DR JOHN!!! He is so unique and talented. I love the songs he performs in the last waltz!!
3.5
This is such a bizarre record, but weirdly compelling too? At first I thought for sure I was gunna have to skip it, but I got the whole way through. It's very character driven and atmospheric, obviously. Dr. John's voice reminds me a lot of Eric Burden's, I think that's why I kept listening. The layers of country backwoods flavour baked into his delivery piqued my sonic interest. This is a white man playing dress up and cultural appropriation in a fully immersive voodoo/hoodoo fantasy world all his own, but I have to give him credit for being so committed to the bit. Is this guy a whackadoo weirdo? Absolutely. Is the record worth the 33 minute listening time? Absolutely. Then you can go get a bowl of gumbo afterward, you've earned it.
Great vibe on this
A wacky New Orleans sound with a sprinkle of Tom Waits.
Album is very experimental, to the point where making random noises to be “edgy”. Music is good though. 3/5
down and dirty psychedelic blues rock with a creole twist. a fun listen.
I like a few of these but some are just noises.
Felt like some understated psychedelic rock to me. I Walk on Guilded Splinters was my favourite song, Jump Sturdy was also kind of fun. Croker Courtbullion was very repetitive and kind of annoying, same with the back half of Danse Fambeaux if I remember correctly. However it was short and different from anything I've heard in a while, so I'm glad I listened to it.
I know there are some good albums in this genre, and he even made some good music. However, none of it is on this album of what sounds like stoner-cajun-faux voodoo garbage
I don't like how the instruments blend into the background, don't like how the vocals seem unrelated. Then again, this is a low budget 60s album. But that doesn't make it listenable.
genius
Oh man, this is what I’m talking about. It’s so weird. I have a bit of a fascination with the occult, one of my favourite bands as I’ve mentioned before is a Folk-Metal group called Green Lung who make Black Sabbath-esque Hard Rock with lyrics inspired by Pagan rituals and witchcraft, so having an equally spooky sounding record that sounds like an honest to god VooDoo ceremony is way up my street. And it doesn’t hurt that this is also just a really impressive bit of musicianship, it’s got a swampy, murky sound that almost betrays how well layered, structured and dense it is. I’m all in and will absolutely be coming back to Gris-Gris
This is actually insanely good, how have I never even heard of this guy before. It's like a prime-era Tom Waits album but 15 years before that even happens, sounds so ahead of it's time. Every song was interesting, great mix of instruments, range of vocals, it has everything. Makes me fall in love with this challenge all over again.
Fells like a longer album, because it’s so musically dense. Really good.
I feel conflicted. This album sounded like the ramblings of an insane person. But at the same time, I really enjoyed the novelty and artistry of the album.
freaky weird stuff here. Enjoyable goofieness
Very mildly interesting. Didnt catch my ear. Just on the three side of 2.5
Sublime
Some real voodoo vibes going on with this album. This reminded me initially a lot about another album we had on the list (that I can't for the life of me remember) that had a real pirate coven theme going on. It sort of turned out like that as well, but a bit less pirate specific. But it sure gave me tropic vibes. Definitely a special album that stands out, interesting stuff. Not sure it was entirely for me, but it was something else at least!
I mainly knew Dr. John from singing some songs in "Princess and the Frog", fun to here his own music. It was an album of highs and lows. Some of it sounded a bit like Tom Waits in a good way. Most of it was nice to listen to. The sole exception to this was "Croker Courtbuillon" which I found pretty awful. I re-listened to this a few times and I enjoyed it more and more each time. For now a strong 3.
Meh, tylsä ja kaikin puolin keskinkertainen levy.
Oli hyvä levy
This reminds me that this project is about albums we should listen to at least once…not necessarily the 1001 best of all time. Is this one of the top 1001 of all time? I’m arguably not qualified to say. Will I listen to it again? Perhaps. Am I glad I listened to it? 100% yes.
Worth a listen for its strangeness, but I expected more from psychedelic swamp rock.
I can't say I loved this but I didn't mind the listen. Chaotic at times and raw but some interesting sounds. Touted as a psychedelic R&B.
Not my thing. It's a high 2 so I guess that makes it a 3
It's weird, but I don't hate it.
bad
Trippy psychedelic music, sort of laid back rock/funk. Guy sounds like a cross between a gruff Mick jagger and the spirit of jazz. Songs are very much a 'vibe' as opposed to any standout melodies, it's not really for me.
What a bizarre album. More like, musings and thoughts over some snazzy riffs. Wouldn't want to listen again, but appreciate this might be absolutely brilliant for some people.
Probably a bit too out there for me, but actually not bad. Some of it more approachable than others. I actually listened to this again since writing that and I actually started to like it. Quite interesting. Probably not going back, but think this is worth a 3
My only experience with Dr. John before this was his songs with The Band on "The Last Waltz." Crazy interesting album, it's very unique to me to have such a psychedelic album also be very clearly taking so much influence from New Orleans voodoo, songs about gris-gris and roux. Probably never gonna listen again.
A little ethereal and trippy. Simple but just not my fav.
It almost sounds like different recording equipment was used for the background vocals and some instruments. The contrast was a little jarring for me.
this really did nothing for me could i write poetry to this? n
I like the idea of Dr. John more than I actually like Dr. John, but still a fun listen
Oddball music.
Weird and enjoyable.
Loved it for some background music
Odd, but strangely likeable
Have to be one of the godfathers of funk
Wild and weird.
Good
I'd never heard this one before. Lots of really good. Some pretty decent stuff. Nothing I outright hated. Definitely weird and interesting. I won't go back to this much, but I'm glad I know of it now. This is the type of thing I was looking for when I started this challenge.
Weird, but not in a terrible way.
credo di non averlo proprio capito
meh. ma proprio meh.
Atmosfera Vodoo bellissima, sembra di stare nella palude de La Principessa e il Ranocchio Ha spaccato
Ok, vibe da stregone voodoo di New Orleans. Secondo me il cattivo de “La principessa e il ranocchio” della Disney si sparava questa musica durante la sua skincare mattutina.
Sono certo che fosse geniale per la sua epoca
the vibes are decent and it isn't long enough to be miserable but this wasn't very good
I didn’t mind this voodoo album, but it’s one that you have to pick your moment for. Fine to listen to in the bath, perhaps less so in the car.
In a way I’m glad this monstrosity exists, because if I ever have kids I can play this for them and explain it’s what happens when you do drugs to make them never want to do drugs ever.
💖 danse kalinda ba boom 🗣️ 9️⃣
I mean it's voodoo music... So I'm afraid to say anything bad. Let's just say it was interesting but I won't listen again. I did like the New Orleans vibe though.
Strange and spooky. I especially liked Mama Roux.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this music until I read Apple’s description of it. New Orleans swamp meets 1960’s San Francisco psychedelic. It puts it into perspective, and I wish I’d had this in my life two weeks ago when I was actually in New Orleans. It is a truly deep and dark psychedelic experience, and the kind of oddity that I’m always searching for and thrilled to find.
Had a couple good grooves, but was just kinda weird.
Ok, un autre weird d’album, je suis un peu méli-mélo envers lui, l’instrumentation est très riche, mais des fois c’est au désavantage de la musique
Psychedelic New Orleans hippie voodoo. Some of these tunes are pretty good while others meander too long. Dude's got a great voice for this genre, though. Depending on my mood, this is between 3-3.5 stars.
Es interesante...mixturas y sonidos flasheros. Se nota el talento y la técnica. Para mí humilde oído, le falta explosión (es como que suena siempre "apagado").
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.
Bizarre New Orleans sound.
Nö!
This is fun. It has I think just the right amount of psychedelic cheese for my taste. All of the different styles in this are kind of just stewed together, and Dr. John's style very much reminds me of Tom Waits.
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-
Very late 60s early 70s vibe. Nothing stands out against the million other similar drug fueled artistic works that somehow end up on a list like this.
Voodoo, gruselig. Hat was.
Awesome album!
Interesting without being great
Why do I feel like I just got unwittingly indoctrinated into a cult?
I liked the music, but man is that cover horrible, what even is that font
Bonkers
A brilliant discovery, something a bit outside my comfort zone, something I’d never heard of before. I agree with those who say it’s because of things like this that the project is worthwhile. 5/5
That’s a specific vibe
Feels like swampy, sexy, dangerous Louisiana!
Weird and different. Id never heard of Dr. John before and this was really unlike anything else I've heard from that time period. I don't think I really liked it but bonus points just for that.
This is a dark, brooding and absolutely amazing album. I've held off reviewing it for a couple of days, but that's only because I've not been able to get it out my head. "Walk on guilded splinters" is a masterpiece. Love it.
god i'm sorry this album is SO FUCKING COOL MAN. i've known it for a long time now and every time I come back to it, i am continually blown away by the feel of this one. it's an all time vibe album for me, nothing sounds like this album, nothing gives off the vibe of this album. Gris-Gris is a singularity. you're not here for the quality of the lyrics, this album is VIBES ONLY and the vibes of this one are IMMACULATE. it sounds so dark, and so folk-y (in the sense that it's very rough around the edges). to me it perfectly matches the cover of this album, it feels like music being played at some sort of voodoo ceremony.
I think the album cover I enjoyed more than the music. It wasn't bad! And I honestly liked the sort of swamp music that the Dr was leaning into. It just felt kind of short and jumbled. Certainly interesting and I'm glad it is on this list.
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
Waffling drivel that I will never want to hear again
I almost like Jump Sturdy, I Walk on Gilded Splinters
Overraskende banger
Not what I expected having heard some Dr. Dog before, very 1960s funky. Lots of rhythm and beats, vocals are less decipherable than I expected. I feel like this could've been in some Mad Men scenes
Atmosphere is the one thing that should be used to describe Dr. John's debut album. While the voodoo stuff might all be a bit obscure and maybe cliché ridden it surely works as a proper setting for this album you should listen in summer evenings and nights with that certain aura of mysteriousness. But for all the great sounds in the percussion work there are proper relaxing tunes too - 'Mama Roux' must be one of those few songs that are sexy, cool and laid-back enough for a little bit of openmindedness (if you get my meaning). I absolutely adore this album. Dr. John made some other great records which are certainly good - but in a different, less psychedelic and challenging way.
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.
I liked a few tracks a good amount, specifically track 2 (Dance Kalinda Ba Doom). Not something I would listen to every night, but something I could get into every once in a while.
Much more avant garde than I was expecting. Some cool ideas, interesting instrumentation, but overall, I didn't enjoy this album terribly.
Gotta love Dr. John.
Sounds like a drug trip to new Orléans. Songs feel pretty bare and repetitive
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"
woman_trying_kombucha.gif
Cajun Tom waits is a no for me
Wow, I did not enjoy this at all. It just was not in a style that I am interested in, and was really poorly mixed, even by 1960s standards. I can’t imagine making music, and choosing this genre and these songs to be what you record and release.
i liked the album art more than the album but it was fine. makes me wanna hop a train
Of all the albums that could be selected to reflect the rich tapestry of New Orleans rock/blues/zydeco and other music, this is not what I would have picked. For the most frequent review descriptors to be "psychedelic" and "spooky" does not help its case for me. I like swamp rock and zydeco! This was a meandering and interminable experience made worse by looking back from 2024 to see the supposed first exposure for mainstream media of NOLA music be Some Guy from there make a concept album about being a Senegalese Haitian folk healer.
Un univers étrange avec lequel je n'étais pas du tout familier, mais pas inintéressant. On se croirait presque dans les marais de la Nouvelle-Orléans.
not my tempo
This is not for me really. I can see why this is on the list as a boundary pusher, and helped evolve music, but I won't be listening to this again.
what the fuck am i listening to
Liked Mama Roux and Jump Steady. Lots of weird psychedelic stuff. Some started well and became unlistenable . Most songs have Yaya in lyrics. Dig the Latin grooves these cats laid down man. Walk on Gilded splinters a classic
Interesting vibe
Different but not very memorable.
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.
It was ok
This did absolutely nothing for me so I was thankful this was so short. I didn't mind "Jump Sturdy" but that's about it.
I had never listened to a Dr. John album and didn’t know the character and music were so complex and developed.
I wouldn't especially want to listen to it again, so I have to score it quite low, but I liked the style
What a debut. This album is all greasy, swampy vibes and I love it.
no, ma cherie. no.
Clunky.
While an abstract and interesting listen, this is not something that would be any kind of go to for me. Dr. John is a cool cat and an accomplished musician and has also had very notable collaborations including an appearance on Exile on Main Street. 1.5/5 rounded down for this work.
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!!
70's psychedelia. I know Dr. John and like a lot of his music but the only song from this album I had ever heard before was "Walk On Guilded Splinters", which I always found a little creepy -- little did I know it was easily the most normal song on this record. The entire album had a bad acid trip vibe that was hard to really get into. Guilded Splinters and Mama Roux are the best songs here, a lot of the others sounded mostly like voodoo chants. Not really my thing and not representative of other Dr. John stuff.
That was bad.
A wild album. I love Dr John’s voice but a few times I thought the record just meandered around. I did end up enjoying it. But another listen will confirm whether I love it or not. 3/5
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.
I like Dr Johns voice, trippy album, if I was stoned whilst listening, would have probably given it a 4
One of these albums that contains some great material (here, for instance, the first and last song) but can also be really irritating (and for that reason I prefer Gumbo or In the Right Place over this album). overall: $(1+5)/2 = 3$
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.
Very unique album. Spacey, spooky, and funky all in one. It was a cool listen
Dr. John huh? Never heard of this. It's funny there's a Dr. John's lingerie and sex toy store. Says it is a hybrid of New Orleans R&B and psychedelia. Oh 1968, looked kinda 90s for a minute. Well at least it's only 33 min. meh, it wasn't horrid but...2 stars
Not bad. Drug addled and spooky but, as Dr. John's debut release, it carries historical significance. Plus it's only 33 minutes long.
Love Dr. John’s sound, he has the ability to instantly transport you to New Orleans. So unique
Super interesting and unique sound. Probably the closest thing I've heard to Tom Waits.
"Singt" wie Tom Waits, war aber früher?
not my typa music
Hey, something interesting and unique. This was a pretty fun groove
Fairly mad album - certainly an experience. Not sure what to think about it but I think it was worth listening to.
really did not like.
An album where you just hear the Voodoo creeping out of the New Orleans swamps. Slowly.
Eh. Interesting but hallucinogenic psychedelia is not my thing
I can hear the actual inspiration/influence on lots of other artists in this record. Kinda cool.
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
This is fucking awesome bayou witch music. the kind of chaos that sooth the adhd riddled brain
I don't know what to think about this. Slightly scary at times but still kinda groovy.
Rating: 6/10
Asså det här albumet var ändå rätt så vibe. Jag ska erkänna att jag sov stora delar av albumet men skulle kunna tänka mig att typ laga mat till det i bakgrunden. Det kan va så att jag blev så positivt påverkad då jag tvingades lyssna på eurytmics igår😪 Min favoritlåt från albumet var Danse Fambeau (Gav lite Jimi Hendrix- vibes) Albumet får 3/5 stjärnor:)
Meandering music that knows exactly where it's going. A contradiction, but it works. You can smell the swamp...and the gumbo. Come on over. There's plenty for everyone. Grab a spoon and dig in. I cannot help but feel that Dr. John was, at his core, a happy person.
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.
Interesting blend of musical styles.
Three songs in, still waiting for it to pick up, so far it just feels like an intro
icon
good stuff. weird. is captain beefheart = dr. john?
I only knew one song by Dr. John. Right Place Wrong Time is how I remember it. Trying for a mystique, but missing. Weak musicians and poor vocals. one star
An amazing record. He stood on the shoulders of giants, true, but was a remarkable, unique man. The word unique is used too much, but it's the only correct major descriptor for Dr. John. May he rest in funky, multicultural peace.
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.
2.5/5
He's a great songwriter
I could see myself listening to this type of music at a slam poetry night. I would never on my own.
That was a violation of the eighth amendment
painfully terrible. If you took all the bad parts of psychedelic music and mashed it into one album, this would be this album.
absolute trash. i actually had to pause the last track and take a breather. this is pissing me off.
It wasn’t terrible but there is an underlying creepiness to this album. Was hard for me to hear the rock genre but I definitely heard the Louisiana bayou influence. Not my thing, but could be for some. Give it a listen.
He's a diverse fella. Didn't like this one too much but appreciate him more than my affinity for this album would suggest.
This was actually so much fun
Ok, some noise
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.
I think "weird" was the best word to describe this. Not terrible but not something I need to listen to again ! 2*
Liked bits of it. But I don't think I'd seek it out.
Good album. Mostly enjoyable but not really my cup of tea.
Had no idea.
Not really my style. The first song was somewhat promising - sounded a little voodoo trippy like Screamin’ Jay Hawkins - but then it got way too world-music-y for my taste. Seeing as it’s from 1968 there’s probably more context around this than I’m aware of, but on the surface didn’t do much for me.
Very typical New Orleans, definitely recall hearing some of this as a kid. Would be much better as background music at a party vs sitting at my computer. Feels like a movie soundtrack more than a true album too...but maybe that was his goal.
I’m sorry to say that this album needs way more gris gris to help it be less shit shit. Hell…yer gonna find way better sounds of ‘Nawlins listening to zydeco of Beausoleil, Zachary Richard, Wayne Toups, etc. or frankly just walking in a haze down Bourbon Street or catching pop-up street players in the Frenchman Street area. The secret to a good gumbo is in the roux, but if you don’t keep stirring, it turns into a clumpy mess…which this is. Random noise to accompany a ritual voodoo sacrifice I guess? I have no idea. Regardless, the fact that it made the top 500 of all time list is laughable. I’d rather listen to Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.
What is John a doctor of, exactly? Hopefully just confusing voodoo music. I wouldn’t let this person anywhere near my chart. This one just left me with a furrowed brow and a lot of questions. Like “what actually was that?” and “has a spell just been cast upon me?”
Meh
I’m sitting on a DART train after another painful Mavs loss thinking… why do Mavs suck? Why did I listen to a Dr John album today? Why is this album on the Rolling Stone top 500 album list. So many questions, but just one answer… this ain’t good.
Just not my style . But I can't imagine these songs can be played the same way twice, which is sort of cool.
Another weird album but I couldn’t help also liking it. Zydeco, Afro-Cuban, a little jazz - Gumbo is definitely the best metaphor.
I liked this more than I first thought I would. It is definitely music for a different time. Feel like these guys sat around a campfire in the swamp for days on end.
Bleh!
Haunting and trippy with cool percussion
In a way I’m glad this monstrosity exists, because if I ever have kids I can play this for them and explain it’s what happens when you do drugs to make them never want to do drugs ever.
So that's where Gulided Splinters came from.
My only complaint about this album is that it’s way too short.
ancient gold, weired in some ways, relaxing tunes, nice voice
Äh ... Ja ...
Dr John laid it out an did spread his soul
I'm filing this with the other weird 60s psychedelic curios. At least only 33 minutes long. I kinda liked jump sturdy
This is not the worst album we’ve had but it’s the one I engaged with least. I just could not get into it at all.
1001 albums to hear before you die in a voodoo ritual. I liked this more than most psychedelic stuff. It seemed like it was doing its own thing and sounded more natural and less weird for the sake of it. Plenty weird though
Not feeling it at all.
Love the vibe of this album.
Essentially, if Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem met a cross between Randy Newman and the Guess Who... Good listen. Not memorable.
What this list is for
It's not the best album I've listened to at all...
Yea good.
1. gumbo ya ya - 1.5 2. danze kalinda - 1 3. mama rouz - 1 4. fambeauz - 1 5. croker - 1 6. jump zturdy - 0 7. guilded zplinterz - 1
Weird psychedelic voodoo Mashup. I really don't know what to think about it, I don't believe I've heard anything like it before. It was definitely interesting and original. But not something I particularly enjoyed
Now I understand Jon Batiste a lot better!
Nope. Ugly
I never really listed to Dr. John much, so I was thinking this was going to be like the one song I could think of, "Making Whoopie". Was not excited about an album of that. It couldn't have been more different. I actually really enjoyed it, even if it isn't a classic for me.
People think they jive me, Know they must be crazy. I don't see their misfortune, Guess I'm just too lazy. Ju suie le grand zomb' baby, My yellow belt of choison. Ain't afraid of a she-rat, Fill my brains with, fill up my brains with poison. Walk through the fire, children And you fly through the smoke, oh yeah. . Sssee my enemy on the end of a On the end, on a rope. Gris-gris on your doorstep, And soon you'll be in the gutter, children Melt melt your heart like butter now, I can make you, o-o-oh, I can make you ssstutter (Kon)... Kon killy, killy kon kon Walk on guilded splinters. This is some crazy good out there shit. 5/5
well I guess I just found a new favorite musician - 10/10
This album is weird, man. It sounds like a Haight Ashbury hippie tried to make spooky Cajun music using a cookie cutter 60s psychedelic formula. It’s not “bad,” per se, but I don’t know why I’d ever listen to it on purpose, you know? I’d like to give it 2.5 stars because it’s at least *interesting*, but in this format, I think 2 is the play.
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.
Didn't really care for this. Felt unenthusiastic.
It starts like Captain Beefheart, then it goes his way
Groovy!
what the fuck is this? feels like a HORRIBLE fever dream. I wouldn't mind going my entire life without hearing this. In fact, I'd prefer it. album cover is exactly how I would describe this music. 1/5
its like Cajun Van Morrison but not good. Psychadelic Rock is probably one of my least liked genres and this album does it no favors. I cant pinpoint anything good about this at all, what a chore to listen to.
This is the shittiest carnival I ever did see
Kitchy psychy weird
2.4 Not really what I expected as my knowledge of Dr John was limited to the Last Waltz but thought this album was moderately interesting. Mama Roux was a standout
Pourquoi tout est bien je comprends pas
I didn’t care for this too much.
Groovy
Not very good.
Just a bit of a waste of time, at least they're trying to do something, and it doesn't outstay its welcome. Not as bad as some of the other insane shit we've had.
Cool in places, meandering and just plain weird in others. This is the kind of thing that I'm glad is on the list (versus another mediocre alt rock album), but I certainly won't be revisiting. Probably a 2/5.
really cool. never would have heard or listened if not for this site!
Mooie mengeling van new orleans blues en psych rock
Starts really strong, then collapses into nonsense. 3/5
No. 66/1001 Gris Gris Gumbo Ya ya 3/5 Danse Kalinda Ba Doom 3/5 Mama Roux 4/5 Danse Fambeaux 3/5 Croker Courtbullion 2/5 Jump Sturdy 3/5 I Walk On Guilded Splinters 4/5 Average: 3,14 Sometimes a little weird, but overall cool record
In Philadelphia, they call him Dr. Jawn.
Well that was different. Liked the vibe. Didn’t love the song with animal noises. Don’t need to listen to it again.
Unique for sure.
4.6 - Constantly off-kilter, and completely unlike anything else. Others have described this bizarre masterpiece better than I ever could. I especially like the description of the organs on “Mama Roux”: “….sounds more like steam powered organ played at a lizard funeral rather than conventional reeds."