NEW ALBUM AVAILABLE 28 JUNE 2010
Tribal, the extraordinary new album by Dr. John shows this great American artist at the pinnacle of his creative powers, making what might be the most complete statement of his musical and personal identity in his 50-year career.The new release comes at a time when Dr. John is being seen on US TV screens in the new HBO drama series "Treme" (from the makers of "The Wire") and returns to the UK for a very high profile tour which includes Glastonbury, The Hop Fam and Cornbury Festivals.
Replete with swamp rock, funk, Creole voodoo, and Mardi Gras Indian chants, Tribal resurrects the magical persona of "The Night Tripper" in his full regalia. At the same time, Dr John displays the rippling piano licks, Cajun-fried humor and sharp political observation that have helped make him a national spokesman for post-Katrina New Orleans.
From its opening statement, "Feel Good Music", Dr. John sets the tone: "Feel good music, doctorate your bones... Call me doc, your medicine man / I got a cure in the palm of my hand..." The title cut, "Tribal", featuring an actual Mardi Gras Indian chief, invoking the spirit of the tribes with references to their solidarity and the sacred healing powers of music. As always, Dr. John has a little help from his friends: NOLA legend Allen Toussaint contributes two songs; and three songs were co-written with the late, great Bobby Charles, a Louisiana legend himself, to whom Dr. John dedicates the album. Other guest stars include slide guitar phenomenom Derek Trucks and jazz great Donald Harrison on alto sax.
The Lower 911 is: Herman "Roscoe" Ernest III - drums, percussion, vocals; David Barard - bass, vocals; John Fohl - guitar, vocals; Kenneth "Afro" Williams - percussion. The album was produced by Herman "Roscoe" Ernest III and Dr. John in New Orleans.
