It’s been a year since Dr. John left us to that great Gumbo in the sky, and this reissue of his 2014 tribute to Louis Armstrong is a rich reminder of the Crescent City torch carrier. The album (also available in vinyl) has Mack Rebennack playing piano and organ as well as singing along with a fun list of guests ranging from and including The Blind Boys of Alabama, Nicholas Payton, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval, The McCrary Sisters and Ledisi. It is as joyful and bright as Louis Armstrong’s grin.
Most of the tunes have a joint jumping horn section, giving a soul fest to “What A Wonderful World” with the Blind Boys and Payton, while “Mack The Knife” has Terence Blanchard in a Tower of Power mood with rapper Mike Ladd. The McCrary Sisters are in a gospel mood as Rebennack takes you to an early church service with Ledesi on a down home “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” and a heartfelt “That’s My Home” with Wendell Brunios joining in. As far as trumpeters go, Arturo Sandoval is relaxed on “Memories of You” and James “12” Andrews is gritty with Mac pounding the ivories on “Dippermouth Blues”. As tasty as a beignet at the Café’ Du Monde.