Dr. John’s music is still alive and well after his departure from this world to the next, with this recently uncovered 1995 German recording with the WDR Big Band showing his perfect gumbo of jazz, blues and New Orleans beyond.
He does a couple solo tunes as well, mixing his leathered voice with a striding piano on a ribald “Tipitina” and earthy “Stagger Lee” with a cozy trio take of “I’m Confessing That I Live You”. He’s bluesy on “Blue Skies” and snarls through “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You.” Sometimes the WDR band is up front and punching like a middleweight as on the swaggering “I’m Just A Lucky So and So” while other times in the background in a supporting role, like during “I Still Think About You.” While the sound is a bit distant at times, the energy is palpable, with the sweat leaking through the shirt on “Goin’ Back To New Orleans.” A verifiable last will and testament.