BBC Review
Business as usual for the former Night Tripper, then. But business that's most welcome...
Chris Jones2002
The title says it all. New Orleans' mos' scocious resident follows up last year's rush-released charity album withone built around the work of legendary lyricist and composer, Johnny Mercer: A man whose roots also lay in the deep south, being born in Savannah, Georgia.
Most people have at least one Mercer song lodged in their unconscious. For more than half a century his collaborations with giants such as Hoagy Carmichael and Harold Arlen defined 20th century popular song. Fans of his work as interpreted by greats such as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby may however be surprised by the good Doctor's arrangements.
Delivered in the easy style of Crescent City, classics such as "Dream", "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby" and "Lazy Bones" are morphed effortlessly into the typical gumbo variations that we associate with Mr Mac Rebennack. His band The 9-11 sway and bump while the Doctor's piano adds all kinds of spicy detail.
Business as usual for the former Night Tripper, then. But business that's most welcome...
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