Dr John: Ske Dat De Dat – The Spirit of Satch

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Bonnie Raitt (g, v)
Anthony Hamilton (v)
Arturo Sandoval (t)
Nicholas Payton (t)
Dr John (ky, v)
The McCrary Sisters (v)
The Blind Boys of Alabama (v)
Terence Blanchard (t)
Ledisi (v)
Shemekia Copeland (v)
Telmary (v)

Label:

The Last Music Company

June/2020

Media Format:

LP, CD

Catalogue Number:

LMLP/CD 221

RecordDate:

10-13 December 2013, 2-3 January, 2014 and 24 February 2014

Maybe they should have released Locked Down (the late good Doctor's 2012 collaboration with Black Keys hero Dan Auerbach) instead of this, to mark our current curious days of challenge. That said, this limited vinyl (and CD) re-issue is fitting as it's released on the anniversary of Mr Rebennack's passing on 6 June last year. Now he's at that great gig in the sky with Nawlins' soul brother Satchmo, whose music is celebrated here.

Both Rebennack and Armstrong relish theatrical hokum, and there's enough here to melt the hardest of hearts, notably the collaboration with Bonnie Raitt, ‘I've Got the World on a String’. There's also a well nailed ‘What a Wonderful World’ replete with a swelling chorus from The Blind Boys of Alabama and a starburst solo from the ever-reliable Payton; and Payton likewise lifts the dirt tanged ‘Gutbucket Blues’.

And there are unexpected bonuses: Telmary's Cuban rap, spiked with Sandoval's horn gives a fresh take on ‘Tight Like This’, while Mac steps back from vocals on ‘Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child’ to let Hamilton's gospel-rich soul shine through. An hour's worth of dreams to wrap your troubles in.

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