The Best of the Parlophone Years - Dr John Album Review

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Album Review

Maximum funk-fusion from New Orleans troubadour Dr.John.Music's mercurial 'physician',real name Malcolm Rebenneck(born November 20,1942) as Parlophone at long last give his unique repertoire a fresh airing.This superb 17 tracker showcases funk,glitter and voodoo charm to perfection since signing to the label in 1997.Releasing four highly distinctive and eclectic albums,NO's favourite son throws a veritable gumbo from The Night Tripper,the best tracks from his productive eight year span with The Best Of The Parlophone Years,including his own sleeve notes.Along with his unmistakable vocals and keyboard,influencing the likes of The Fun Lovin'Criminals,artists include BB King,Paul Weller,Jools Holland,Randy Newman and Gaz Coombes and Mick Quinn of seminal British indie rockers Supergrass.This album has super-cool written all over it,and is best listened to in your car or headphones.Rippling funky basslines thrust the whole thing forward,with sophisticated layers of keys and brass adding the icing on the cake.There simply isn't a wasted moment.Bonus tracks include the previously unissued Careless Love and Look Out.The one-time Phil Spector session man has failed to make significant commercial inroads on the UK scene,(though his cult status sell out all his shows ),with only one album chart entry in 1998-Anutha Zone.This collection may redress the problem.

Standout tracks: It Don't Mean A Thing,Now That You Got Me,I Ate Up The Apple Tree(featuring Randy Newman).

Elly Roberts