The discography of Mac Rebennack, better known as the inimitable, inscrutable piano and vocal icon Dr. John, is as mixed up as his life was reported to be, especially during his long period of addiction. On the heels of a press release from his estate highlighting the release of four albums since his death five years ago, comes a new collection, Frankie & Johnny.
This album features nine previously unissued songs from the 1981-1982 period during which two solo albums, The Brightest Smile in Town and Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack, were released on the tiny Clean Cuts label. It also includes two alternative takes, which curiously are not listed on the album cover or mentioned in the liner notes. The previously released version of one of those songs, “Boxcar Boogie,” appeared on The Brightest Smile in Town.
The album opens with the title cut and Rebennack immediately gets down to business. His telltale rollicking sound jumps out of the speakers on an instrumental version of the turn-of-the-last-century murder ballad. Most of the other cuts on the album are also solo piano instrumentals.
Of the songs with words, “Hobo Blues” stands out for its wistful lyrics and emotive vocalizing. “I’m a 1000 miles away from home, sleeping in the rain/ I’m a 1000 miles away from home, waiting for a train/ Nobody seems to want me or give me a helping hand/ I never hope to roam again if I ever get home again.” But at two minutes and 45 seconds, the tune is the shortest on the album.
“Conundrum” is among the strongest instrumentals. Dr. John’s bouncy left hand gets a hypnotic groove going, while his right dances over the keys, deftly adding some characteristic single notes. The bridge keeps the groove going, adding a stop-time to great effect.
This release is a welcome addition to the official solo piano discography of Dr. John. Though the liner notes and the estate only acknowledge the previously mentioned solo albums, I have another in my collection, recorded live in New York in 1986. More releases are sure to come, hopefully with the imprimatur of the family given how widespread unauthorized bootlegs were during his lifetime.
