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Dr. John, The Night Tripper
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The Sun, Moon & Herbs (1971)
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1. |
Black John The Conqueror
6:23 |
2. |
Where Ya At Mule
4:58 |
3. |
Craney Crow
6:43 |
4. |
Familiar Reality-Opening
5:29 |
5. |
Pots On Fiyo (File Gumbo)- Who I Got To Fall On (If The Pot Get Heavy)
5:52 |
6. |
Zu Zu Mamou
8:00 |
7. |
Familiar Reality-Reprise
1:50 |
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Originally intended as a triple album, The Sun, Moon & Herbs was chopped up, whittled down and re-assembled into this single-disc release, and while Dr. John never liked this version much, perhaps the single disc is testament to the "less is more" theory.
The seven cuts are all quite lengthy and the spells Dr. John and his consorts weave are dark and swampy. "Black John the Conqueror" comes from old Cajun folklore which the good Dr. has modernized and given a beat. The swampy "Craney Crow" is the younger sibling of his earlier "Walk On Guilded Splinters" and has a similar effect on the listener. "Pots on Fiyo (Fils Gumbo)" combines Latin American rhythms with lots of Cajun chants and spells. The vocals are nearly incomprehensible and actually serve as another instrument in the mix. "Zu Zu Mamou" is so thick that you can almost cut the music with a knife. Here, the atmosphere takes on a whole other meaning altogether.
The Sun, Moon & Herbs is best listened to on a hot, muggy night with the sound of thunder rumbling off in the distance like jungle drums. Dr. John was definitely onto something here, but just what is left up to the listener.
01 - Black John The Conqueror
02 - Where Ya At Mule
03 - Craney Crow
04 - Familiar Reality-Opening
05 - Pots On Fiyo (File Gumbo)- Who I Got To Fall On (If The Pot Get Heavy)
06 - Zu Zu Mamou
07 - Familiar Reality-Reprise
Label: ATCO Records
Released: 1971
Catalogue: 7567-80440-2
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