Dr. John's Gumbo

Dr. John's Gumbo released in 1972 is the fifth album by New Orleans singer and pianist Dr. John, a tribute to the music of his native city. The album is a collection of covers of New Orleans classics, played by a major figure in the city's music. It marked the beginning of Dr. John's transition away from the eccentric stage character that earned him a cult following, and toward a more straightforward image based on New Orleans' R&B traditions.

Dr. John's Gumbo
Studio album by Dr. John
Released	April 20, 1972
Studio	Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, Los Angeles
Genre	Rhythm and blues
Length	39:22
Label	Atco
Producer	Harold Battiste, Jerry Wexler
Dr. John chronology
The Sun, Moon & Herbs (1971) Dr. John's Gumbo (1972) In the Right Place (1973)
Singles from Dr. John's Gumbo
"Iko Iko" Released: March, 1972

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Creem	A–[2]
sputnikmusic	[3]

In 2012, the album was ranked number 404 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[4] The album cover was shot in front of the huge mural adorning the wall of The Farmer John Company, (also seen in the movie Carrie), located at Soto Street and Vernon in Vernon, California. The album was on the Billboard 200 charts for eleven weeks, charting as high as #112 on June 24, 1972.[5]

Track listing

1. "Iko Iko" (James "Sugar Boy" Crawford) – 4:08
2. "Blow Wind Blow" (Huey "Piano" Smith, Izzy Cougarden) – 3:17
3. "Big Chief" (Earl King) – 3:25
4. "Somebody Changed the Lock" (Mac Rebennack) – 2:42
5. "Mess Around" (Ahmet Ertegün) – 3:09
6. "Let the Good Times Roll" (King) – 3:56
7. "Junko Partner" (Bob Shad) – 4:27
8. "Stack-A-Lee" (Traditional) – 3:28
9. "Tipitina" (Professor Longhair) – 2:04
10. "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" (King, Johnny Vincent) – 2:30
11. "Huey Smith Medley" (Smith, Vincent) – 3:17
    1. "High Blood Pressure"
    2. "Don't You Just Know It"
    3. "Well I'll Be John Brown"
12. "Little Liza Jane" (Smith, Vincent) – 2:59

Personnel

Musicians

• Dr. John – guitar, piano, cornet, vocals
• Lee Allen – tenor saxophone
• Ronnie Barron – organ, piano, backing vocals
• Harold Battiste – clarinet, saxophone, horn arrangements
• Morris Bechamin – saxophone, backing vocals
• Jimmy Calhoun – bass
• Sidney George – harmonica, saxophone
• Shirley Goodman, Tammy Lann, Robbie Montgomery, Jessica Smith – backing vocals
• Ken Klimak – guitar
• Dave Lastie – saxophone
• Melvin Lastie – trumpet, cornet
• John Ewing – trombone
• Alvin Robinson – guitar, backing vocals
• Fred Staehle – drums, percussion
• Richard Washington – percussion

Technical

• Harold Battiste – producer
• Jerry Wexler – producer
• Keith Olsen – engineer
• Tom Wilkes – design, photography
• Barry Feinstein – design, photography

References

1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Dr. John's Gumbo" at AllMusic. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
2. Christgau, Robert (August 1972). "The Christgau Consumer Guide". Creem. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
3. g, manos (July 28, 2014). "Review: CD Dr. John - Dr. John's Gumbo Album". sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
4. "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. May 31, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
5. "Billboard 200 - June 24, 1972". Retrieved July 19, 2017.