Tim Niland

Blues and Jazz Examiner
Tim Niland is a lifelong jazz and blues fan, who began blogging about music five years ago. In real life, he is a public librarian living in New Jersey.

  

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Best of 2008: So Far

Dr. John - The City That Care Forgot (429 Records, 2008)

July 6, 7:26 PM
 
 

Dr. John - City That Care Forgot
The good doctor is one angry unit. War, natural disaster, and global warming are destroying everything that he holds dear, and the government does nothing but turn a blind eye to the war profitters making a bundle off of the bodies of the fallen. But instead of hanging his head in despair, he his fighting the good fight by putting together this excellent album filled with topical songs that shine a lighton the shameful state of affairs.

“Keep on Going” and “Time for a Change” set the tone for the album, with the band laying down a great foundation of swampy blues, Dr. John rippling the piano like Professor Longhair and singing strongly. He drops the hammer with “Black Gold” calling out the politicians that would throw away their decency and the lives of others for oil, and “My People Need a Second Line” which starts out as a mournful look at post Katrina New Orleans, before kicking out of the depression with a second line strut, it is a masterful performance.

This is a very good album, and all the more so for the courage that Dr. John is showing in the songwriting and performing. This thoughtful and topical album is very highly recommended.
Topics: blues , drjohn
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