Personnel: Dr. John (vocals, piano, organ); John Fohl (guitar, background vocals); David Barard (bass instrument, background vocals); Herman V. Ernest III (drums, background vocals).
One of New Orleans's favorite sons, Dr. John (aka Mac Rebennack) came to the aid of his beloved hometown after 2005's Hurricane Katrina by issuing this thoughtful EP, which benefits Louisiana-based organizations such as Voice of the Wetlands. While clocking in at only 25 minutes, SIPPIANA HERICANE has the potency of a full album, establishing the mood with the bluesy opener "Clean Water" and then digging into its centerpiece--the four-part "Wade: Hurricane Suite," a composition aimed at providing an air of hope for the devastated city.
Doing what he does best, Dr. John lays down some serious piano and organ grooves, and his backing trio (dubbed "the Lower 911" in tribute to New Orleans's hard-hit Lower Ninth Ward) anchors the vocalist/keyboardist expertly, whether he's navigating through blues, jazz, or gospel passages. In fact, the latter style lends itself to SIPPIANA's finest moment, the soulful eight-minute number "Sweet Home New Orleans," which ends with the heartening lyrics "We're gonna be back; twice as strong." minimize