1968 Dr John – Gris-Gris
Gris-Gris is the debut album by Dr John (Mac Rebennack). Produced by Harold Battiste, it was released on Atco Records in 1968. The musical style of Gris-Gris is a hybrid of New Orleans rhythm and blues and psychedelic rock. Despite the New Orleans style, it was recorded in California, albeit with several native New Orleans musicians.
Gris-Gris failed to chart in the United Kingdom and the United States. It was re-issued on compact disc decades later and received much greater praise from modern critics, including being listed at #143 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Before recording the album, Rebennack was an experienced New Orleans R&B and rock musician playing as a session musician, songwriter, and producer in New Orleans. Due to drug problems and the law, Rebennack moved to Los Angeles in 1965, joining a group of New Orleans session musicians. Rebennack survived by playing with various pop and rock recording sessions, receiving much of this work with the help of New Orleanian arranger Harold Battiste.
Rebennack desired to make an album that combined the various strains of New Orleans music behind a front man called Dr. John, after a black man named Dr. John Montaine, who claimed to be an African potentate. Rebennack chose this name after hearing about Montaine from his sister, and feeling a “spiritual kinship” with him. Rebennack originally wanted New Orleans singer Ronnie Barron to front the band as the Dr. John character, but Don Costa, who managed Barron at the time, advised him against it, claiming it to be a bad career move. Rebennack took on the Dr. John stage name himself.
Gris-Gris was recorded at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, California. With an album due and no singer prepared, Dr. John managed to book studio time originally reserved for Sonny & Cher
Tracks
1 Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya (Dr John) 05:38
2 Danse Kalinda Ba Doom (Dr John; Harold Battiste) 03:46
3 Mama Roux (Dr John; Jessie Hill) 03:00
4 Danse Fambeaux (Dr John) 04:57
5 Croker Courtbullion (Harold Battiste) 06:01
6 Jump Sturdy (Dr John) 02:23
7 I Walk On Guilded Splinters (Dr John) 07:39
Media
Musicians
Bass | Bob West |
Bass | Harold Battiste |
Drums | John Boudreaux |
Guitar | Steve Mann |
Guitar | Ernest McLean |
Banjo | Steve Mann |
Mandolin | Ernest McLean |
Keyboards | Mac Rebennack |
Clarinet | Harold Battiste |
Flute | Lonnie Boulden |
Sax | Plas Johnson |
Congas | Mo Pedido |
Percussion | Richard Washington |
Percussion | Mac Rebennack |
Percussion | Harold Battiste |
Background Vocals | Dave Dixon |
Background Vocals | Jessie Hill |
Background Vocals | Ronnie Barron |
Background Vocals | Joni Jonz |
Background Vocals | Prince Ella Johnson |
Background Vocals | Shirley Goodman |
Background Vocals | Sonny Ray Durden |
Background Vocals | Tami Lynn |
Vocals | Mac Rebennack |
Liner Notes
Producer – Harold Battiste
Arranged By – Harold Battiste
Design – Marvin Israel
Photography By – Raphael
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
Mastered At – Longwear Plating