Now we TALKIN’ THE GOOD DOCTOR & THE FESS! | ALBUMS THAT SHOULD EXIST

 

Dr. John and Friends - New Orleans Swamp, PBS Soundstage, Park West, Chicago, IL, 10-30-1974

Paul he says : "Here's a special episode of "PBS Soundstage." It was one of very few that got a special name - "New Orleans Swamp" - because it was a collection of musical acts instead of just one. The main star here was Dr. John. But he was joined by other pivotal musical acts from New Orleans: Professor Longhair, Earl King, and the Meters. All of these were key to the New Orleans sound. Due to the passage of time, there's no doubt a collection of talent like this will never be seen on stage together. 

Dr. John served as the emcee. First, Professor Longhair played a short set, then Earl King did, then the Meters did. Dr. John stayed on stage the entire time, usually playing keyboards. Then Dr. John did an extra long set. Everyone was on stage for the finale, "Big Chief," an Earl King song.

To be honest, many times with these PBS Soundstage shows, I'm not entirely sure where they took place. I try to find out, but when I can't find any definitive information, I assume it took place in Chicago. (As usual, I'm open to corrections.) In this case, I thought the odds were pretty good the show took place in New Orleans, since it was such a gathering of talent all from that city. But I actually found a social media thread on it by other people who had been wondering the same thing, and I was able to find some definitive information about the location and date.

The music here remains unreleased. The sound quality is excellent. If you want authentic New Orleans music, don't miss this!  “We won’t!

This album is 58 minutes long. 

01 talk (Dr. John)
02 She Walks Right In - Shake, Rattle and Roll (Dr. John with Professor Longhair)
03 Tipitina (Dr. John with Professor Longhair)
04 Whole Lotta Lovin' (Dr. John with Professor Longhair)
05 Everyday I Have the Blues (Dr. John with Professor Longhair)
06 talk (Dr. John)
07 Mama and Papa (Dr. John with Earl King)
08 Those Lonely, Lonely Nights (Dr. John with Earl King)
09 talk (Dr. John)
10 Looka Py Py [Instrumental] (Dr. John with Meters)
11 Jungle Man (Dr. John with Meters)
12 Call a Doctor (Dr. John)
13 Qualified (Dr. John)
14 talk (Dr. John)
15 Quitters Never Win (Dr. John)
16 Such a Night (Dr. John)
17 Right Place, Wrong Time (Dr. John)
18 Big Chief (Dr. John & Everyone) 

Much of this is on youTube but it is great to have it all in once place!

 The always understated Dr John and Friends . . . . . . 

"Big Chief" Professor Longhair Earl King Dr. John & The Meters 1974