Crawfish, Hurricane cocktails in a ‘to go’ cup, Mardi Gras, jazz, the Neville Brothers, and Dr. John all bring up memories of one place – New Orleans. Performing only one concert in Sydney, Aaron Neville and Dr. John made up a formidable bill that promised funk, jazz, and dancing. This was Louisiana royalty.
Dr. John was a psychedelic voodoo vision in a royal purple suit, sauntering to his piano at centre stage with his mojo stick and adorned with a gorgeous fedora. The doctor was in the house and the band he brought along seemed ready to accompany him on this journey. The entire audience were in their seats for the slice of Mardi Gras heaven that was ‘Iko, Iko’, a factor that was surely a rare sight for the band.
In 2013, the keyboard gem and vocalist sacked his long-time management and his Lower 911 band. The Nite Trippers, as his new group is called, is made up of Sarah Morrow as cheerleader on trombone, Dave Yoke (who has played with Susan Tedeschi and Scrapomatic) on tasty guitar, and the rhythm section of Dwight Bailey on bass and Reggie Jackson on the skins. The collective delivered the goods, especially during the elongated ‘I Walk On Gilded Splinters’ from the artist’s 1968 release, Gris-Gris.
Dr. John, born Mac Rebennack, also added some guitar licks to a few songs – one being a cover of ‘Let The Good Times Roll’. It was great to see the artist up shaking his talisman and dancing during the set. This man not only lays down the groove, he personifies cool. Keep your eyes and ears open for a celebration of his music to be recorded in New Orleans next month, starring a cast of many from Lucinda Williams to Allen Toussaint as well as the infamous Don Was as musical director.
Despite Dr. John performing a lot of songs from the Dan Auerbach produced Locked Down (2013), the artist did not let down his long-time fans. ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’ and ‘Such A Night’ were both featured and delivered effortlessly. However, it was a shame that more of the Sydney audience could not have reflected the dynamism of this 73-year-old master by shaking their own tail feathers.
The now defunct Neville Brothers were stalwarts of funk, rhythm, blues, and soul. Aaron Neville, the singer who resembles a thug but can sing like an angel, put his stamp all over their songs. His falsetto-tinged tenor was easily recognisable and the quintet he brought along with him delivered warm jazz, pop, and soul in an admirable fashion.
Charles Neville was the “horn man”, as his brother kept calling him, and added beautiful solos and highlights throughout the show. The singer began with a medley of standards that he has recorded through his career, beautifully blending ‘Stand By Me’, ‘Chain Gang’, and ‘There Goes My Baby’ among others.
If the audience reaction was anything to go by, then the second septuagenarian could not quite match the energy of the funky and energetic Dr. John. The vocal prowess was undoubtedly impressive, but as the show continued, there was a slow procession of patrons heading out into the Sydney night.
‘Down By The Riverside’ and ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’ brought us back to the French Quarter and the quiet, warm offerings of Neville and his quintet faded into the Sydney evening. This was a charming double bill that was musically brilliant, but could have been better placed with the funkier Dr. John filling the second slot. Neville still sings like an angel, but the beauty of his music had a tranquilising impact on the gathering. Albeit, it was not a bad way for everyone to take it home, to some sweet dreams, at the start of a long Anzac Day weekend.
