Album of the Day

As a teen disciple of Professor Longhair and a regular visitor to the Ace recording studios, Mac Rebbenack – better known as Dr. John – grew up with the music of New Orleans, and he pays joyous tribute to it on GUMBO. After a couple of albums incorporating late-'60s psychedelic influences, Dr. John went back to his roots on this outstanding 1972 album, which features spirited covers of songs made famous by artists like The Dixie Cups (“Iko Iko”), Huey “Piano” Smith (“Don't You Just Know It”) and of course the great 'Fess (“Tipitina”). There are Crescent City luminaries in the studio as well as the songwriting credits here; Dr. John is accompanied by a great band including local legends Lee Allen and Harold Battiste on saxophones. Named one of the Top 500 albums of all time by Rolling Stone, the savory GUMBO helped re-popularize New Orleans music, and it remains one of Dr. John's signature albums.