Dr. John to Release New CD in July

Blue Note Records will release singer-pianist Dr. John’s new album, which carries the nearly unpronounceable title N’awlinz: Dis, Dat or D’udda, on July 13. A press release accompanying our advance of the album describes it as “the most heartfelt musical love letter the city of New Orleans has ever received.” Dr. John, a New Orleans native, conceived this “love letter” as a tribute to the city that has influenced him over the years by both reworking old songs and penning new ones.

N’awlinz features two original tracks, “Quatre Parishe” and “I’m Comin’ Home,” as well as 16 tried-and-true favorites, which Dr. John recorded after assembling an all-star group of New Orleans musicians, including trumpeter Nicholas Payton and drummer Earl Palmer, who played with Dr. John on his first release, 1968’s Gris-Gris. The album boasts numerous collaborations with other famous names, including Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Cyril Neville, Randy Newman, Mavis Staples and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, which just released its own new album, Funeral for a Friend, on Ropeadope.

N’awlinz was recorded at Piety Street recording studio in New Orleans, natch, and was produced by Stewart Levine.

More information on Dr. John can be found at www.bluenote.com.

N’awlinz: Dis, Dat or D’udda track list:

Quatre Parishe

When the saints Go Marching In

Lay My Burden Down

Marie Laveau

Dear Old Southland

Dis, Dat, or D’udda

Chickee Le Pas

The Monkey

Shango Tango

I Ate Up the Apple Tree

Such a Much

Life Is a One Way Ticket

Hen Layin’ Rooster

Stakalee

Eh Las Bas

St. James Infirmary

Time Marches

I’m Goin’ Home

Originally Published May 13, 2004