A wonderful slice of New Orleans funk history that would certainly qualify as rare grooves. This 1973 recording has been issued incomplete on a couple of European bootlegs but it always had a very flat, unappealing sound. After many unsuccessful attempts, 7 or 8 years ago I actually managed to perk it up and give the recording some life. Good thing too, this is one of the only documents of the actual everyday working band of this period and this recording catches them on a really, really good day. (Mac’s own description of this band admits they were a hard partying bunch.) And what a band it is! The roster of this ultimately funky ensemble (named The Rampart Street Sympathy Orchestra by Professor Longhair) is:
Dr John piano, guitar
John Boudreaux drums
Robert Lee Popwell bass
Sugar Bear Welch guitar
Daryll Leonard cornet and trumpet
Jerry Jummonville tenor sax
Bobbie Montgomery & Jessie Smith vocalsThe venue was a weekly live radio spot for WLIR in Hempstead, NY (Long Island) that took place (ironically) at Ultrasonic Studios. This was more than 3 years before the famous New Orleans Ultrasonic Studio was even built. The show is deep voodoo funky and wonderfully tight (even with the interruption for the interview with the stunned DJ which I have edited out). This here is simply the best damn Dr John album you never heard.
Dr John the Night Tripper and the Rampart Street Sympathy Orchestra live in Hempstead, NY 1973 [Uber Std mp3]
[From The KingCake Crypt: Dr John @ Ultrasonic Studios, NY 1973]