Search - Dr John :: In a Sentimental Mood

In a Sentimental Mood
Dr John
In a Sentimental Mood
Genres: Blues, Jazz, Pop, R&B, Rock, Classic Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (9) - Disc #1

Mac Rebennack's long commercial drought finally ended in the late '80s with In a Sentimental Mood, an album of pop standards bearing almost no connection to New Orleans R&B roots. His album-opening duet with Rickie Lee...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Dr John
Title: In a Sentimental Mood
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 3
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Original Release Date: 4/25/1989
Re-Release Date: 10/25/1990
Genres: Blues, Jazz, Pop, R&B, Rock, Classic Rock
Styles: Piano Blues, Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 075992588928, 075992588911, 075992588942, 081227779566, 0075992588928, 0075992588928

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Mac Rebennack's long commercial drought finally ended in the late '80s with In a Sentimental Mood, an album of pop standards bearing almost no connection to New Orleans R&B roots. His album-opening duet with Rickie Lee Jones, "Making' Whoopee," was a big hit after it was included on the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack, and it's easy to understand why Harry Connick Jr. fans who'd bought When Harry Met Sally were seduced by this coy come-on. Still, it's odd to hear Rebennack's scruffy baritone in service to such lush, sweeping orchestration (and to hear him sing a line like "I've got a sweet tooth for your sweet heart"). The Doctor does lend a nice bluesy feel to a Satchmo favorite, "My Buddy," and to Charles Brown's classic, "Black Night," and his version of "More Than You Know" is a small miracle of understatement. --Keith Moerer

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CD Reviews

Right Place, Old Time for Dr. John Standards Collection
Anthony G Pizza | FL | 10/25/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"In his liner notes, Dr. John dedicated "In A Sentimental Mood" to Ray Charles and Charles Brown, two masters of urbane piano blues who gave standards their soulful stamp (helping form New Orleans-style rock and roll in the process). Nicely mixing Great American Songbook authors (Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington) with modern, even classic jazzmen (Marcus Miller, Harvey Mason, arranger Marty Paich and even Charles' saxman David Newman) allows Dr. John to give classic songs a coarse New Orleans treatment in what might be considered an early entry among pop standards collections revived in the 1990s (Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, even Sinatra's "Duets" sets)."Sentimental Mood" draws on John's gruff vocals and sly humor, updating the style that made fellow New Orleans jazzman Louis Armstrong a belatedly beloved jazz balladeer. Despite tucking his rollicking piano rolls under producer Tommy LiPuma's trademark soft strigs, John salutes Dave Bartolomew and Fats Domino beside Cole Porter on "Love For Sale" (also quoting Pagliacci and Lalo Schifrin). He gives rock n' roll kick to "Accentuate The Positive" (which became the theme for the short-lived series "Homefront.") His smoky "Candy" gives Ray Charles-esque personal treatment to what had been a showy stylistic exercise. The same can't be said for "Makin' Whoopie," John's duet with Rickie Lee Jones that subdues the naughty plays on words in Eddie Cantor's original and Charles' live cover.Despite Dr. John's fine voice and piano work here, "In A Sentimental Mood" is supplemental for fans of the singer or standards generally. While this was a nice comeback and pointed out new directions for the singer, Dr. John's one-disc "Best Of Dr. John" and "Gumbo" on Atlantic, or his 2CD "Mos Scocious" Rhino anthology speak more to his showmanship and influence."
Please, Dr. John Do Another LIke This One
E. Evans | In the South | 05/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This may not be New Orleans but oh when I discovered it I played it endlessly. Old standards and Dr. John's smoothness. Great songs by some of my favorites, especially Sammy Cahn and Jerome Kern. When you have a good thing why mess with it. Cahn and Kern and Hoagy Carmichael don't need updating or re-arranging. Dr. John treated them just right."
Cool tunes
Charlotte Vale-Allen | CT USA | 09/15/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some of the tracks on this CD are singularly special. "Makin' Whoopee" featuring Rickie Lee Jones is an absolute treat, a very nice pairing. "My Buddy" is just achingly good, as is "More Than You Know." There are some fine musical performances, notably the sax solo by Joel Peskin--edgy and cool. The charts are altogether mellow and Dr. John's gruffly appealing voice is a perfect compliment to his fluid piano playing. These are true "oldies but goodies" -- songs by Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington and Cole Porter. Classic songs by the classic Dr. John.
Recommended."