Things Happen That Way

Dr. John 生前最後のアルバム『Things Happen That Way』、いよいよリリース!
2019年に他界したドクター・ジョンが亡くなる前にレコーディングを完了させていた最後のプロジェクト。
カントリーのカヴァーと自身のオリジナルを合わせた全10曲。
アルバム・タイトルは本作収録カヴァーのひとつ、ジョニー・キャッシュの「Guess Things Happen That Way」に因んだもの。
「Old Time Religion」でウィリー。ネルソン、「I Walk On Guilded Splinters」でリッキー・リー・ジョーンズ、「End of the Line」ではアーロン・ネヴィルがゲスト参加している。

Things Happen That Way is Dr. Johns (Mac Rebennack) last album, recorded during his final months. Suffering from the severe heart disease that would take his life, he finished it -- with a lot of help from his friends -- shortly before his passing. The set was co-produced with guitarist Shane Theriot, who claims with credibility that it received Rebennacks seal of approval upon completion. This is an uncharacteristically intimate Dr. John offering, full of vulnerability, reverie, humor, and a nostalgic longing for the country music he listened to and loved as a kid, hanging around his dads record store. It also includes some of his last originals. The core band on most of this comprises Theriot, bassist Will Lee, keyboardists Jon Cleary and David Torkanowsky, and drummer/percussionist Carlo Nuccio. Several of these tunes are country & western standards presented in the timeless NOLA vernacular Rebennack promulgated across the globe. The opener is a bluesy read of Willie Nelsons "Funny How Time Slips Away." Rebennack delivers the first verse accompanied by Clearys piano before the band and backing chorus enter, ratcheting it up to party mode. A sinister, choogling electric guitar and drum shuffle introduce a dark, prophetic cover of Hank Williams "Ramblin Man," its drama revealed in the singers deeply weathered voice. A few tracks later, he delivers a deeply moving cover of Williams immortal "Im So Lonesome I Could Cry," singing in a raggedly expressive vocal as if comparing the songs sentiment with much of his own history. "Gimme That Old Time Religion" is rollicking, stomping country-gospel given a woolly treatment by the band as Willie Nelson and Katie Pruitt assist on vocals to fine effect -- the tonal and textural contrasts between these three voices is striking. Theres a hip cover of the Traveling Wilburys "End of the Line" with soulful duet and backing vocals from Aaron Neville and Pruitt rolling atop sultry horns and a funky B-3. The original "Holy Water" is a National Steel-driven blues; its lyrics recount Rebennacks 60s-era drug conviction and jail sentence. Pruitts support vocal adds emotional heft to his testimony. Dr. Johns "Sleeping Dogs Best Left Alone," with its fingerpopping horns, recalls the spirit of his albums with the Lower 911. Likewise, "Give Myself a Good Talkin To" offers funky, swinging piano vamps leading the rhythm section and Rebennacks trademark wiseacre vocals in poignant self-assessment. The set closes with "Guess Things Happen That Way." Penned by Cowboy Jack Clement for Johnny Cash, its presented as a bittersweet, country love song with gospel trappings. As Rebennacks emotion-wracked voice quavers and cracks across the lyrics, the band enfolds and buoys him. The only out of place tune on Things Happen That Way is, weirdly, the remake of "I Walk on Guilded Splinters," with Dr. John backed by Lucas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Its well done, but its impossible to improve on the originals spooky perfection. All told, this a fitting, heartfelt, and bittersweet sign-off from an American treasure, and one fans will return to. ~ Thom Jurek