Dr. John playing 'Blueberry Hill'

[Br0thersGrim]

Fats Domino put a rock spin on his music as those were the days and Fats was an amazing musician. Dr. John takes every song and adds that cajun/creole flavor to it and makes it his own.

[PassTheMarmalade1957]

I don't know how he does it! He looks like he's not even trying, and yet it all comes out flawlessly!....Well, no, not flawlessly, because a technically 'flawless' performance would be bland and boring. The thing I love about the great Dr. John is that he does not have what you would call the 'greatest voice in the world', but it's a voice that just oozes character, charm, and is completely unique and one of a kind. And as for his playing....Well, I don't really need to go there, do I?

[Tonio020589]

soooo nice!

[dlp2006]

brilliant, great left hand

[pundit19]

I don't give a **** what he's on, just enjoy it. Thank you maddermofo and mac.

[biglinguist]

I dunno, I think his time is pretty good on this. He's deliberately slowing down and camping up on the notes leading into the 4th on the bridge and back into the tonic on the verse(s) after the bridge(s), but I took that as a nod (no pun intended) to an over-the-top 30s-40s style of playing.

[IndependentGeorge76]

he's blatantly on the nod this whole session, and on a later instructional DVD one for Homespun. indulging in a little Tragic Magic, as he would say. anyone into the Doc should read his auto-biography, no doubt. as for the comment about his 'heroin period', that was a forty year habit he had...

[jontheid]

@IndependentGeorge76 He may well be under the influence of narcotics, but he is most definitely not 'on the nod' - he is fully conscious, aware, and playing majestically. Heroin users 'on the nod' are far less entertaining.

[IndependentGeorge76]

@jontheid i dont think Mac could play any way other than majesctically. no critiscms from me - pretty much all the greats of that era were users - Booker, Dr John, Art Pepper, Charlie Parker, Miles etc etc etc the list goes on, but the music remains

[alcatrakz]

Doctor John is my bromance and makes me want to brogasm.

[331paradiddle]

Dr John is a master. Everything doesnt have to be technical. This has so much soul it doesnt need anything else. Listen and learn

[dlp2006]

superb

[MsJedunn]

Hey, Dr. John, I just heard one of the songs you wrote, "Change of Address" sang by Joyce Dunn on YouTube. Not sure how it got there, but thought you should know. It was nice hearing it again, but since this was a demo, should it be playing without yours or my permission? Please advise, Joyce

[insomnia759]

you can be maintained on pure heroin for your entire life, the rich get it, and survive well, the rest of us take the shit. Mac has no problem and anybody of immense creativity can try and hack it, its not for most of us, he is the biz, love him! So when you talk about heroin, get informed. It does kill. and it also enlivens our lives! My bank manager aint no fun I can tell you! And he seems to be drinking himself to death ha ha.

[terrryc]

The dangerous truth about narcotics is that they give you a tremendous "feel" for music, but at what cost? That's the "reason" why so many get into it. I don't think that getting a Habit going is worth it, but it's a free country, dig?

[mlehj]

@terrryc so true

[bartie55]

He doesn't even look at his piano!

[JaySewallBlues]

Dr John is a KING!

And he has always given credit to the other greats before him.

[nickeyparadise]

@bostonironworker...I think this was during the good Dr.'s heroin period...You see how relaxed his playing is...Its a wonder he doesn't fall off the piano stool.

[Tagmation]

@nickeyparadise  I found my thriiiiillllllllll PLOP :)

[chyckberru]

Avec le Doc ce sont des versions définitives qu'il nous livre. Il devrait s'appeler le Professeur. Après l'avoir entendu on n'ose plus jouer du piano. Je pense que c'est le meilleur interprète du style New-Orleans de tous les temps !

[bostonironworker1]

GREAT VERSION,,LOVE THIS GUY,,,HES HIGH AS A MOTHERFUCKER HERE TOO,,,,AND NOT OFF OF WEED

[MOUSSE74700]

Bonjour Monsieur , Superbe , Félicitations.

Hello Sir, haughtiness, congratulations.

[steveski74]

Wow



[willbennettpiano]

I love Dr. John, have seen him in concert in Ann Arbor. I'm a young upstart piano player. You can here my version at willbennettpiano.

[willbennettpiano]

I love Dr. John's piano style and this song! You can check out my piano version of this song at willbennettpiano on youtube.

[gabaunion]

The hands dont add up

'specialy not with the eyes.

The whole vibe is out of kilter.

Whats he been smoking?

[gabaunion]

Thats one clever guy.

Way beyond my level.

[VercingetorixXIII]

he is gone now miss you dr jphn if you not gone, will miss you when u are but I think you gone now'ignacius forever.... ignacius c riley forever, walking away with Mina...

[jordanmcpartland]

@VercingetorixXIII he hasnt died ? he was even performing at glastonbury ffs!

[VercingetorixXIII]

@jordanmcpartland somehow I got the idea he had died, read it somewhere or misunderstodd something, glad he is not gone.... thanks

[samofshs11]

dr. john is hands down the best piano player i have ever heard or heard of.

[doninsj]

A great version of Blueberry Hill. I like Fats version too, but this is more gritty, down-home, and has some bite to it. Dr Johns piano work is amazing as he works both hands so equally well.

[mamushkin]

I'm in Awe.

[soneskr]

He'z fully Chiba'd Out.... very talented man tho :P

[SYVZS]

What generous guy to put these on!! So instructional..

[TheUndergrnd]

why does he look doped out? is dr john a junkie?

[jordanmcpartland]

@TheUndergrnd its cos he loves the blues so much hes like proper into it and looks stoned but hes just enjoyin and relaxing to the music

[oscarpliego1001]

Estaba buscando una versión de esta canción y nunca imaginé encontrar al Dr. John, realmente creo que es la mejor. Por cierto alguien me puede decir dónde hallar la partitura para piano gracias.

[EvilPhallus]

So Heavy. Dr. John rules - really heavy.

[ragtime1000]

Love your style Mac. Bet that Fats loved it too.

[Sayeret1]

You HAVE to be from LOOZIANA to sing this properly, way to go Mac.

[avril2]

It occurs to me that if you need the dots to play this style of music, you are not ready or don't feel it.

Just mess around until you find it.

[llittlef]

You can't just "mess around" until you figure out how to play this, unless you have some inate talent and serious patience to learn how to play by ear.

[Ellie2847]

You can just SEE his natural talent - playing all that BY EAR. Not a sheet of music ANYWHERE!

[macaroon666]

from memory, not by ear

[dannybellis]

he's mastered the piano for sure!! I think this song is GREAT better than fats... i must say..

[Ellie2847]

You have a fabulous VOICE and amazing piano talent. How GREAT!

[jonasjar]

Not that I know much about piano playing but this is wonderful, Dr John is always a good watch no matter what he does. Does Fats sing better? I don't mind.

[ido2012]

can anyone tell me please where can i find free notes for this version please?

[Heeey333]

voice sounds like crap

[notraep]

that is the Dr John style of singing and it is how he has alwas sung, i dont see anyone else complaining

[kiver83bishop]

It´s all about variations. People are different and musical versions will always be different like people behind the music. That´s why music is a living breathing entity.

[dodgie6]

Lovely!

[fedatinawolf]

dr. john is simply incredible with the piano..!!

[ftjax]

Sounds a little "muddled" on the low keys.

Like Fats better

[fonkymiracle]

fats did not play the piano parts on many of his recordings. you probably like james booker (who played many of them... at a young age too... don't remember).

[oldrockandrollero]

maybe because of the accident he had in his hands while he was working.

[jacquescovo]

I agree with andreboogie's comment of 4 months ago.

[ewr2112]

a simple THANK YOU will do....?

[ita1199]

simply amazing

[batsinyourbelfry]

Some of these commentors think Dr. John put this on the net himself! This is a great version, I think it's actally better than Fats usually plays it, & far from beng rushed, as one suggested.Furthermore, it's an informal clinic thing.He's keeping his own time, no cheating with drum machines or clubbers with headphones feeding them the meter. The song is originally from 1930's or earlier, before Fats. Though I dig how Fats plays things, a lot, especially Blue Monday, Walking Through N.O.& others.

[maddermofo]

Thanks for your constructive comment friend. As you can see some people have no appreciation for the Doc's talent. The way in which this guy can play isn't exactly seen all the time is it?!

[batsinyourbelfry]

Indeed, & thanks. I'll eventually send you one or two postings with stuff I play, which are scattered over a few usernames. Good going, on uploading the "Doc." If there are more you posted, I'll find them and listen to those, later, as well.

[Gary198101]

@maddermofo Thanks for uploading these, great versions of the songs as only Dr. John can portray them. Fats left hand was just a little further up on the keyboard. This is a swing song version of the song but definitely worthy of the credit it has gotten.

[ljs890]

Well said... It shits me when people say stuff like "it's too fast"... wtf! Why would you even say that! If they could play 1/100th as well as Dr. John, they might also be world famous.

You have been +1'd by me.

[batsinyourbelfry]

LJS, thanks. While there are things about Dr. John's whole voodoo persona thing, which I don't particularly care for, as far as music ability and performing go, the guy is phenomenal. Anyone who can't see that is either ignorant or tone deaf. I'd like Dr.'s music-famous or not.Negativity aimed at overrated stars is one thing,but this fad of negativity from people who are probably so green-behind-the ears, they'd be better-advised to keep their tongue, is another.Rhythm machines produce boredom.

[andreboogie]

I think they bassline is one octave too low for my liking.

[whiteraven6670]

I agree. I think Fats Domino played it an octave higher.

[Immaculate416]

Dr. John's playing sounds rushed and hes trying to sound like Fats Waller. What do you think??? I think hes a good piano player as demonstrated on the video with BB king in "Sweet Sixteen" but far from original and far from exceptional.

[crazypianolady]

Hmmm yeah I think it sounds a bit too fast for my liking. I mean it's his version so whatever floats his boat!

[chrismarx85]

Yeah DR.

[allendale1962]

I envy your talent on this one!

[gagakym]

denver, if you could score this .....

[turntapzap]

Did he play in Bowie's band during the Serious Moonlight tour?

[denvernuggets31]

got any sheet music???