Dr. John’s final studio album to be released
The "Night Tripper's" final studio album will be released in 2022
Last updated 15th Jun 2022
Dr. John's final studio album has been revealed - Things Happened That Way - and will be released in 2022.
Things Happen That Way asserts how Dr. John remained wholly unpredictable, alchemizing the charmed simplicity of traditional country into a wildly enchanting body of work.
Over the course of his six-decade-long career, Dr. John embodied a near-mythic multitude of musical identities: a global ambassador of New Orleans funk and jazz and R&B, visionary bluesman, rock and roll innovator, hitmaker, self-anointed and massively revered high priest of psychedelic voodoo.
Things Happen That Way marks the fulfilment of a longtime goal of the legendary singer-songwriter-pianist, who first began plotting a country-inspired album decades ago. In bringing his album’s songs to life, Dr. John drew on a lineup of musicians befitting of a universally beloved luminary. Along with an elite cadre of New Orleans session players, the album’s personnel include icons Willie Nelson and Aaron Neville, and rising stars Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real.
Though much of Things Happen That Way bears an exquisitely reflective mood, the album also offers up several new uptempo originals from Dr. John: “Holy Water” (a savvy and poignant look back at his early-’60s criminal charge for narcotics and subsequent two-year prison sentence, with backing vocals by Katie Pruitt), “Sleeping Dogs Best Left Alone” (a swinging and self-aware piece that knowingly speaks to the danger in playing with proverbial dynamite), and “Give Myself A Good Talkin’ To”(a world-weary but high-spirited reflection on the vicissitudes of human nature).
The album’s liner notes, penned by Rebennack’s longtime friend, renowned television producer Ken Ehrlich (creator of PBS’ groundbreaking music series Soundstage, and producer of the GRAMMY Awards for four decades) offer the sage observation that Things Happen That Way is “the most personal and intimate journey into his soul that has ever been put on tape.”
When will Dr. John's Things Happen That Way be released?
Dr. John's Things Happen That Way will be released on 23 September 2022 via Rounder Records, and will be available via vinyl, CD and digitally.
Dr. John - Things Happen That Way track listing:
- Funny How Time Slips Away
- Ramblin’ Man
- Gimme That Old Time Religion (feat. Willie Nelson)
- I Walk On Guilded Splinters (feat. Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real)
- I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
- End Of The Line (feat. Aaron Neville)
- Holy Water
- Sleeping Dogs Best Left Alone
- Give Myself A Good Talkin’ To
- Guess Things Happen That Way
Who was Dr. John?
Malcolm John Rebennack Jr, aka Dr John, was a New Orleanian singer-songwriter who embodied the music of his hometown, merging blues, jazz and R&B to create his own distinctive style. You can find out more his life and work here.
Watch and read more:
WATCH: Mamas Gun performing 'Good Love' - Jazz FM Session
Dr. John: Get to know the Night Tripper
WATCH: Curtis Stigers 'This Life'