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A GUESSING GAME AT THE WHISKY |
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Someone confronting Dr. John would probably exhaust dozens of guesses before stumbling on his true occupation -- rock singer. He is costumed like an impoverished witch doctor, wearing spangled make-up, a bizarrely decorated top-hat and layers of shabby shawls and robes that are adorned with ominous trinkets. He has a croaky, drawling voice that makes him sound like a cross between Mick Jagger and Moms Mabley. Judging from the outlandish outfit, one would assume that his act would be teeming with freaky theatrics. But this is not true; the outfit is just an amusing gimmick. The performances of Dr. John, who is at the Whisky through Sunday, are remarkably free of extra-musical activities. In his opening Wednesday night, his lone theatrical device was flinging handfuls of glitter at the dancers below the stage. It was a lusty, enjoyable show. Dr. John, a New Orleans native plays rock that is rooted in the same gay, old New Orleans sound that permeates the music of Fats Domino and Leon Russell. Playing piano, congas and guitar, Dr. John reeled off a string of boisterous, thoroughly satisfying rockers. He was capably accompanied by an instrumental quartet, the Meters, and two shrill female singers who also whacked tambourines and danced suggestively. The group’s most striking number was a parody of patriotism in which Dr. John chanted clever, derisive lyrics while the girls sang excerpts from patriotic classics. Dr.
John was preceded by a buoyant set by soul singer Joe Hicks, a member
of the horde of Otis Redding imitators. Like all the others, Hicks
was only sparingly successful at duplicating the phrasing and distinctive
wails of the late champion soul singer. Hicks was supported by
Team, a huge, cohesive Jazz-rock unit. The most pleasing moments
of the set were Team’s instrumental interludes. |
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