On
Dr. John
's first major-label effort, and first vocal studio album in ten years, he performs a set of
pop standards
including
Cole Porter
's
"Love for Sale"
and
Johnny Mercer
"Accentuate the Positive."
After starting out with a wild stage act and unusual costumes,
has evolved into a vocal stylist and piano virtuoso, which makes the idea of doing this sort of material appealing. And he does it well, turning out a leisurely duet with
Rickie Lee Jones
on
"Makin' Whoopee"
that won a Grammy (Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group), and giving sad feeling to
"My Buddy."
Maybe he has changed since the
Gris Gris
days, but even a mellowed
is a tasty one. ~ William Ruhlmann