Great piece, Marc. I was particularly interested to read about Lake Pontchartrain.
I've known the song The Lakes of Pontchartrain for many years, mostly through the Irish singers Paul Brady and Christy Moore, but never having visited the area, I had no idea of the scale involved. So thank you.
We're very proud of Dr John, here in Scotland, what with him being named after the Scottish king Malcolm (he referred to this on occasion over here) and his mother's maiden name being Cronin, which is also the name of a popular Scottish author from some years ago.
On one of his UK tours Dr John played one of the most unlikely gigs ever - in the small Perthshire town of Blairgowrie in a pub called The Gig. A friend of mine wrote a song about it, Mac Rebennack's Visit to Blairgowrie, which became quite famous locally as people didn't believe it was true - it was true all right. It's here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz4kKbCxvrw
Hey Marc -- Killer reminiscence about your time with Mac, as well as a rundown of his posthumous discs! After I spent a day with Mac Rebennack (aka Dr. John), I began compiling what I called Dr. John's Mactionary — a glossary of Dr. John-isms. I eventually published it in MOJO magazine as a tribute after Mac died. I'm sure you heard some of his "slanguage"! I posted excerpts below.
While living in a Latino neighborhood in New York City, Dr. John was asked by Abby Ellin of The New York Times if he spoke Spanish. “No,” he responded. “I don’t even speak English.” Mac’s neologisms are almost as legendary as his music and can cause Inflection Infection – the addictive habit of talking like Dr. John.
-- Michael Simmons
electrickery – electricity
prepostulous – preposterous
slammin’ – great, e.g. “The gig was slammin’!”
fonknology – the study of all things fonky
lames – unhip people
confusement – confusion
plex – a psychological complex, e.g. “Don’t give yourself a plex.”
textile – text, as in text message – (His textiles “were always one word made of many, never a space and they went on forever,” says friend and publicist Karen Dalton-Beninato.)
pimento – memento, e.g. a pimento of the occasion
off the hook – beyond the norm
jaw-jerkin’ -- talking
hang that jacket on you – give a nickname to
edumacation – education
whatsonever – not at all
botheration – troublesome entity
meat world — physical presence
desitively — definitely positively
bonnaroo — great, e.g. desitively bonnaroo (“I should’ve trademarked that one,” said Mac)
I had "off the hook" in the longer version and forgot! The great thing about the Mactionary is it's a living document cuz Mac improvised countless original Dr. John-isms and I add 'em as people remember 'em!
I got into Dr. John around 1968 or 69 when some local DJ here in Boston, probably on WBCN, started playing his album “Gris-Gris”..probably some time late at night, well after the bewitching hour.. it sure wasn’t standard fare in mid America those days..
Marc, thanks for this marvelous article and sharing the great story from your interview. I woke up this morning and read your Paul Desmond piece, and now this gem about the one and only Dr. John. This is a good day!
When I was in the USAF stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi I went to New Orleans on my motorcycle..on the way back I headed northward over the causeway of Lake Ponchartrain.. that was in 1963/63.. there was only one two way traffic bridge at that time..
I had no idea of the length of it and when I finally got to the end and got off I breathed a sigh of relief.. it was a nerve racking ride in those days of two way traffic..
What a deeply personal imprint you’ve made upon this article…..what an absolutely unique interview. Love the narrative about traversing the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway; the reader is with you all the way to Mac’s house. I would guess that trip must have a special place among your memories.
New Orleans has always held a great fascination for me, ever since my first visit as a college student: the food, the sounds, the presence of the great river, the spicy gumbo of its people, the history that still permeates the Vieux Carre, all make it one of the world’s great cities (total lack of any objectivity here!) The life & music of Dr. John are potent symbols of the unique & colorful culture of that City.
Not exactly Jazz, but one of my favorite recordings is “Crescent City,” the suite Paul Weston composed, as homage to the city.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Lee. A privilege to do what I do and have done. When I can take you, the reader, along for the adventure, I'm doubly happy. I'm never there for me; I'm always there for you, to entertain, educate and excite. Glad you enjoyed. Love Paul Weston. Almost time for a post.
What a great post. 👍 I didn't know much about Dr. John. In the last three hours I heard and saw some of your clips. I had planned my evening differently, but it turned into a Dr. John evening. 🙂
Wonderful history here and thanks for sharing. I lived in Mandeville for several years and still today there is Ruby’s Roadhouse. An old roadhouse bar not far from where he lived where local artist play in weekends.
Great story, thanks so much. I also had the pleasure of interviewing Mac, in Amsterdam, early 1990s. He had a baby grand in his hotel room and played me a history of New Orleans piano and explained in depth the style of Professor Longhair.
Great piece, Marc. I was particularly interested to read about Lake Pontchartrain.
I've known the song The Lakes of Pontchartrain for many years, mostly through the Irish singers Paul Brady and Christy Moore, but never having visited the area, I had no idea of the scale involved. So thank you.
We're very proud of Dr John, here in Scotland, what with him being named after the Scottish king Malcolm (he referred to this on occasion over here) and his mother's maiden name being Cronin, which is also the name of a popular Scottish author from some years ago.
On one of his UK tours Dr John played one of the most unlikely gigs ever - in the small Perthshire town of Blairgowrie in a pub called The Gig. A friend of mine wrote a song about it, Mac Rebennack's Visit to Blairgowrie, which became quite famous locally as people didn't believe it was true - it was true all right. It's here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz4kKbCxvrw
Lovely, Rob!
In the '80s in New Orleans Dr. John was like hot water: always on [performing somewhere]
Louis Armstrong has a statue
Where is Mac Rebennac's?
Hey Marc -- Killer reminiscence about your time with Mac, as well as a rundown of his posthumous discs! After I spent a day with Mac Rebennack (aka Dr. John), I began compiling what I called Dr. John's Mactionary — a glossary of Dr. John-isms. I eventually published it in MOJO magazine as a tribute after Mac died. I'm sure you heard some of his "slanguage"! I posted excerpts below.
While living in a Latino neighborhood in New York City, Dr. John was asked by Abby Ellin of The New York Times if he spoke Spanish. “No,” he responded. “I don’t even speak English.” Mac’s neologisms are almost as legendary as his music and can cause Inflection Infection – the addictive habit of talking like Dr. John.
-- Michael Simmons
electrickery – electricity
prepostulous – preposterous
slammin’ – great, e.g. “The gig was slammin’!”
fonknology – the study of all things fonky
lames – unhip people
confusement – confusion
plex – a psychological complex, e.g. “Don’t give yourself a plex.”
textile – text, as in text message – (His textiles “were always one word made of many, never a space and they went on forever,” says friend and publicist Karen Dalton-Beninato.)
pimento – memento, e.g. a pimento of the occasion
off the hook – beyond the norm
jaw-jerkin’ -- talking
hang that jacket on you – give a nickname to
edumacation – education
whatsonever – not at all
botheration – troublesome entity
meat world — physical presence
desitively — definitely positively
bonnaroo — great, e.g. desitively bonnaroo (“I should’ve trademarked that one,” said Mac)
karackta (kah-RACK-tuh) – eccentric character
goof – mood, e.g. ‘That movie changed my goof.”
dynamicals — dynamics
NICKNAMES
Sonny and Cheryl — Sonny and Cher
John Lemmon & Paul McCarthy — Lennon & McCartney
Omlet – Ahmet Ertegun, Atlantic Records honcho
Mississloppy – Mississippi
2Cent – Toussaint, i.e. Allen Toussaint
Thanks, Michael. So shrewd and wonderful on your part. Really captures the colorful quality of Mac.
And you captured the colorful and knowledgeable quality of Mac's musicality!
Off the hook, Mikey - I can hear these in his voice!
I gotta add "off the hook"!
I had "off the hook" in the longer version and forgot! The great thing about the Mactionary is it's a living document cuz Mac improvised countless original Dr. John-isms and I add 'em as people remember 'em!
I got into Dr. John around 1968 or 69 when some local DJ here in Boston, probably on WBCN, started playing his album “Gris-Gris”..probably some time late at night, well after the bewitching hour.. it sure wasn’t standard fare in mid America those days..
Marc, thanks for this marvelous article and sharing the great story from your interview. I woke up this morning and read your Paul Desmond piece, and now this gem about the one and only Dr. John. This is a good day!
When I was in the USAF stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi I went to New Orleans on my motorcycle..on the way back I headed northward over the causeway of Lake Ponchartrain.. that was in 1963/63.. there was only one two way traffic bridge at that time..
I had no idea of the length of it and when I finally got to the end and got off I breathed a sigh of relief.. it was a nerve racking ride in those days of two way traffic..
What a deeply personal imprint you’ve made upon this article…..what an absolutely unique interview. Love the narrative about traversing the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway; the reader is with you all the way to Mac’s house. I would guess that trip must have a special place among your memories.
New Orleans has always held a great fascination for me, ever since my first visit as a college student: the food, the sounds, the presence of the great river, the spicy gumbo of its people, the history that still permeates the Vieux Carre, all make it one of the world’s great cities (total lack of any objectivity here!) The life & music of Dr. John are potent symbols of the unique & colorful culture of that City.
Not exactly Jazz, but one of my favorite recordings is “Crescent City,” the suite Paul Weston composed, as homage to the city.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Lee. A privilege to do what I do and have done. When I can take you, the reader, along for the adventure, I'm doubly happy. I'm never there for me; I'm always there for you, to entertain, educate and excite. Glad you enjoyed. Love Paul Weston. Almost time for a post.
What a great post. 👍 I didn't know much about Dr. John. In the last three hours I heard and saw some of your clips. I had planned my evening differently, but it turned into a Dr. John evening. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your memories Mac. I’m going to send you a photo of the second line that was held after his passing.
Wonderful history here and thanks for sharing. I lived in Mandeville for several years and still today there is Ruby’s Roadhouse. An old roadhouse bar not far from where he lived where local artist play in weekends.
Wonderful info, Ed. Thanks!
Great story, thanks so much. I also had the pleasure of interviewing Mac, in Amsterdam, early 1990s. He had a baby grand in his hotel room and played me a history of New Orleans piano and explained in depth the style of Professor Longhair.
Wow
Thanks, Marc!
This is just wonderful, Marc! I'll never forget that day, and the lake seems longer every time we cross it.
Hi Karen. Me, too. It was a magical day. Then again, New Orleans seems to be like that every day. Hug for Jeff. Here's to Mac.