Dr. John and The Kent Stage

 

I went to see Dr. John at the Kent Stage the other night. If you haven't been to the Kent Stage you should. The venue itself sits about 650 people (642 I think) and has amazing acoustics. Mostly why a lot of folk musicians choose it I'm sure.

As for Dr. John, he's had a few hits here and there, “Right Place, Wrong Time” and “Such A Night” come to mind, but he hasnt actually been a hit maker. Still he's unique and was pretty groundbreaking with his stage shows and the genres of music he meshed together. Enough to have won sic grammys and be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Of course he is best known for Polynesian Town with John Candy that aired on SCTV in the late 1970s. Well, maybe not but I love SCTV and that was a great episode so I wanted to include it.

Dr. John didnt disappoint. He came out with a traditional band (Guitar, Bass, Drums and him on Piano) along with a back-up singer who took a large role in the band, even singing lead on one of the songs. She seemed to be out of the gospel tradition, she meshed well. There was also a Trombone player up on the stage.

The Doctor's voice seemed very much the same as it was in 1974 and he definitely hasnt lost any of his playing skills, not that he should have at 74 but I’ve seen it with these older statesman sometimes. I had heard in the past he bulked at playing his “hits” as he much preferred the more out there part of his catalog. Didn't seem as if that was true tonight as Such a Night was the big show stopper of the evening. 

He's was good, you should go see him.