The Piano Styles of Dr. John
In this vintage Homespun video series, sit down with Mac Rebennack (a.k.a. Dr John) as he performs his remarkable music, discusses his influences, and shares early musical memories and intriguing stories of a life in the music business.
Videos
• Early Influences (04:39) - The tutorial starts with Dr. John playing an intro piece and then discussing what inspired him early on.
• Texas Boogie (04:03) - In this video Dr John talks about how he was shown the Texas Boogie at an early age and goes over some of the techniques he developed from that.
• Swanee River Boogie (04:35) - The Swannee River Boogie is used in the video to show case rolls and turn-a-rounds.
• Pete Johnson's Blues (02:32) - Dr. John shows what he likes about Pete Johnson’s Blues.
• Mess Around (Cow Cow Boogie) (03:35) - The origin of Mess Around, Cow Cow Boogie, is played and broken down.
• Big Chief (02:18) - Dr. John plays Big Chief and goes over the parts that impressed him when he first heard it.
• Buddy Bolden's Blues (03:15) - Here he goes over the interesting style of Buddy Bolden Blues.
• St. James Infirmary (00:53) - St. James Infirmary is played and briefly discussed in this video.
• Didn't He Ramble (02:44) - In this video, Dr. John reminisces over Didn’t He Ramble.
• Five Nights Drunk (03:17) - Here he plays another minstrel, Five Nights Drunk.
• Cold Black Night & Hoodoo Man (02:54) - Dr. John plays Cold Black Night and Hoodoo Man showing how he adds his own flavor to the originals.
• When The Saints Go Marching In (01:38) - The Saints Go Marching In is played in a uniquely Dr. John way.
• Wade In The Water (04:46) - Here, Wade in the Water is played in multiple versions.
• Tuts Washington's Blues (03:31) - Dr. John plays Tuts Washington Blues the way it was shown to him.
• Butterfly Stride Piano (02:25) - One of the songs shown to him early on was Butterfly Stride Piano.
• Qualified (02:39) - Dr. John plays Qualified in his own way.
• Careless Love (03:23) - In this video he goes over the different ways he plays Careless Love.
• Cry Me a River (05:22) - Cry Me a River is played with an adapted style.
• Senor Blues (01:32) - Dr. John shows why he feels Señor Blues has the perfect blend between the bass line and melody.
• It's All About Me (03:12) - It’s All About Me is played using generous pedal tones.
• Lloyd Glenn Voicings (01:33) - Dr. John shows the Lloyd Glenn Voicings and talks about how he incorporates it into his style of playing.
• Love, Life, and Money (03:20) - Love, Life, and Money is played with a different arrangement.
• Show Me How (05:43) - Show Me How is played and discussed for it’s uniqueness.
• Need Your Love So Bad (03:05) - Dr. John shows why he likes the song Need Your Love So Bad.
• A World I Never Made (04:42) - The song A World I Never Made is played and the music as well as the lyrics are discussed.
• Lonely Avenue (01:49) - Lonely Avenue is played and shown why it’s one of the all time most quoted melodies.
• Next Time You See Me (01:39) - Dr. John plays and praises Next Time you See Me.
• Ray Charles Intro (00:47) - The Ray Charles Intro is shown.
• Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying (01:39) - Different ways of playing Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying are played.
• Stone Cold Dead in the Market (01:20) - Dr. John plays what he calls a ‘great song’... Stone Cold Dead in the Market.
• Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out (02:44) - Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out is played.
• Don't Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes at Me (01:37) - The shuffle Don’t Roll Those Bloodshot Eye’s at Me is played and discussed.
• Since I Fell For You (02:13) - Dr. John plays Since I Fell For You and talks about how it had a big influence on him.
• Mercy, Mercy (02:19) - Mercy Mercy is played and Dr. John talks about how much he likes the main riff.
• One Naughty Flat (02:05) - Originally written to be a guitar duo, One Naughty Flat is played on the piano.
• Solitude (05:42) - The ‘old piece’ Solitude’ is played in the Dr. John style.
• Don't Get Around Much Anymore (01:49) - Don’t Get Around Much Anymore is played with enthusiasm .
• Auld Lang Syne (02:04) - Dr. John closes out the tutorial with a final song.