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Dr. John: Locked Down

Nonesuch

More than 50 years and 20 albums into Dr. John’s historic, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career, he’s still breaking fresh ground on his latest release, Locked Down. Produced in Nashville, Tenn. by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, who also plays guitar throughout, the album features a band of young players that he assembled. It proves that the two artists—who have an almost 40 year age difference—are a natural fit. As one of the quintessential living New Orleans musicians, Dr. John connects us with the past and helps define his city’s culture. And as the leader of today’s premier blues rock revival band, Auerbach is giving the younger generation a bridge to history as well, dressing vintage sounds in today’s clothes, as he does here for Dr. John. Auerbach’s greatest achievement may have been not messing up a good thing: instead he highlights Dr. John’s immense talent and plethora of influences, while incorporating tasteful additions like the vintage Dixieland horns spliced into “Big Shot.” Elsewhere, mean funk meets psychedelic Night Tripper chants, gospel backup vocals, soaring jazz horns and the standout selection “Getaway” sounds like Dr. John jamming with the original Allman Brothers. Throughout, every track sounds distinctly like Dr. John.