Recorded in 1995 and released on CD only in 2019, this is the vinyl debut for this Dr. John Album. "Ya know, dis would be dat thing I was always using my head for: a big band thing with my New Orleans riffs." Thus spoke Mac Rebennack, a.k.a.

Dr. John, while tossing around ideas with his manager Stanley Chaisson ahead of a 1995 tour.

Not long afterward, he manifested that vision in Cologne, Germany, where he recorded 16 tracks with the WDR Big Band.

On the opening "Indian Red," Mac name-checks Mardi Gras Indian tribes and soars to new heights when WDR jumps in with the gale-force gusto of a truly big band, summoning a real second-line rave-up.

"New York City Blues" swings with enough swagger to light up Times Square, while "I'm Just Lucky" invokes the glitz of Vegas in its Rat Pack heyday.

Both put a new spin on songs from Afterglow, the 1995 album Dr. John was touring behind, which also included moodier pieces like "Gee Baby." This live set makes a fine addition to every Dr.

John fan's library, and delivers exactly what the good doctor intended to conjure: Big Band Voodoo.

Purple col. 2LP, 1000 copies worldwide.