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Dr. John at the London Forum

Andy Gill, MOJO, September 1997

COMPARED TO his tremendous gigs at Ronnie Scott's a year or two ago, when Dr John was accompanied by a horn section that included Alvin 'Red' Tyler and Ronnie Cube, the world's grumpiest baritone saxist ("he takes pissed-off pills," explains the good Doctor), tonight's show is a slight disappointment, but only insofar as the world's funkiest pianist backed by the world's funkiest band could ever be considered a disappointment. A large part of the problem is the bare stage, which gives the impression that the band are playing in a warehouse – you can even see the illuminated EXIT sign at the rear, as though ready for a swift gateway – and at times the sound is brittle enough to back up that impression.

Total word count of piece: 454


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