On
Dr. John's first major-label effort, and first vocal studio album in ten years, he performs a set of pop standards including
Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" and
Johnny Mercer's "Accentuate the Positive." After starting out with a wild stage act and unusual costumes,
Dr. John has evolved into a vocal stylist and piano virtuoso, which makes the idea of doing this sort of material appealing. And he does it well, turning out a leisurely duet with
Rickie Lee Jones on "Makin' Whoopee" that won a Grammy (Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group), and giving sad feeling to "My Buddy." Maybe he has changed since the
Gris Gris days, but even a mellowed
Dr. John is a tasty one. ~ William Ruhlmann