Dr. John - The Brightest Smile In Town (1983/2023) [Official Digital Download]

The second of back-to-back solo albums cut in the early '80s, The Brightest Smile in Town presents a more balanced mix of vocal and instrumental tracks than its predecessor, Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack. While it's fun to hear the great New Orleans pianist romp through "Box Car Boogie" and patiently work his way through the twilight blues of "Pretty Libby," the unexpected treats are the best: a heartsick version of Jimmy Rodgers's "Waiting for a Train;" a Doc Pomus cover, "Average Kind of Guy," that sounds like Randy Newman on a particularly good day; and "Marie La Veau," a highly syncopated bow to one of the Crescent City's many voodoo queens. By the time Rebennack ends Brightest Smile with two gorgeous instrumentals–a lovely take on Harold Arlen's "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Suite Home New Orleans"–you're reminded just how encyclopedic his knowledge of American music is.

Tracklist
01. Saddled The Cow
02. Boxcar Boogie
03. The Brightest Smile In Town
04. Waiting For A Train
05. Monkey Puzzle
06. Average Kind Of Guy
07. Pretty Libby
08. Marie La Veau
09. Come Rain Or Come Shine
10. Suite Home New Orleans
11. Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu
12. Yesterdays
13. Key To The Highway
14. Lowdown Worried And Blue
15. Touro Infirmary
16. Sippiania Midnight
17. Didn’t He Ramble / Closer Walk With Thee
18. Mississippi Mud
19. The Brightest Smile In Town (Extended Alternate)