Dr. John

The Big Easy native tips his New Orleans R&B hat to Savannah's own Johnny Mercer. The Doctor spins completely original versions of Mercer classics, often choosing songs with southern ("Moon River," "Lazy Bones") or western ("Cowhand") themes. The biggest compliment to Dr. John is that Mercer, the Poet Laureate of Hollywood, would be thrilled about these new takes on his old tunes.

Johnny Mercer's recyclable songbook, eccentrically stylized and expertly played ("Blues in the Night," "Lazy Bones"). (Grade - *)