Under a Hoodoo Moon: The Life of the Night Tripper

I have read this book twice, not only because I like Dr.John's music, but also because I love the city of New Orleans and its cultural heritage. This book is more than just a musical biography; it's a chronicle of the Crescent City's music scene since the 50's and a huge source of musical information. Of course, Dr. John's biography and musical career is the main subject of the book and it will live up to your expectations. His recollections of his early career, Cosimo Matassa, Professor Longhair, Huey Piano Smith, Fats Domino, James Booker, and many more quoted in the book are priceless. His more recent musical experiences with big names such as Frank Zappa, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Van Morrison or Eric Clapton are remarkable too. On the contrary to many other musical biographies, there are not any gossips in this one, just music facts. Dr. John reviews some of his own recordings and includes some of the lyrics. There is also a chapter dedicated to the voodoo religion. Co-written with author Jack Rummel, the book even works as a travel guidebook to the city. In one of my visits to the Big Easy after reading the book, I found places and sightseeings mentioned in it that I wouldn't find in any other guidebook. Highly recommended.

Dr. John preformed on "Mondaygras" (the day before Fat Tuesday) in a New Orleans warehouse in 1987. On that night he introduced himself to me and several hundred New Orleans revelers. Those in attendance experienced the hoodoo moon and the life of the night tripper. For all others who missed that magical evening, the book, Under A Hoodoo Moon: The Life of the Night Tripper, Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) will make you feel as if you were standing at my side as I permitted the entire life of Dr. John to dance in my blood for that moment in time. The book merely affirms my experience. I was in college. My dear friend Ruth managed to score some primo tickets. Having lived in New Orleans I knew it would be a special evening. It really did not matter who played. Around midnight and away from the haze of Bourbon Street, New Orleans naturally hums to a rebellious tune. The venue was hot. Crazed girls began to remove their cloths. Eventhough it was an open bar and the liquor was free, bottles of booze mysteriously appeared and were passed from person-to-person bonding us as one in drunkenness. Beads and doubloons rained from clouds of marijuana when the hedonistic frenzy was briefly interrupted by a very large man strolling toward the stage. It was Dr. John. He needed no introduction. His tangled hair, glassy eyes, weathered skin, and shaman walking stick told their own story. He had sleazed with the dirtiest whores, drank the cheapest liquor, smoked the strongest weed, ate the finest gumbo, and still took joy in thumbing his nose at every law set before his destination. We were his family for that moment. It is easy to recognize that Dr. John is a good and proud man with an ethos that shakes a soul. Just listen to his cyanne and cured voice. It does not matter what he says. The tones sound like the moon whispering secret knowledge. Dr. John isn't merely a musician spending brain-cells on a binge. He is a warlock. Under A Hoodoo Moon may never win the Pulitzer Prize, but it tells a story about a remarkable man whose music will haunt your life. Tom Bradley [..]

This book will give you a lot of insight to the wild web woven around and by Mac Rebennack. You'll learn more, and maybe to much, about his life, which will open your eyes to the lyrics he's written over the years and in what mental and physical condition he was in during those times. I've been a fan of Dr. John for as long as I can remember, but this book just amazed me! As much as I though I knew, I was wrong. His love of music got his soul in trouble with drugs and his fans were the ones who benefitted from his pain and suffering. He's grown, learned and bloomed into a clear, clean, insightful man. This book made me cry to think of all he went through to get to where he is today. I am lucky enough to own an autographed first edition. It is one of my most prized posessions. If you love New Orleans, Fonk, Blues, and Swampadelic music you MUST read this book!

Want to be a professional musician? Think twice. Dr. John confirms the musician's world as full of addicts, thieves, prostitutes, and swindlers, where almost no one can be trusted. I give the book five stars because it was interesting enough that I finished it, but it's a bittersweet tale of a man who loves music stumbling in a junkie's nightmare. I appreciate his honesty, his sense of humor, his optimism, and his love for music. As an amateur musician who used to contemplate a musical career, I'm glad I opted for a day job and a house in the suburbs. But the story is fascinating. Now I definitely want to check out some of his music.

For anyone who has heard the music of Mac Rebennack a.k.a. Dr. John, this book is essential reading. His unique experiences and his sense of humor make it fascinating to read from beginning to end. The good doctor's experiences in the music business make a great tale. From his early attachment to some of the New Orleans music greats, through his own experiences in clubs and recording studios, this makes for a terrific insight into what being a musician is all about.I would highly recommend this book.