| The Brightest Smile in Town | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1983 | |||
| Label | Clean Cuts [1] | |||
| Producer | Ed Levine, Jack Heyrman | |||
| Dr. John chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Brightest Smile in Town is an album by the American musician Dr. John, released in 1983. [2] [3] It was his second solo piano album. [4] [5] It was reissued in 2006, along with Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack, Vol. 1 plus bonus tracks. [6]
The album was coproduced by Ed Levine. [7] Half of its songs are instrumentals. [8] "Waiting for a Train" is a cover of the Jimmie Rodgers song. [9] "Touro Infirmary", about a dead friend, was included on the album's reissue. [10]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [8] |
| Robert Christgau | B− [11] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [12] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [1] |
| The Philadelphia Inquirer | [13] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [14] |
The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed the album "an uneven but charming record that peaks with his rowdy performances of 'Marie La Veau' and ... 'Average Kind of Guy'." [13] The Globe and Mail praised the "unassuming, easy-rolling vein of New Orleans' piano playing." [15] The Philadelphia Daily News called it "a joyous romp through various aspects of traditional and modern music from the Crescent City." [16]
Robert Christgau noted that "too often on his second unaccompanied mostly-instrumental album he's as pleasant and boring as any other session man doing his thing." [11] Goldmine determined that the album is "filled with glissandos, arpeggios and quiet, almost eerie, passages." [17]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Saddled the Cow" | |
| 2. | "Boxcar Boogie" | |
| 3. | "The Brightest Smile in Town" | |
| 4. | "Waiting for a Train" | |
| 5. | "Monkey Puzzle" | |
| 6. | "Your Average Kind of Guy" | |
| 7. | "Pretty Libby" | |
| 8. | "Marie La Veau" | |
| 9. | "Come Rain or Come Shine" | |
| 10. | "Suite Home New Orleans" |
Malcolm John Rebennack Jr., better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer and songwriter. His music combined New Orleans blues, jazz, funk, and R&B.
Up to No Good is the third solo album by the American musician Peter Wolf, released in 1990 on MCA Records.
A Period of Transition is the ninth studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1977. It was his first album in two-and-a-half years. At the time of its release it was received with some disappointment by critics and fans: "Most were hoping for a work of primeval vocal aggression that would challenge the emerging élite of Morrison pretenders, whose ranks included Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Phil Lynott, Graham Parker and Elvis Costello." However, the album is still notable for several major compositions, including "Heavy Connection", "Flamingos Fly", "The Eternal Kansas City" and "Cold Wind in August".
More Fun in the New World is the fourth studio album by American rock band X, released in 1983 by Elektra Records. It was reissued with four bonus tracks by Rhino Records in 2002 and was the final X album produced by Ray Manzarek. The band supported the album with a North American tour.
Trouble in Paradise is the seventh studio album by the American musician Randy Newman, released in 1983. It includes "I Love L.A." and the first single, "The Blues", a duet with Paul Simon. "Same Girl" is about a woman addicted to heroin. Newman supported the album playing shows with the Roches.
Dr. John's Gumbo released in 1972 is the fifth album by New Orleans singer and pianist Dr. John, a tribute to the music of his native city. The album is a collection of covers of New Orleans classics, played by a major figure in the city's music. It marked the beginning of Dr. John's transition away from the eccentric stage character that earned him a cult following, and toward a more straightforward image based on New Orleans' R&B traditions.
Scatterlings is a studio album by Juluka, a South African band led by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. It was released in 1982.
Babble is the second album by the Northern Irish band That Petrol Emotion, released in 1987. The album was re-released in 2001 and in 2010. It peaked at No. 30 in the UK. The band supported the album with a North American tour.
"Tipitina" is a song written and made famous by Professor Longhair. The song has been widely covered, and the Professor Longhair version was recorded in 1953 for Atlantic Records. "Tipitina" was first released in 1953. A previously unreleased alternate take was released on the album New Orleans Piano in 1972. Although the nature of his contributions are unknown, recording engineer Cosimo Matassa is listed as the song's co-writer along with Roy Byrd, Professor Longhair's legal name.
Strange Weather is a 1987 studio album by British singer Marianne Faithfull, recorded after recovering from a 17-year addiction to heroin in 1986. The album's three predecessors on Island Records were all recorded while Faithfull confronted personal struggles, and contained a majority of lyrics and some music penned by Faithfull herself. In contrast, Strange Weather is a striking mix of rock, blues and dark cabaret, and though none of the songs were written by Faithfull, all are tied together by the spare and nuanced production of Hal Willner, using a notable group of contributing musicians, such as Bill Frisell. The title track has since become a Faithfull concert staple and has appeared live in three additional recordings.
City Lights is an album by Dr. John, his first for Horizon Records. It was released in 1978.
Crawfish Fiesta is an album by Professor Longhair, released in 1980 by Alligator Records. It features Dr. John, who reprised his original role as guitarist in Longhair's band, Johnny Vidacovich on drums, Tony Dagradi and Andrew Kaslow on sax, and Longhair's long time conga player Alfred "Uganda" Roberts. The album was recorded at the Sea-Saint Studios in New Orleans and it was co-produced by Kaslow, his wife Allison and Bruce Iglauer. It won the first W.C. Handy Blues Album of the Year award in 1980.
Playin' Up a Storm is the second studio album by the Gregg Allman Band, released in 1977 on Capricorn Records. It peaked at number 42 on the Billboard 200.
New Connection is the fifth album by the American musician Todd Snider, released in 2002 on Oh Boy Records. Snider supported the album with a North American tour.
Classified is a studio album by the New Orleans pianist James Booker, released in 1982. It was reissued in an expanded edition in 2013.
Alive and Kickin' is an album by the American R&B musician Fats Domino, released in 2006. Proceeds from the album were directed to Tipitina's Foundation, an organization committed to preserving the musical culture and legacy of New Orleans. The album raised around $150,000 for the foundation in its first year of release.
Santa Ana Winds is an album by the American musician Steve Goodman. Goodman finished the album a short time before his 1984 death of leukemia. It was reissued by Omnivore Recordings in 2019.
Tore Up is an album by the American blues musician Nappy Brown, released in 1984. A comeback album, it was recorded with Tinsley Ellis and the Heartfixers. The album was reissued by Alligator Records in 1990.
Specialist in All Styles is an album by the Senegalese band Orchestra Baobab, released in 2002. After the success of the Pirates Choice reissue, the band decided to record a reunion album. It was Orchestra Baobab's first album in 15 years. The album title was taken from a sign hanging outside a barbershop.
Wish You Were Here Tonight is an album by the American musician Ray Charles, released in 1983. Charles shot videos for the title track and "3/4 Time"; both were nominated for American Video Awards.
