Root Doctors – Dr Roots Gumbo Kings
Che coincidenza! – I’ve just watched Wales beat Scotland in the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament and Lucky Thirteen selects a CD from Wales for me to post from. Wales via New Orleans that is as today’s track is from Mike Harries Root Doctors.
Their website tells us that : “Mike has been making music in Cardiff since the late 1940’s for the most time in the New Orleans traditional style. He formed the ROOT DOCTORS in 1987, bringing together a group of both experienced and young musicians, proficient in a variety of musical styles. The ambition was to blend together a programme of jazz, blues, R’n’B, funk and all stations south, creating a fresh and exciting sound. There have been many personnel changes over the years, but the music is always eminently danceable and above all else FUN.”
I’m not sure how come I bought this CD or where or when. I don’t even put the CD on my player much but when a track from the CD comes up when I am “shuffling” the mp3s on my computer, my ears prick up and my toes start to tap. (This constitutes the very highest praise this ageing, non-dancer can give to a tune!)
I’m not sure if Winin’ Boy Blues is the best track on the CD – perhaps my vote would go to a live version of Don’t You Lie To Me – but I chose it because a typo on the sleeve notes calls the track Winnin’ Boy Blues and there were 15 Welsh Winnin’ boys on the pitch when the final whistle went in Cardiff this afternoon.