Photo credit: Sandrine Lee
September 23, 2022 – For many years, Malcolm “Mac” Rebennack, Jr – the legendary New Orleans musician known to fans the world over as Dr. John – spoke about wanting to make a country & western album to pay homage to the musicians and songwriters whose songs had a profound and enduring effect on him, and deeply influenced much of the remarkable body of work he produced during his six-decade-long career in music.
Rebennack was in the process of realizing that goal when his life was unexpectedly cut short by a fatal heart attack three years ago. The resulting album – Things Happen That Way – is available today digitally and on CD. On October 14, the album will be released as a vinyl LP.
September 23, 2022 – For many years, Malcolm “Mac” Rebennack, Jr – the legendary New Orleans musician known to fans the world over as Dr. John – spoke about wanting to make a country & western album to pay homage to the musicians and songwriters whose songs had a profound and enduring effect on him, and deeply influenced much of the remarkable body of work he produced during his six-decade-long career in music.
Rebennack was in the process of realizing that goal when his life was unexpectedly cut short by a fatal heart attack three years ago. The resulting album – Things Happen That Way – is available today digitally and on CD. On October 14, the album will be released as a vinyl LP.
As Executrix of his estate, Rebennack’s eldest daughter Karla Pratt was entrusted with the daunting – but keenly important – task of seeing the album through to completion. “Though it’s very sad that my father isn’t here to see this project that meant so much to him finally be out in the world, I take great comfort in knowing that we fulfilled his long-held wishes. During his lifetime he frequently stated his desire to record this album with his dear, lifelong friend Willie Nelson and Willie’s son Lukas Nelson as treasured guest artists - he felt having two generations would be very special, spanning past and future. Though he didn’t get to work with Lukas during his lifetime, I’m very happy to know we were able to make that happen. Another lifelong friend, Aaron Neville, lends the instantly recognizable, beautiful voice he always admired. We’re so grateful to the many musicians who contributed to this album, and I’m confident that Dad would be very proud of the final result.”