Dr. John Signs With the Savoy
Label GroupEARTHtimes.org
Kurt Nishimura, January 16,
2008
LOS ANGELES, CA -- 01/16/08
-- Iconic American musician and
unofficial ambassador to New
Orleans, the legendary Dr. John
(aka Mac Rebennack, Jr.), has
signed a multi-record agreement
with the Savoy Label Group's 429
Records and is in the midst of
recording his definitive musical
response to the devastation
wrought by Hurricane Katrina on
his beloved Crescent City.
Tentatively titled "THE CITY
THAT CARE FORGOT," Mr. Rebennack
promises a strong song cycle
that has casually been referred
to by some as the "What's Going
On" for New Orleans. Featuring
guest star turns by a host of
celebrated musicians the project
will be a clarion call to the
continuing plight of the
Crescent City. Dr. John is
currently, and not surprisingly,
one of the leading voices
protesting the inept response to
the disaster, tirelessly
performing benefit shows and
setting up relief fund support
in an effort to keep the issue
in the public eye. With "THE
CITY THAT CARE FORGOT" Dr. John
will doubtlessly distill the
spectrum of intense passions
into an eloquent musical
dissertation. The project is
tentatively set for a May, 2008
release on Savoy's 429 Records
imprint.
Dr. John has long been
considered the physical
embodiment of the vibrant
culture of New Orleans
throughout his illustrious
musical career -- from his roots
as a New Orleans-based session
musician back in the 1950s
playing with legends like
Professor Longhair, Art Neville
and Joe Tex to forging his
distinctive voodoo-inflected
rhythm and blues psychedelia
throughout the 60s and 70s to
his tireless efforts recording,
performing and being a spokesman
for the city today. His colorful
persona and talents transcend
musical genres and art forms
garnering respect from fans,
cultural peers, civic leaders
and beyond.
Says Steve Vining, President
of the Savoy Label Group: "We
are thrilled to have Dr. John
join the Savoy Label Group and
for the opportunity to partner
with him on what will
undoubtedly be one of the most
significant recordings of the
year."
429 Records is a unit of the
Savoy Label Group (SLG). SLG is
the North American unit of CME
(Columbia Music Entertainment),
the oldest music company in
Japan. The Savoy Label Group has
evolved into a leading
independent company in the adult
music genres consistently
outperforming competitors in key
music categories as monitored by
Billboard Magazine. SLG is lead
by Steve Vining and CME is
headed by Chairman Strauss
Zelnick, founder of Zelnick
Media, which owns interests in
and manages an array of media
companies.
