Blues 404 Items

Japanese pressing includes lyric sheet | Foxing | Yellow label

Japanese pressing with OBI and insert.

Japanese pressing with OBI and insert.

OBI is missing!

Original Japanese Pressing. With insert and original inner sleeve. Cap OBI is missing.

Japanese pressing with obi.

No obi.

OBI is missing!

Japanese pressing without obi. Cover has light foxing. Record is close to NM.

Japanese pressing without OBI!

Japanese pressing without OBI!

Japanese pressing, no Obi.

Slightly warped vinyl, but still enjoyable, otherwise VG+

Vinyl with scuffs and hairlines. Cover with sticker residue and shelf wear.

Original japanese pressing with OBI and insert. Cover close to NM

EU repress.

Writing on labels.

US original.
Sleeve has cut corner.

Cover has ring-wear.

Trying to define what it is that makes Dr. John special is much like trying to define the word "soul'—you can surround it. But nailing it down is a whole ‘nother smoke. You can point to his sense of history, how he's never forgotten from whence he came, how his music always returns to his roots, even honoring the proud heritage of his native New Orleans. You can dissect his technique, marveling at the adroitness of the hands right and left; admiring the strong second line; respecting the tributes to his inspiration, Professor Longhair, apparent at every turn. And you can note how his peers consider his presence at a session as lending instant credibility to that particular project.

"Upon the release of The Brightest Smile in Town, the reviews were effusive. Chicago critic Bill Knight’s comparisons to Fats Waller and James P. Johnson were high compliments indeed. Downbeat’s Jim Roberts called the playing 'graceful'; noting that the LP had a broader scope than its predecessor. Jazz Times’ Rhodes Spedale summarized: 'He’s never been in better form than here.'

We kept in touch over the years. Mac was always generous and encouraging. Little did we know when The Brightest Smile in Town was released, what accolades lay ahead for Mac Rebennack and Dr. John. From the innovative guitar triumph 'Storm Warning' on the Rex label in 1959, to his 2012 Grammy-winning Locked Down album, Mac’s musical light shone brightly for seven decades. We were fortunate he chose to play for us. I’m sure he’d say that he was lucky too." - Jack Heyrman, Clean Cuts Producer