This came out in 2000 — or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
It sounds like a David Letterman introduction: Doc, Duke; Duke, Doc. But this disc ain’t no joke, junior.
Mac (Dr. John) Rebennack, the funky N’Awlins Night Tripper hisself, turns his attention to the swellegant sound of Duke Ellington, America’s greatest jazz songwriter. And for once, the doc is in the right place at the right time. Backed by only a basic rock trio, John does a wondrous number on Duke’s sounds, paring tunes down to their bare bones and converting light-fingered, silky jazz to Mardi Gras gumbo chock full of popping bass lines, funky-as-all-get-out drumbeats and chicken-scratch guitar, with only the occasional honking sax standing in for the Duke’s big band. From classics like Satin Doll and Mood Indigo to obscurities like Flaming Sword, John puts the strut into Duke’s cut and the glide into his stride. Ellington once said it don’t mean a thing if ain’t got that swing. If he heard this, he’d know different. So will you.
