I bought Dr. John's Gumbo and am enjoying it immensely; my favorite so far is "Staggerlee".

I recommend picking up a copy of Greil Marcus's Mystery Train (most libraries have a copy.) The section on Sly Stone is titled "The Myth of Staggerlee". Marcus discusses various versions of the song and different versions of the source of the legend, as well as the character's life as an archetype running through music, literature, and film. I don't know if he ever updated it after the advent of the hip hop era. Here's a website with an exhaustive study of Mr. Stack. My other big brain fart the other day was going on about "Wrong 'Em Boyo" & not mentioning that it's a reggae version of Stagger Lee, New Orleans music being a huge influence on Jamaican music. I think Lloyd Price's version went to #1, which is a rarity for New Orleans hits. (Offhand, "Mother-in-Law" and "Lady Marmalade" are the only others I can think of.)

I don't know if he ever updated it after the advent of the hip hop era.

No. I don't think Greil has listened to more than five rap records in his life, though he did like the Geto Boys "Mind's Playing Tricks On Me."

Betsy, you may like Dr. John's Gris-Gris, too, which has the most ominous party song of all time, "I Walk On Gilded Splinters." I mean, that song: DAMN!

which has the most ominous party song of all time, "I Walk On Gilded Splinters." I mean, that song: DAMN!

That song's got some serious hoodoo. I really want to hear the Johnny Jenkins version.

I think Lloyd Price's version went to #1, which is a rarity for New Orleans hits. (Offhand, "Mother-in-Law" and "Lady Marmalade" are the only others I can think of.)

Fats Domino never had a #1 pop hit.

Whine: The bag my Mojo came in was open and my cd was gone! GONE! So sad. That's the best part of getting the mag for me. I never have time to read it all.

That's criminal. Especially since I've heard that this Chess set is fantastic.

Especially since I've heard that this Chess set is fantastic.

It looks great. bastards. And it's music that I'm not so familiar with (unlike, say, last month's U2 Jukebox). I've really learned so much in my year of subscribing to the mag.

Whine: The bag my Mojo came in was open and my cd was gone! GONE! So sad. That's the best part of getting the mag for me. I never have time to read it all.

I got mine yesterday. If you're feeling very bereft, lisah, I could make a copy for you.

If you're feeling very bereft, lisah, I could make a copy for you.

ooh. yeah. If it wouldn't be a hassle.

ETA although it occurs to me that I probably have at least one friend here who gets it and can hook me up. I'll let you know though if I have no local luck.