Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2012

Seeing aging talents perform for the sake of crossing them off your list can be depressing (see: Sly Stone). But at 71, gravel-voiced New Orleans piano man Dr. John remains in top form. He arrives with his band, The Lower 911, to follow up on a tour he did for their latest album, 2010’s Tribal. Along with acts like the Neville Brothers a virtual living embodiment of New Orleans funk, Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) gave the world standards like “Right Place Wrong Time,” as well as taking turns on albums of note including the Stones’ Exile On Main Street.

Billboard Live, Feb 13-15 (listing).