Creole Moon

For those whose knowledge of New Orleans culture extends little beyond Mardi Gras and the various Marsalises, Creole Moon is the most colorful crash course you'd ever hope to find. Mac Rebennack-aka Dr. John-has remained the city's best, and most loyal, troubadour for nearly four decades. In that inimitable voice of his, which always sounds like he's just downed a tumbler of Sazarac then decided to swallow the glass for good measure, the hoodoo guru has filled some two-dozen albums with a heady blend of jazz, funk and blues. Despite their eclecticism, all the CDs have remained true to his gris-gris roots. Never before, though, has Rebennack delivered such a deeply personal collection or so fully captured the Crescent City's wacky schizophrenia.