Do Your Thing
“a magically crafted grimoire of voodoo space blues”
Some folks have called me a catalyst for 'that-which-is-not-easily-explained'. Perhaps. But this much I will admit: I welcome those who occupy the spirit world - and they know it. They've watched over me, gravitated toward me, protected, validated, inspired and directed me on this twisting path of unfolding circumstance for at least as long as I can remember.
You see, since late childhood, I have been a self-proclaimed and rightly ordained High Deacon of the D.A.F.H (Divine Assembly of Freaks and Heads), and I strongly suspect this has something to do with these spirits and their strange, beautiful and increasingly frequent presence in my everyday consciousness. It is also true that I walk through this life with the wolf-spirit, as passed on to me by my Medicine Man, the Reverend Goat Carson.
Not surprisingly, they all knew exactly when and where to congregate for the making of this record, and their presence aided me exponentially in the telling of my stories. In this world, where the dead comfort the living and the living honor the dead, where heaven is on earth, in your memories and in the eyes of those you love - and hell is as close as your next wrong move or as far away as your last selfish act. Where twilight time means so much more. From Bossier City to Sugarland. True religion, indeed! Hallelujah! Do your thing!
— Papa Mali
Quantity:
Do Your Thing
Honeybee
Early in the Morning
I Had The Dream
Little Moses
Coffee
I’m Getting Over It
Girls in Bossier City
Sugarland
True Religion
Hallelujah I’m a Dreamer
Produced and recorded by Dan Prothero
Do Your Thing was recorded by Dan Prothero and Chris Finney at Truck Farm Studios in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Personnel: Papa Mali (vocals, guitar, bass) and Robb Kidd (drums) with special guests Kirk Joseph (sousaphone), Big Chief Monk Boudreaux (vocals, percussion), and Henry Butler (piano). Additional lineup: Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians w/ Reverend Goat Carson (percussion, background vocals), Victoria Williams (background vocals), JT Holt (bass), Jimbo Hart (bass), JJ Grey & George Sluppick & Kevin Ink (background vocals), and Chuck Prophet (rhythm guitar, percussion).
“We played together live right there in the room, all of us sitting together, and of all the things that I’ve been involved in musically it is perhaps my proudest moment. Of all the things I’ve recorded that may be the highlight right there.”
“one of the first great albums of the year, and quite possibly one for the ages”
Kirk Joseph, Papa Mali & Henry Butler
Fog City Records FCCD009 - UPC 606946100929
“one of the best New Orleans funk & swamp-rock records in recent memory”
Kirk Joseph- founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kirk is responsible in large part for the modern New Orleans brass band sound. But we think of him as the James Jamerson of the sousaphone.
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux - worldwide ambassador of the Mardi Gras Indian tradition, Monk has been "masking Indian" since the 1950's. He appears on this record speaking, chanting, and playing his own percussion instruments with his tribe The Golden Eagles.
Henry Butler - referred to as "the pride of New Orleans" by Dr. John, Henry was no less than the singular New Orleans piano giant of his generation, and keeper of the torch previously held by James Booker and Professor Longhair.
The "caveman beats" of drumming phenomenon Robb Kidd are the foundation here. From the fury and power of uptempo drum workouts like Early In The Morning to the dumpster-diving groove of Little Moses, Robb blurs the line between "swagger" and "stagger" and brings thunder to the weather forecast.
“a thing of aural beauty... a fascinating glimpse into Papa Mali’s visceral vision and spell-casting.”
Further Listening
PAPA MALI - Thunder Chicken
Papa Mali On Tour
