Originally intended as a triple album, The Sun, Moon & Herbs was chopped up, whittled down and re-assembled into this single-disc release, and while Dr. John never liked this version much, perhaps the single disc is testament to the "less is more" theory. The seven cuts are all quite lengthy and the spells Dr. John and his consorts weave are dark and swampy. "Black John the Conqueror" comes from old Cajun folklore which the good Dr. has modernized and given a beat. The swampy "Craney Crow" is the younger sibling of his earlier "Walk On Guilded Splinters" and has a similar effect on the listener. "Pots on Fiyo (Fils Gumbo)" combines Latin American rhythms with lots of Cajun chants and spells. The vocals are nearly incomprehensible and actually serve as another instrument in the mix. "Zu Zu Mamou" is so thick that you can almost cut the music with a knife. Here, the atmosphere takes on a whole other meaning altogether. The Sun, Moon & Herbs is best listened to on a hot, muggy night with the sound of thunder rumbling off in the distance like jungle drums. Dr. John was definitely onto something here, but just what is left up to the listener. ~ James Chrispell, All Music Guide
Dr. John (Organ), Dr. John (Guitar), Dr. John (Percussion), Dr. John (Piano), Dr. John (Keyboards), Dr. John (Vocals), Dr. John (Vibraphone), Dr. John (Main Performer), Mick Jagger (Vocals), Ray Draper (Percussion), Ray Draper (Tuba), Ray Draper (Vocals), Ronnie Barron (Keyboards), Ronnie Barron (Vocals), Graham Bond (Saxophone), Graham Bond (Sax (Alto)), The Memphis Horns (?), Jim Price (Trumpet), Doris Troy (Vocals), Steve York (Bass), Steve York (Bass (Acoustic)), Jim Gordon (Percussion), Jim Gordon (Conga), P.P. Arnold (Vocals), John Boudreaux (Drums), Jesse Boyce (Bass), Jesse Boyce (Percussion), Freeman Brown (Percussion), Victor Brox (Organ), Victor Brox (Horn), Victor Brox (Keyboards), Victor Brox (Pocket Trumpet), Eric Clapton (Guitar), Eric Clapton (Slide Guitar), Walter Davis, Jr. (Piano), Tom Ferrone (Guitar), Tom Ferrone (Guitar (Rhythm)), Shirley Goodman (Vocals), Charles Green (Producer), Jack Hale (Trombone), Ed Hoerner (Trumpet), Roger Hopps (Trumpet), Wayne Jackson (Trumpet), Wayne Jackson (Horn), Ron Johnson (Bass), Joni Jonz (Flute), Joni Jonz (Vocals), Jerry Jumonville (Saxophone), Bobby Keys (Saxophone), Bobby Keys (Sax (Tenor)), Tammy Lann (Vocals), Ed Logan (Saxophone), Ed Logan (Sax (Tenor)), Andrew Love (Saxophone), Andrew Love (Sax (Tenor)), Chris Mercer (Saxophone), James Mitchell (Saxophone), James Mitchell (Sax (Baritone)), Carl Radle (Bass), Carl Radle (Bass (Electric)), Fuzzy Samuels (Percussion), Fred Staehle (Percussion), Fred Staehle (Drums), Kenneth Terroade (Flute), Bobby Whitlock (Vocals), Calvin Samuels (Conga), Ronnie Baron (Organ), Tami Lynn (Vocals), Malcolm J. Rebennack (Arranger), Malcolm J. Rebennack (Producer)
The Sun Moon & Herbs is a 1971 album by New OrleansR&B artist Dr. John, noted for its contributions from Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, and other well-known musicians. It was originally intended to be a three-album set but was cut down to a single disc. The album was described by Allmusic as "dark and swampy" and "best listened to on a hot, muggy night with the sound of thunder rumbling off in the distance like jungle drums".[1]
