Tango Palace, Dr John - Promo

Please note there is none for sale.

Dr. John – Tango Palace

Artist: Dr. John (Mac Rebennack)

Title: Tango Palace

Album Type: Ninth Studio Album

Original Release Date: 1979

Label: Horizon / A&M Records

Genre: New Orleans R&B / Funk / Disco-Funk / Jazz

Background & Production Tango Palace was recorded during a transitional period for Dr. John, as he moved from his gritty, "Night Tripper" voodoo-funk roots toward a more polished, contemporary sound. Produced by Tommy LiPuma, a legendary figure known for his work with George Benson and Miles Davis, the album features a "cleaner" production style designed to appeal to both the jazz-funk and burgeoning disco markets of the late 70s. The sessions were held at Hollywood Sound Recorders and featured a stellar lineup of session heavyweights, including Abe Laboriel (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), and guest appearances by Doc Pomus, who co-wrote six of the album's eight tracks.

Musical Composition & Style The album is a sophisticated blend of New Orleans piano tradition and slick, L.A. studio production.

• The Disco-Funk Influence: The lead track and single, "Keep That Music Simple," features a driving disco beat and a polished horn section, representing the most "commercial" sound of Dr. John’s career.

• The Doc Pomus Collaboration: The partnership with legendary songwriter Doc Pomus provides the album’s lyrical backbone. Tracks like the title song "Tango Palace" and "He’s a Hero" showcase a theatrical, storytelling quality that blends New Orleans swagger with Brill Building pop sensibilities.

• Piano Virtuosity: Despite the high-gloss production, Mac Rebennack’s distinctive "Professor Longhair-style" piano remains the centerpiece, particularly on the more traditional R&B numbers like "Something You Got" and "I Thought I Heard New Orleans Say."

Legacy & Collector Notes While purists of the "Gris-Gris" era initially found the album's production too "smooth," Tango Palace has since been re-evaluated as a high-water mark for the A&M Horizon label’s jazz-pop output. It is highly valued by audiophiles for the pristine LiPuma production and the exceptional clarity of the brass arrangements. For the Shopify collector, look for original pressings on the Horizon silver label, which are noted for their high-fidelity audio capture of the L.A. session elite.

Background & Production Tango Palace was recorded during a transitional period for Dr. John, as he moved from his gritty, "Night Tripper" voodoo-funk roots toward a more polished, contemporary sound. Produced by Tommy LiPuma, a legendary figure known for his work with George Benson and Miles Davis, the album features a "cleaner" production style designed to appeal to both the jazz-funk and burgeoning disco markets of the late 70s. The sessions were held at Hollywood Sound Recorders and featured a stellar lineup of session heavyweights, including Abe Laboriel (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), and guest appearances by Doc Pomus, who co-wrote six of the album's eight tracks.

Musical Composition & Style The album is a sophisticated blend of New Orleans piano tradition and slick, L.A. studio production.

• The Disco-Funk Influence: The lead track and single, "Keep That Music Simple," features a driving disco beat and a polished horn section, representing the most "commercial" sound of Dr. John’s career.

• The Doc Pomus Collaboration: The partnership with legendary songwriter Doc Pomus provides the album’s lyrical backbone. Tracks like the title song "Tango Palace" and "He’s a Hero" showcase a theatrical, storytelling quality that blends New Orleans swagger with Brill Building pop sensibilities.

• Piano Virtuosity: Despite the high-gloss production, Mac Rebennack’s distinctive "Professor Longhair-style" piano remains the centerpiece, particularly on the more traditional R&B numbers like "Something You Got" and "I Thought I Heard New Orleans Say."

Legacy & Collector Notes While purists of the "Gris-Gris" era initially found the album's production too "smooth," Tango Palace has since been re-evaluated as a high-water mark for the A&M Horizon label’s jazz-pop output. It is highly valued by audiophiles for the pristine LiPuma production and the exceptional clarity of the brass arrangements. For the Shopify collector, look for original pressings on the Horizon silver label, which are noted for their high-fidelity audio capture of the L.A. session elite.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve