While I see disagreement among the sources that define such things, the earliest release date that I’ve found for the most commercially successful Dr. John album was February 25th, 1973. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. John, also known as Mac Rebennack, helped define the New Orleans R&B scene with a Piano Blues and Funk sound that had arguably its best expression for Rebennack with the album In the Right Place.
Right Place, Wrong Time charted ninth in the United States, as confirmed here. As confirmed with that same Songfacts listing, the song was “a pivotal track that marries the legacy of the good doctor’s New Orleans rhythm-and-blues ancestors to the bold funk that dominated black American music at the time of the record’s release.”
Opening with an interesting instrumental beginning, Same Old Same Old tells the story of hard times making ends meet. The will to work seems to be elusive, with the heaviness of life weighing the man down emotionally and physically.
Just the Same opens with a downcast blues of the piano and organ forecasting the mood of love at risk. The song serves as a statement of sustaining romantic love against the counterpoint of a partner having her doubts. “Right or wrong my love is strong,” sings Dr. John, in making his case.
An upbeat piano riff opens Qualified, a song of the commonfolk arguing for the substance of one man’s approach to life compared to another. The argument is about the flash of money and style not making the man while sticking up for himself and everyone in his circle.
Traveling Mood presents an upbeat mood to the setback of getting one’s romantic love interest back after she’s moved out while the singer, Dr. John, slept. The determination to win her affection back takes him to seven different states in the southern United States to make the world right again.
Peace Brother Peace brings horns to play the metaphorical hymn of love while letting people live their lives. The soulful presentation is rather catchy for those looking to tap their feet.
The message of life being hard and mean marks the message of the song of Life. Seeking empathy for the difficulties of feeling beaten down, sore and tired bears a resemblance to the song Iko Iko that preceded this song on the Dr. John album Dr. John’s Gumbo.
Such a Night stands out among the songs on In The Right Place, first, for commencing with lyrics right from the beginning of the song. The premise for the song is stealing the affections of a girl Dr. John fancies that, unfortunately for all, is with good friend Jim. The intention to win the lady’s affections, for if he doesn’t someone else will, genuinely made me laugh the first time I heard it.
Fusing funk with an organ sensibility, Shoo Fly Marches On musically captured my imagination from the initial listening. The feeling I take is one of freedom with the chin held high and the determination to make anything happen simply on the power of will.
I Been Hoodood blends keyboards and organ with a percussion baseline. Lyrically the song gets into being outdoors and on the run for religious practices that seemingly have gone wrong.
Cold Cold Cold tells the story of a romantic love that ended badly. The song is as mainstream as Right Place, Wrong Time, offering the bridge repetitions common to a more pop/rock sound. The way that Dr. John feels by the turn of events in how he learned of his romantic love interest entertaining the company of other gentlemen tells the story of this song well.
Musicians who performed on this album include Allen Toussaint of New Orleans, Louisiana, Gary Brown of New Orleans, Louisiana, Leo Nocentelli of New Orleans, Louisiana, Art Neville of New Orleans, Louisiana, George Porter Jr. of New Orleans, Louisiana, Ziggy Modeliste of New Orleans, Louisiana, Ralph MacDonald of New York City, New York, David Spinozza, Robbie Montgomery of Columbus, Mississippi and Jessie Smith of Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Matt – Saturday, February 25, 2023
Matt Lynn Digital 
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