Dr. John will be reconnected to his fans years after his death, thanks to the album he was working on when he died.
The music industry was left devastated when Dr. John passed away in June 2019. At that time, he was about to give fans his supposed new album, "Things Happen That Way."
Although he was unable to complete it, his daughter and the album's executive producer Karla R. Pratt managed to make it happen.
Rolling Stone first reported that the singer's album would be released by Rounder Records on September 23.
"Things Happen That Way" features the late singer's songs and covers by renowned musicians, including Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Ramblin' Man," Jack Clement's "Guess Things Happen That Way," and Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away."
"Years ago he talked about how hip Hank Williams was. He loved how simple yet emotionally complex Hank's songs are, that they have a hook with a twist. For this album inspired by listening to the Louisiana Hayride [radio show] and icons of country and western, he was excited to do songs in a way that evokes emotion that sticks with you long after one of the songs - done his soulful way - is played," Pratt explained.
Aside from Nelson's solo cover, the album also has a duet of him and Dr. John on "Gimme That Old Time Religion." Dr. John's "I Walk on Guilded Splinters" remake and Aaron Neville's version of Traveling Wilburys' "End of the Line" are also part of the 10-track album.
Lastly, Dr. John's "Holy Water" and "Give Myself a Good Talkin' To also made it to the list.
How Did Dr. John Die?
The album should have had released on an earlier date, and it could have more songs from the late singer. However, his death cut the process short.
In 2019, his publicist released his family's statement, confirming that the six-time Grammy Award-winning pianist died of a heart attack. His last album was set to become his comeback project after being away from the public since late 2017.
Out of all the records he did, his relief album "Sippiana Hericane" became one of the best music he ever created.
"Music is a healing force. A vital thing. The Indian music, the church music, the Mardi Gras music, the second-line from the corner ... our culture does not exist without the music. Music is what people have to get their head out of their head," he told the New Orleans Times-Picayune in 2006, as quoted by WWL-TV
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