Podcast Summary: The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers

Episode 143: Dr. John, the Night Tripper – Gris Gris

Guest: Wayne Fetterman
Date: September 10, 2025
Album: Gris Gris by Dr. John, the Night Tripper (#143 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums)

Episode Theme & Purpose

In this episode, host Josh Adam Meyers and comedian Wayne Fetterman take a deep dive into Dr. John’s 1968 debut album Gris Gris, an enigmatic and influential piece of psychedelic New Orleans “voodoo” music. Neither host professes to be an expert on this particular record, and much of the conversation rotates around discovering the album in real time, their impressions, and its unique historical place — leaning on humor and personal anecdotes. The episode also includes musical samples, some loose factual exploration, and tangents about travel and life on tour.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life Updates & Travel Antics (06:05 – 19:20)

• Josh is on tour in Europe with Jelly Roll, breaking his wrist in a scooter accident, hanging around with celebrities (John Kerry, President Zelensky), and getting into misadventures in Paris and Amsterdam.
• Humorous discussion of Amsterdam’s red-light district: “I went to the same [sex worker] twice… she was just, I mean, drop dead gorgeous.” (12:48)
• Light-hearted talk about memorable figures he’s suddenly connected to, like possibly meeting the Pope via a performance at the Vatican:

  “Of all the people that don’t deserve any of this, it’s you. It’s incredible.” – Wayne (16:56)

2. First Impressions of Gris Gris (19:28 – 24:49)

• Neither Josh nor Wayne really knew the album before preparing for the episode.

• Both are unsure why the record ranks so highly; acknowledge it’s not Dr. John’s most popular nor most accessible work.

• Discussion of how Gris Gris is revered by critics and musicians (not the general public), with Wayne making a case that “intellectual people” see this as the quintessential Dr. John.

  “It never charted. There’s no hit songs. It’s just, like, intellectual people like, ‘This is the right Dr. John record.’” – Wayne (23:02)

3. Why Is This Album Important? (24:50 – 25:53)

• Struggling to pinpoint its influence, compared to other legendary “prototype” albums.
• Both hosts try to place it within musical lineages—New Orleans R&B, voodoo soul—but find it’s more a standalone oddity than a clear forerunner to later hits.

4. Dr. John’s Story & Persona (28:04 – 30:09)

• Wayne gives a concise history:
  • Mac Rebennack (Dr. John) was a New Orleans musician, originally a guitarist, got into trouble, moved to LA, became a session player.
  • Gris Gris was recorded in Los Angeles, despite its authentic New Orleans sound.
  • Dr. John’s persona was borrowed (“Night Tripper”), and the voodoo aesthetic was a radical and theatrical move at the time.

5. Album Listen & Musical Impressions

a. “Mama Roux” (Track 3, 30:15 – 31:27)

• Marked by playful New Orleans imagery and humor about voodoo souvenirs.
• Discusses the meaning of “Gris Gris” — a voodoo charm or amulet for protection or sexual energy.
• Performance and production sound: “It sounds like he’s recording using, like, the shittiest microphone you can find.” – Josh (33:08)

b. Production Context & Studio Talk (33:27 – 34:15)

• Gris Gris was recorded at Gold Star Studios in LA, the same place as Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound.” Despite that, the album feels underproduced compared to those pop masterpieces.

c. Other Tracks & Vibe (44:02 – 45:13; 50:09 – 53:14)

• Focus on the album as a mood piece rather than a collection of potential singles.
• Track Highlights:
  • “Danse Kalinda Ba Doom” (Track 2): Used by Josh for an Instagram story—evocative, cinematic, “Paul Thomas Anderson movie soundtrack” vibes.
  • “Jump Sturdy” (Track 6): Wayne’s favorite, for its traditional flavor.
  • “I Walk on Gilded Splinters” (Track 7): The album's signature “creepy voodoo soup,” later sampled by Beck and Oasis (see below).

6. Cultural Impact & Samples (53:20 – 59:54)

• “I Walk on Gilded Splinters” has proven culturally durable:
  • Covered and performed by The Allman Brothers Band, Humble Pie, Jello Biafra, and others.
  • Sampled in Beck’s “Loser” and Oasis’ “Go Let It Out,” tying its DNA to major 1990s hits.
  • “That might be the best song on the record. … It has the most cultural weight and tentacles through music right through the years.” – Wayne (58:01)

7. Album’s Unique Place in History (Throughout)

• Even as both hosts love Dr. John in general, they note:
  • This isn’t his piano-based music or his chart-topping work.
  • Its value lies in its rootsy, swampy, psychedelic atmosphere and its role as an artistic statement.
  • “If you just want to go into a different world … this is the album for you.” – Wayne (65:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the record’s “art house” status:

  “It’s like people who love art house films … ‘Oh, you think Titanic’s great? Well, have you seen Hiroshima, Mon Amour?’”
  – Josh (23:31)

• On Dr. John’s influence:

  “He became this incredible piano player after all this … then he had that big hit ‘Right Place, Wrong Time.’ But there’s no piano music [here].”
  – Wayne (58:16)

• On personal discoveries:

  “Sometimes you gotta lose an organ to have a great time, you know what I mean?”
  – Josh (64:03)

• On album’s uniqueness:

  “It’s a mood album … there’s no hit songs on this. It’s not that kind of album.”
  – Wayne (69:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Travel & Tour Stories: 06:05 – 19:20
• First Thoughts on Gris Gris: 19:28 – 24:49
• Album Significance & Influence Debate: 24:50 – 25:53
• Dr. John’s Backstory/Persona: 28:04 – 30:09
• Music/Track Samples & Impressions: 30:15 – 36:24; 44:02 – 45:13; 50:09 – 53:14
• Song Sample Connections (Beck, Oasis): 53:20 – 59:54
• Favorite Song Choices: 61:52 – 63:09
• To Skip or Not to Skip Discussion: 66:02 – 69:43
• Fun Facts & Dr. John’s Legacy: 69:46 – 71:55

Final Thoughts & Album Verdict

• Both hosts enjoy the record more as they listen and discuss it, appreciating its vibe if not its accessibility.
• Wayne underscores that if listeners want to be transported into a different, atmospheric musical world, Gris Gris is a unique portal.
• Josh: “I think this is a great record. I don’t know if it deserves to be on the list, but I think it’s a great record.” (66:02)
• No definitive answer on its list placement, but a newfound respect for its influence and ambiance.

Guest Plugs & Upcoming Projects

• Wayne Fetterman:
  • Mel Brooks and Maria Bamford documentaries in progress.
  • Upcoming acting appearance in CBS’s “Elsbeth” in October.
• Josh:
  • Ongoing travels and live shows; see website/social media for details.

Overall Vibe

Conversational, irreverent, and playful — with two comedians finding their footing on a lesser-known classic, sharing life updates, musical impressions, and plenty of laughter along the way.

Next episode: #142 – A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector