2013 Official Americana Awards - Dr John "I Walk On Guilded Splinters"

[@djandersonny]

I never understood one damn word of it -- and that never mattered. A stone groove top to bottom. Back in '70, from the 1st second the needle hit the vinyl, the Doctor ripped the scales off my eyes, blew the wax out of my ears, and the fog right out of my mind. Here, in one piece are all the tasty ingredients in the gumbo that's New Orleans: the beating heart of West Africa, the Caribean heat & voodoo spice, the mysticism of Joan of Arc, the Duende of Andalucia, the deep blues of the Delta, the raw passion of Sidney Bechet's soprano saxophone. Everything but the sassafras! But it's plenty slippery without that!

[@monibolton5505]

Well said

[@perkyporkpie]

I was going to write something then realised you'd done it far better than I could. Fab!

[@susiefairfield7218]

Some people think they jive me But I know they must be crazy Don't see dey misfortune Guess, they just too lazy J'suis the Grand Zombie My yellow belt of choison Ain't afraid of no tom cat Fill my brains with poison Walk through the fire Fly through the smoke See my enemy At the end of dey rope Walk on pins and needles See what they can do Walk on gilded splinters With the king of the Zulu Kon kon, the kiddy kon kon Walk on gilded splinters Kon kon, the kiddy kon kon Walk on gilded splinters 'Ti Alberta Ti Alberta 'Ti Alberta Roll outta my coffin Drink poison in my chalice Pride begins to fade And y'all feel my malice Put gris gris on your doorstep Soon you'll be in the gutter I can melt your heart like butter A-a-and I can make you stutter Kon kon, the kiddy kon kon Walk on gilded splinters Kon kon, the kiddy kon kon Walk on gilded splinters 'Ti Alberta

[@stacyblue1980]

😄It's basically some basic Hoodoo/Voodoo terminology. But it takes a true life of its own. It comes alive. It is beautiful. This performance truly impresses. I adore the man.

[@freakbennett2263]

Wĕll Sæīd, jűs sāyīn !😎✌😎!

[@GB-ho2wk]

Damn I miss The Doctor ! Loved everything about him from jump. He had his own thing and nobody and nothing could touch either of them. He had a swamp in his voice, clouds in his lyrics, funk in his trunk and he brought it anytime the lights went up ! Funk in 100% humidity !

[@travelingwilbury1]

Good Night Doctor. Thanks for the music.

[@davehiggins2155]

Thank God for KZbin. Because of You the good Doctor lives on.

[@Wildvideonyc]

My favorite Dr. John recording. And they did a great job of performing it live here. I hope he's still performing it in the great hereafter.

[@jacksonfritts2988]

DAMN this is good! Few live recordings have a life of their own like this one does.

[@ScotViking9]

you got them glory ears =good for ya

[@Pkatherstudio]

I get Deep Chills whenever I hear this!

[@joeday4293]

Bow your heads, gentlemen, for a great Chief of the southern tribe has passed.

[@hooknbullet]

Just one of him.

[@lipsterman1]

I could listen to this as background music all day. What a Groove. New Orleans' own.

[@screwyootube1]

RIP, and fly on to your next journey, Night Tripper...

[@kirklynde3810]

Extraordinary piece of music - now the loss of the Night Tripper comes crashing down. RIP man!

[@tms6279]

Requiescat in pace, Dr. John. May you forever walk on gilded splinters.

[@kennybratton1315]

This is great! The groove is out of this world. I missed the boat on Dr John when he was alive but I am glad to be discovering him now. A few days ago I got the Gris Gris album in the mail. Absolutely wonderful!

[@jamesmills4788]

Amazing. From the 1969 album and still fresh. Great performance!

[@kaspermygenfordt]

1968 album* :-)

[@joelwasson3795]

My mom enjoyed his music as much as I , she liked just about anything that she could listen to...thanks to her I was exposed to all kinds!

[@DrWolfman3]

I was in a headshop on Hollywood Blvd in 68". Blacklights, posters, incense burning and in the backround this song. Who is this? The owner pointed to the record displays and here's this dude decked out in full voodoo apparel. What a trippy album cover. I was hooked. I so loved the handle Dr. John the "Night Tripper". How cool is this dude?

[@joshperry6700]

Oh hell yeah, Dr. John lives

[@Gypsy-o1k]

Born on the bayou. I live for this

[@dennisedmiston5952]

Oh yeah, I've got it on vinyl.

[@thomassauve8801]

I saw the good Doctor in concert numerous times and he was always spell binding. The best was when it was just him, a standup bass and a small kit drummer. The lights lowered until there was a single spot on him and the candles on the piano top lighting a human skull. The bass started the intro to 'Walk on Gilded Splinters', but a very slowed down version. With the drummer using one stick to tap the snare drum and the other to 'ting' a cymbal, the bass player holding the line and Dr. John playing the simplest chords---he just about whispered it-- pure magic!

[@samuelhacaj9817]

Wow, Dan Auerbach, such a surprise.

[@mrjodel]

R.I.P. Dr. John.

[@markporter9912]

A masterly performance from the good Doctor .......

[@supasoulproductions]

Rest In Peace Night Tripper!! God Bless You!

[@vaughncox9676]

thank you to Dr John for being.Thanks also to all you commenters whose astute recognitions bring me even closer to the depth of appreciations he so well deserves.I grew up just over on the S.East Texas side of the Sabine, so me and my buddies soaked up a lot of that S Louisiana music.I was glad when I learned that he was tight with Van the man too.

[@tundratunes]

Lucky to have seen him several times in the early 1980's when he was touring as warm up for the Jerry Garcia Band. Always kind of an underrated talent, since so little of his material was considered radio-friendly (much like Jerry and the Dead). I think this is him singing and his songwriting at their absolute best. Fortunately, so many top-notch musicians at the time felt the same and joined him in this knockout performance.

[@richardseegman803]

I think my 2 favorite musicians of all time are Dr. John and Leo Kottke. At least Leo is still with us. RIP Mac.

[@dc671]

The Doctor's voice is as strong as it was when IWOGS was first recorded 46 years earlier.

[@swingersonian]

say brother, what are you saying here??

[@MrDrewlips]

What a line up!

[@pathesselgrave6903]

McCrary Sisters with Dr. John.....excellent video!

[@VCT3333]

This version highlights the menace of the song very nicely.

[@peterjarrett642]

A giant has fallen. RIP Mac

[@claudedupras2492]

A giant as raised again

[@dominiquelapinte4193]

What a amazing tune after 45 years plus since I listened it smoking spliff made of Nepalese balls or golden Lebanese still as good as the first time

[@2cool4words]

One of the One's truly a Giant of the his Generation Once saw him Introduce The Fabulous Thunderbird's on the River Boat President with Jimmy Vaughan and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan jamming with them on six string Bass He was Sooo Cool !!! He said Fabulous with a really special delivery ONLY he could do he was excited to do it and he said it this way ~ da FAB O LUS THUNDERRR Biirrddss ~ You Just had to here it ! Fly on Night Tripper !!!

[@stephenroman9015]

Dr. John is in a class all by himself, there's no one else like him.....✌️🎩🪘🎼🎵🎶🎷

[@katsujinkin60]

Yes, Sir!

[@ShellyPalmerProperties]

Great drumming!

[@AfriWakeCreativity]

i just came acroos this song & i loved it

[@dannymeyers5240]

Love this song - Danelectro

[@AliciaWalter]

just the coolest there ever was

[@daveguitarnowski4402]

Well that was fucking awesome!

[@robertperformance5260]

I saw the Dr when he was part of Ringo's All Star Band. Such a unique talent, and, BTW, one hell of a pianist too.

[@rouker1]

Amazing

[@utboca9999]

Absolutely fabulous.

[@sandistein7390]

Wonderful.....he was this good yesterday at the Twin City Jazz Fest in St Paul

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

I seem him in 1969 at Toronto Pop. It was the first outdoor festival in Canada and few months before Woodstock. It was quite a trip being only 13 and straight Lol

[@scaredward5009]

I learned that Riff Today from my guitar teacher!!!

[@craigmccauley3972]

I miss you Dr. John!

[@benmeltzer]

He sounds the same here as he does on the record, recorded in 1967.

[@stacyblue1980]

😌🙏🦋🌻Blessed is Dr. John. THANKS BE TO GOD.

[@julieshrive3198]

An inspiration & legend with the many songwriters such as Tom Waits Deep South .NB Film video connection ZZ Top & Halls of Fame , The Studios & Producers .

[@bobburroughs6241]

Always there from '68. Thanks Mac.

[@Kevin-kr5ok]

Sexy… slinky…. mysterious…piece of music right there my son !

[@SunyCartoons]

Dr. John is so damn cool

[@intheblink]

Wow! Great version!

[@patriciadougherty6713]

Ça Roule! RIP Dr. John

[@blax444]

R.i.p... Dr. John...

[@henryzeisler8280]

Went to an “Alice Cooper” concert and Doctor John was the opening act. About 2 songs in and I could listen to them for the rest of the concert!

[@brötzmannsax]

RIP Mac, at least you got to return to your Night Tripper roots before checking out, thanks for all the gris gris memories.

[@MusicDude86]

Happy Birthday Mac!!!

[@kinkywalkabout9134]

Dank u wel americanafest

[@digitaleyes8410]

Aloha Dr.

[@MusicianStanKilkes]

R. I. P. DR.

[@andrearupp5684]

genial

[@faruso1]

I think this is tge most exciting version by the doctor himself

[@nancycammack3042]

wow

[@MitchMasterMusic]

Ya mon 4real

[@ericnielsen7767]

Missing the Dr

[@dfox704]

2022

[@saml302]

hey thats that guy from that band

[@amazonmuze]

please note: the word is "GILDED" splinters; in other words, to thinly coat with a precious metal, usually gold is to gild something (and it's a verb); to give a false brilliance etc; now the word "GUILD" is a noun and it is: "a medieval association of craftsmen or merchants"; ~ Google; Don't feel badly though, i have the album "Gris Gris" and they misspelled Gilded Splinters on it as well..heh

[@kingdavidthewicked]

Never been able to make out what the girls sing till I murder till I burn up????

[@TreasureOne]

Till I burn up.

[@buckleygeneration]

Actually the legal title of the song (the one it’s copyrighted with) is “I Walk on Guilded Splinters”. I think the misspelling is intentional. But of course, what he’s actually *singing* is “gilded”, it’s just the title that’s misspelled.

[@freezonetrumpet]

Methinks thou not knowest of the Hoo-Doo Guild. The highest order of Nawlins 2nd Line Funk. And yes you must be initiated. Triple entendre, pal!

[@grahambrown5013]

Christ, does it really matter that much to you? Just enjoy the music, never mind the spelling...

[@RichArtLove]

This Man Was The Soul Of Nawlins....

[@paulmarques885]

RIP

[@MrDino1953]

'Til I burn up....

[@Lacombe57]

RIP Mac.

[@eggtooth9774]

When you have seen the Dr. Play live.

[@TimInSeattle]

R.I.P. Mac

[@mileshedgehog]

R.I.P. Le Grand Zombie 💔

[@denisehatcher6623]

Cant believe how passive that audience is

[@DETROITBULLET]

a better than original version RIP night tripper

[@Baitullmaqdis]

Aint nobody gon talk bout that fine afro woman with dem jingles

[@texasmade9090]

Where is lyrics ?

[@JamesZlotkowski-do7wi]

Not my cup of tea but kudos to Doctor. He’s a survivalist.

[@VelcroKittie]

Does it get any better than this?

[@petercaparelli9793]

No

[@jez2466]

I don't think it does, but shame I was over 50 before I heard this song

[@barbaraj6340]

gilded

[@robinjohnston4347]

Fare well Gris Gris man. Walk with the cane of the Zulu. x

[@robinjohnston4347]

@james crowe .Yes back in the 60s we didnt have the clear record players. and it did sound lke cane. i always think cane now, as it is also fitting. my husband and myself are honoury Masaai and my husband was given a stick as a symbol of acceptance. As the gilded splinters refer to the points of light from celestial bodies, it also would be appropriate to bear the cane of the Zulu for protection and quidance. So yes. cane for me .and the King is the power in he cane.

[@marittarucker7663]

It's KING OF THE ZULU, NOT CANE

[@charlesbingham606]

FYI, it's gilded splinters, not guilded

[@pyenapple]

Gilded, not guilded. Those words mean different things. ;)

[@Solid_Soup]

+pyenapple actually it is spelt guilded in the original album.

[@amazonmuze]

+Supersamalander see my comment above please.

[@amazonmuze]

+pyenapple you are quite correct, see my comment above; i started leaving the above comment on all the doggone videos that spelled it wrong several years ago, when most of them spelled it incorrectly; i did notice that now, they've been corrected...yay! for the fussbudgets

[@djandersonny]

@@amazonmuze & pyenapple, at least nobody could be so confused that he would use "gelded" when talking about the Doctor.

[@waterdragon4950]

Magnum Opus

[@WizardGlik]

Who WAS that on the bass guitar?

[@rayhiggins1083]

Don Fagenson.... (aka) Don Was on bass ... Associated acts: Was (Not Was) Orquestra Was, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, John Mayer, Bob Weir and Wolf Bros ...

[@donnlarossa9173]

KEWL CAT

[@josephramone5805]

"Some people think they jive me, but I know they must be crazy They can't see their misfortune, I guess they're just a little too lazy"

[@rouker1]

But they must be crazy

[@misterarthur]

Gilded Splinters. Not "guilded".

[@RobertFHarrison]

It's spelled "guilded'" on the album cover. www.45worlds.com/i/1d108f763f928a0b5cd

[@malucobelezza]

..

[@LongLiveKikin]

did i murder>>>????

[@kkjhn41]

It's "Tell Alberta", something he learned while in prison for drugs as a teenager. It was what prisoners shouted down the line when passing messages which is why it's repeated by the background singers in descending volume.

[@richarddawson8479]

Paul on Stanley road, skip this

[@markrwarner4075]

Axl Rose goes Leonard Cohen goes Prince

[@mikek8553]

Like the Humble Pie one better

[@Ohfishyfishyfish]

The piano ruins it for me. This song should sound like it's creeping out of a swamp coming to get me. There should be no note of civilisation or brightness in this music.