Way back in 1962 Johnny Jenkins was the hottest act in Macon Georgia. He was apparently a dynamic guitarist with a great band that included a young Otis Redding on vocals. Jenkins had a recording session arranged in Memphis at Stax Studio and Otis drove him. After the session finished early there was still time available and Jenkins apparently suggested they record his driver.
So in the remaining time Otis cut These Arms of Mine and as far as Johnny Jenkins was concerned sadly he seemed to be history.
It was not until eight years later that he finally managed to record Ton Ton Macoute his debut album. We should be glad that he did not give up because this is a fantastic album. It might have been lost if it did not include Duane Allman on guitar. He plays guitar on a few tracks and have been included on anthologies of his work which brought the album into wider view.
Named either after the infamous police/death squads of Papa Doc in Haiti or the Creole bogeyman that children in New Orleans were threatened with if their behaviour was bad. Emphasising the link to Creole it kicks off with an inspired version of Dr John's I walk on Gilded Splinters a tracked steeped in New Orlean's voodoo. Other highlights are Dylan's Down Along The Cove and John Lee Hooker's Dimples (coincidentally all with Allman on them).
It is hard to find on vinyl but I did manage to track down a great copy. So pleased I did, recommended
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