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Grant Lee Buffalo — Dixie Drug Store
Album: Fuzzy
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 982









Released: 1993
Length: 5:01
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Ooh Jambalaya
Ooh Jambalaya

It was muggy July around supper time
When I pulled into New Orleans
I got dropped off at South Rampart Street
I was hungry for a plate of greens

I made my way down the banquette
Where I could see an open door
And overhead a sign made of painted pine read
The Dixie Drug Store

Peppers and roots were hanging
From the rafters above
There were oils and sprays all on display
For money luck and for love

I reached down to pick one up
When a dark hand grabbed my arm
And before I could see just who it was
She said you don't want that charm

Ooh Jambalaya

The last man to walk that thing out of here
Just up and disappeared
Found his wallet and his wingtip shoes
Near a tombstone down in Algiers

What you need my travelling friend
Is a place to wash your jeans
And I wouldn't be the least surprised
If you were hungry for a plate of greens

She beckoned me on up the stairs
For she'd done made up her mind
Said take off your hat and kick off your boots
And leave your pride behind

Ooh Jambalaya

She took me down to a secret place
In the bayou of her blankets
She offered to share her bourbon
I thanked her then I drank it

Thru a small crack in the ceiling
Burst the Louisiana moon
It shone down on our bodies
And we began to croon

Like a couple of coyotes
We were howling thru the night
And I swear they were a beatin' those
Congo drums outside

Ooh Jambalaya

We laughed until the mornin'
By then my pants had dried
I picked up my hat and pulled on my boots
And I gathered up my pride

I figured she had done stepped out
I didn't see her anywhere
And I set out to find her
I headed on downstairs

Got down to the bottom
I couldn't believe my eyes
Gone were all the bottles
And the remedy supplies

Ooh Jambalaya

I shouted out for Marie
I darted out the door
An old man on the wooden porch said
What you in there for

Son you got no business
The hoodoo store's been closed
Long as I remember
A century I suppose

But Mister I just spent the night
With a young gal named Laveau
He said the Widow Paris
Done had a little laugh on you

I said you mean to tell me
That was the voodooin'
He nodded yes none other
The Queen of New Orleans

Ooh Jambalaya (Scraps of phrases - Till the end)
Ooh Jambalaya
Ooh Jambalaya
Ooh Jambalaya
Ooh Jambalaya
Ooh Jambalaya
Comments (93)add comment
Grant Lee Phillips' cover of  "I Often Dream Of Trains" is a wonderful tune...
7>8 nice
 kingart wrote:

Damn fine songwriting.  That guy knows how to spin a story rhyme.  
Another first here on RP.  Play it again.  



This would be a great ditty without the lyrics, but the story is what makes it a truly great song, doesn't it?
God I love this song. Always have to stop and crank it up when it comes on. Thanks RP!!!!
Damn fine songwriting.  That guy knows how to spin a story rhyme.  
Another first here on RP.  Play it again.  
 GeminiGirl wrote:
His song words describe southern Louisiana........lived in Baton Rouge, Lafayette & visited N.O. often ...
 
It mentions New Orleans directly.
I bought this back in the early '90s, and I really liked the record.  Today, not so much.

She offered to share her bourbon
I thanked her then I drank it

8
 guilhem34 wrote:
Same riff and accords than "sweet home alabama" ........ 
 

“Sweet Home Alabama” + “Walk On The Wild Side”
Same riff and accords than "sweet home alabama" ........ 
Nice. Reminds me of some Morphine.
reminds me to put some Zatarains on my grocery list! :P

seriously tho, I love this song
yum
no real classification fits...I just don't like this song. At all.
best thing about N.O. after the food, is the music. Other than that, I can't say I miss it much.
His song words describe southern Louisiana........lived in Baton Rouge, Lafayette & visited N.O. often ...
Everybody in my alien space craft loves this song...  we be dancing cross-eyed like Willy Shakes...  RP is the best radio station in this galaxy...
 love this splendiferous song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
Not my fave GLP song, but still damn cool.  He's a fun live show.
cool track
I like this, one i can add to my sweet home alabama mashup I like to do on the guitar. :)
Not a terrible song but it does go on too long.
 zigzag wrote:
Wow. One can only imagine what you made of the Stones Let it Bleed/Beggars Banquet;)
Fair question. The Stones might have been snarky and condescending of US culture, but at least they had a familiarity of and love (or perhaps appreciation) for US blues (Delta and Chicago) and country (in many flavors). This, on the other hand, is ignorant appropriation.
Awesome...takes me back to Bourbon Street everytime.  Can't quite ge the volume to go past 10 though...too bad.
 ch83575 wrote:
I could have lived a long happy life without ever hearing this song... pity.

 
Jeez, one five-minute song changed your entire life for the worse?  I don't particularly enjoy this song either; it seems a little too contrived or forced to me, but it doesn't have that adverse of an effect on me.
 ch83575 wrote:
I could have lived a long happy life without ever hearing this song... pity.

 

{#Yes} I could'nt say better.
 ch83575 wrote:
I could have lived a long happy life without ever hearing this song... pity.
 
It is complicated, and goes on and on
I could have lived a long happy life without ever hearing this song... pity.
 Businessgypsy wrote:
 Sloggydog wrote:
You don't deserve a keyboard.
No doubt that's true. Questions remain:

What does a dish from rural Cajun southwest Louisiana have to do with a Creole mambo asogwe ?
This is a band from L.A. (Los Angeles) attempting a song about LA (Louisiana), is there any other connection?
Is that supposed to be a southern accent?
Does this band typically turn in an instrumental performance of this quality?
How can a band that tells you how the cow ate the cabbage when they don't know a pasture from a poster not be a pack of poseurs?.


I'll surrender my keyboard to your spirited defense.


 



Wow. One can only imagine what you made of the Stones Let it Bleed/Beggars Banquet;)
 Sloggydog wrote:
You don't deserve a keyboard.
No doubt that's true. Questions remain:

What does a dish from rural Cajun southwest Louisiana have to do with a Creole mambo asogwe ?
This is a band from L.A. (Los Angeles) attempting a song about LA (Louisiana), is there any other connection?
Is that supposed to be a southern accent?
Does this band typically turn in an instrumental performance of this quality?
How can a band that tells you how the cow ate the cabbage when they don't know a pasture from a poster not be a pack of poseurs?.


I'll surrender my keyboard to your spirited defense.


 Businessgypsy wrote:
What a waste of tape. Uninspired, artificial and ignorant of the subject matter.
 
You don't deserve a keyboard.
What a waste of tape. Uninspired, artificial and ignorant of the subject matter.
Thanks RP. Great song - haven´t heard it for years!

Reminds me of Lou Reed.. but he tanked it at the end and lost the deep grind.
 MayBaby wrote:
8. Just for the lyrics!
 
Bump!
michaeleconomy wrote:
this song totally reminds my of the theme from roccos modern life

Blasphemy! The RML theme kicks butt, and is the B-52s, not this mopey echo.



If I could rate it 11, I would. Great tale.{#Music}
 Alex001 wrote:
Wow. Three chords. Hypnotic. And then there's that voice..

 
I completely agree with you... I will be listening to this for awhile {#Drummer}

Wow. Three chords. Hypnotic. And then there's that voice.. Vistabay rehab

it's a wonder ya can find anything      {#Naughty} EssexTex wrote:
I find this very retro
 


I find this very retro
How lucky I was to be introduced to Grant Lee Buffalo as a warm up act to REM on their Monster tour.  Amazing song from an awesome album by a fantastic band.
 cayenne wrote:
Interesting that this is GLB. He usually does a slidey thing with his voice that I don't like much, but this is great. I love the background vocals. They
remind me of another song, but I can't put my finger on which song it is.
 

Now see, I usually like GLB.  This tune not at all. Too much Like McMurtry whose music , though smartly written, is painfull to listen to.


Interesting that this is GLB. He usually does a slidey thing with his voice that I don't like much, but this is great. I love the background vocals. They remind me of another song, but I can't put my finger on which song it is.
this song totally reminds my of the theme from roccos modern life
That is great! I love his voice and just the feel of the song!
Awesome lyrics. {#Clap}
8. Just for the lyrics!
This is old.  I've had this CD for years.  I like Copperopolis better, but that's a pretty high standard.
Good God this is boring.
Reminds me of the Queen of New Orleans from Blues Brothers 2000. I don't want to get too deep into the lyrics but perhaps it was the bourbon that made him imagine an imaginary person with him the entire night. Narconon Vista Bay
Freaky- guess what we're cooking as we listen to this? Yep, you guessed it: Jambalaya.
Pyro wrote:
Perhaps you'd consider coming to an RP gathering in Louisiana in March?? *edit* this guy's vocals remind me of Leo Kottke's vocals....
Is this gathering a fact or just a possibility? Where would it take place. I might consider coming.
Pyro wrote:
Perhaps you'd consider coming to an RP gathering in Louisiana in March?? *edit* this guy's vocals remind me of Leo Kottke's vocals....
It's something I ought to do, been stuck in New York too long without travel; used to live in Houma many years ago.
I never heard that song before, but it makes me want to go down to New Orleans again soon. I live in Baton Rouge and I only head down to NO 3 or 4 times a year. It's a crime, really.
Dianyla wrote:
Aha, they are saying Jambalaya! :)
Great lyrics. Thanks for sharing!
wferrier wrote:
I miss a whole lot of Louisiana.
Perhaps you'd consider coming to an RP gathering in Louisiana in March?? *edit* this guy's vocals remind me of Leo Kottke's vocals....
jpfueler wrote:
I'll take some! and some Shrimp Creole or Crawfish Etouffee.... The only thing I miss about Louisiana is the food
I miss a whole lot of Louisiana.
algrif wrote:
Anyone else hearing Sweet Home Alabama in the basic lick here?
Totally, i was actually really disappointed when I didn't hear Lynard, but then i got into this song and was okay w/ it.
patreezia wrote:
Channeling Richard Thompson. Nice.
Exactly!
Channeling Richard Thompson. Nice.
slowhand wrote:
First listen...this is great. Love RP - Bill spins the best!
Ditto, ditto, and ditto.
Dianyla wrote:
Aha, they are saying Jambalaya! :)
I'll take some! and some Shrimp Creole or Crawfish Etouffee.... The only thing I miss about Louisiana is the food
Not bad, but I like Fuzzy much more than this...
Wow. Three chords. Hypnotic. And then there's that voice....
Not the best GLB. Merely acceptible.
I enjoy this song. I also enjoy Dr. Pepper. Make of that what you will.
Ah-whoooo.... Wherewolves of LA
Dianyla wrote:
Aha, they are saying Jambalaya! :)
Son of a gun we'll have big fun on the Bay-ou
Aha, they are saying Jambalaya! :)
Dixie Drug Store Ooh Jambalaya Ooh Jambalaya It was muggy July around supper time When I pulled into New Orleans I got dropped off at South Rampart Street I was hungry for a plate of greens I made my way down the banquette Where I could see an open door And overhead a sign made of painted pine read The Dixie Drug Store Peppers and roots were hanging From the rafters above There were oils and sprays all on display For money luck and for love I reached down to pick one up When a dark hand grabbed my arm And before I could see just who it was She said you don't want that charm Ooh Jambalaya The last man to walk that thing out of here Just up and disappeared Found his wallet and his wingtip shoes Near a tombstone down in Algiers What you need my travelling friend Is a place to wash your jeans And I wouldn't be the least surprised If you were hungry for a plate of greens She beckoned me on up the stairs For she'd done made up her mind Said take off your hat and kick off your boots And leave your pride behind Ooh Jambalaya She took me down to a secret place In the bayou of her blankets She offered to share her bourbon I thanked her then I drank it Thru a small crack in the ceiling Burst the Louisiana moon It shone down on our bodies And we began to croon Like a couple of coyotes We were howling thru the night And I swear they were a beatin' those Congo drums outside Ooh Jambalaya We laughed until the mornin' By then my pants had dried I picked up my hat and pulled on my boots And I gathered up my pride I figured she had done stepped out I didn't see her anywhere And I set out to find her I headed on downstairs Got down to the bottom I couldn't believe my eyes Gone were all the bottles And the remedy supplies Ooh Jambalaya I shouted out for Marie I darted out the door An old man on the wooden porch said What you in there for Son you got no business The hoodoo store's been closed Long as I remember A century I suppose But Mister I just spent the night With a young gal named Laveau He said the Widow Paris Done had a little laugh on you I said you mean to tell me That was the voodooin' He nodded yes none other The Queen of New Orleans Ooh Jambalaya Ooh Jambalaya Ooh Jambalaya Ooh Jambalaya Ooh Jambalaya Ooh Jambalaya
algrif wrote:
Anyone else hearing Sweet Home Alabama in the basic lick here?
Yes, and see also Dani California by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
First listen...this is great. Love RP - Bill spins the best!
Roll F&%k!g Tide!!!
Sweet Home Alabama!
algrif wrote:
Anyone else hearing Sweet Home Alabama in the basic lick here?Posted 18 years ago by trempel    [ Reply ]
Never heard this one. Nice
algrif wrote:
Anyone else hearing Sweet Home Alabama in the basic lick here?
I hear Beck… does that count?
One of the best songs of one of the best cds of the last century. My favourite of the album: Jupiter and Teardrop. Thanks for playing Grant Lee
Anyone else hearing Sweet Home Alabama in the basic lick here?
Mmmm, wouldn't mind a mess o' greens bout now.
Affengeiler groove
Play a lot of Grant Lee !!!
What a gorgeous track. Saw them do it live in Galway, Ireland in 1996. Brings back great memories. Love this whole album actually - this song is particularly fun!
Tangled up in, um... something very familiar. Nice, tho'.
..this album is great! still, I think some of the other songs are way better :) hm, to bad the song sounds like it's been encoded at 96kbps here - kind of makes the new 192kbps-streams kind of pointless?
smileyally wrote:
yeah this is a first for me and I love the background vocals
Are they singing "Jambalaya"? Tasty!
A friend of mine had this on a cd mix years (ack 9!)ago...made me seek out more GLB. nice
yeah this is a first for me and I love the background vocals
Bill - thanks for playing this song...........