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Dr. John — I Walk On Gilded Splinters
Album: Gris Gris
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1878









Released: 1968
Length: 7:32
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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 le Grand Zombie
My yellow belt of choison
Ain't afraid of no tom cat
Fill my brains with poison

Walk thru the fire
Fly thru 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
King of the Zulu

Come Get It, Get It, Come, Come
Walk on guilded splinters

'Til I Burn Up ,'Til I Burn Up, 'Til I Burn Up ,'Til I Burn Up

I rolled out 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
Melt your heart like butter
A-a-and I can make you stutter

Come Get It, Get It, Come, Come
Walk on guilded splinters
Come Get It, Get It, Come, Come
Walk on gilded splinters

'Til I Burn Up ,'Til I Burn Up, 'Til I Burn Up ,'Til I Burn Up

Come Get It, Get It, Come, Come
Walk on guilded splinters

Coco Robichaux
Come on down to my soiree
Bring your parain, your Marie, your Mamie, your Dondi, your cousin
And the whole family
No fine de cose bonne?
La jovial la chandelle?
Se la fais la carabas?
Coco Robichaux
Coco Robichaux
Padre diablo?
Gran come the bride?

With your Coco Robichaux
With your Coco Robichaux

'Til I Burn Up ,'Til I Burn Up, 'Til I Burn Up ,'Til I Burn Up

'Til I Burn Up ,'Til I Burn Up, 'Til I Burn Up ,'Til I Burn Up

Come Get It, Get It, Come, Come
Walk on gilded splinters
Come Get It, Get It, Come, Come
Walk on gilded splinters

Coco Robichaux
Dine at the soiree on the bayou
Comments (176)add comment
I remember when this album was new.  Hearing this song on FM radio was a little strange and unsettling.  It was exotic and wonderful.  I loved it then.  I still do.
Back in the 80s, I did the house mix for Dr. John & David Bromberg at an outdoor amphitheater. After they finished their sets They both came out and jammed together for a long 3rd set.  GREAT SHOW!
 siriuss wrote:
one of the best show of my life,,,,on acid  45 years ago
Saw his Night Tripper show at Bonnaroo 2006 with a headful research chemicals. Great show indeed.

RIP Mac.

I can't believe this gets a lower rating that the Paul Weller cover of it.
It would've been tolerable at 3:00 ... still not good but interesting in a strange way, with a possibility of growing on you, sort of like a fungus ... and I suppose if I was tripping it might be okay, but then again, on a good trip, even Barney the purple dinosaur is good stuff ... but at 7:23, this song wore out its welcome ... sort of like my long-winded comment. But yes, I agree with the folks who say "Is this song ever going to end?"
 Lyndont wrote:

Went to see him back in ‘68 but he didn’t turn up. Most disappointed!!



H
If ya ever lived down in New Orleans this all makes sense
Went to see him back in ‘68 but he didn’t turn up. Most disappointed!!
Too bad this guy couldn't find a distinctive sound for himself.
Quite digging this version.
But for some reason i've now got a hankering for Chili Con Carne.
No idea why...
.
I can see Joni Mitchell's "Jungle Line" coming after this, carrying the beat.
A trippy -- and for some, disturbing -- song, by one of the trippiest musicians ever... One could make the case that perhaps everyone everywhere was tripping pretty hard in 1968; not just from the fruit of ergot on rye, or other fungal wonders, but from War, Politics, Religion, Racism, etc.  Even I was, too, though I was only six till the end of that year...like, a child is like a flower, man, his head is just floating in the breeze... I remember hearing and singing along to Dr. John on the radio, and, just as when I blurted out the best Mojo or Lou or Grace or Janis or Jimi lines of the times, I was met with stern disapproval. So, of course, I did it even more. -- And they're still there...
 On_The_Beach wrote:

RP lyrics to the rescue once again.
All these years of singing "Til Alberta" . . .



I used to think it was "Did I murder?" tho that pronunciation would be like Dr John doing a Bugs Bunny impression, so I shoulda known betta.
 DW4554 wrote:

Who or what is 'Alberta'? 

'Ti Alberta ('ti Alberta)
'Ti Alberta ('ti Alberta)
'Ti Alberta ('ti Alberta)
'Ti Alberta ('ti Alberta)



Bought the album in 1968, one of the many greats of that year, I wonder what happened to my copy?

For the last 50+ years I've been singing "Tell Alberta".

Now I find out it's "'Til I burn up"
Great doctor john song, thanks bill for this little ditty
 tonyinnj wrote:

First heard this on WNEW-FM - Allison Steele "The Night Bird"...Went to Korvette's
that week to buy it. If you like this try and find "The Endless Tunnel" by Serpent
Power...Or "Mister Blue" by Clear Light.

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
 
Same time, same place.

Grew up in Irvington in the 60s.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
RP lyrics to the rescue once again.
All these years of singing "Til Alberta" . . .
 

What?...You mean?...Oh.


Crazy. Years ago I rated this a 3. Today it's an 8.

Maybe it's the tequila... 
Who or what is 'Alberta'? 

'Ti Alberta ('ti Alberta)
'Ti Alberta ('ti Alberta)
'Ti Alberta ('ti Alberta)
'Ti Alberta ('ti Alberta)
 On_The_Beach wrote:
RP lyrics to the rescue once again.
All these years of singing "Til Alberta" . . .
 
Ha! Love live Alberta.  
I love Mac's vocal style...gritty, smokey and slippery all at the same time.  
Don’t know why but I love this song. 
I honestly have trouble understanding those who think this is too long or weird, or whatever the complaint du jour might be. This is brilliant stuff. 1968. These times (well, this is always true) will never be seen again. But those who dismiss this as too long : I don't have any perspective on your perspective.
Heard this for the first time Friday night. Absolute magic. This is what I come to RP for. 
Never heard this before! After 45 years of listening to music and 16 years here at RP, I am still discovering music. I have heard the Paul Weller version many times and enjoy it, but I must admit that I am having trouble adjusting to this original. Maybe when I hear this version a few more times?
Sheltering Sky by KC should be played after this.
1968? Seriously? Dr. John was so far ahead of his time.

I'm hearing this for the first time today. As a teenager in 1968, this would have been so far over my head. But now ... I'm just amazed.

Solid 9 from me.

RIP, Doc.
Awesome song.  Gives me the creepy-creeps.  
We have a slow rolling thunderstorm right now so this is perfect ambience!
 tonyinnj wrote:

First heard this on WNEW-FM - Allison Steele "The Night Bird"...Went to Korvette's
that week to buy it. If you like this try and find "The Endless Tunnel" by Serpent
Power...Or "Mister Blue" by Clear Light.

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
 
I first  heard this played by Allison Steele, also! ...Great tune, Great DJ!
Buddy of mine was driving over a twisty high mountain Colorado pass about 3:00am one morning.  Pitch black  and not another car on the road.   This came on the radio.  Said it was perfect.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band does a kick ass version of this with Dr. John, more bouncy & tighter, but less spooky


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeAI3S8fxek

Contemplating negative rating numbers. Can that be a thing?
 tpwals wrote:
Loved this album when it first came out, still sounds great ! thanks RP
 
First heard this on WNEW-FM - Allison Steele "The Night Bird"...Went to Korvette's
that week to buy it. If you like this try and find "The Endless Tunnel" by Serpent
Power...Or "Mister Blue" by Clear Light.

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
 clyman99 wrote:

It has been 7 months since you made this comment and the song is still going. {#Frown}
 
Is it over yet?
one of the best show of my life,,,,on acid  45 years ago
 markmonk478 wrote:
I challenge anyone to offer up a spookier song than this. Happy Carnival, y'all.
 


This doesn't hold a candle to Peter Gabriel "The Rhythm of the Heat."
Leon Russell, Mac Rebenneck, Glen Cambell, Jack Nitzsche, we're slowly losing The Wrecking Crew. Rest in peace, you brought us a lot of good music.
 TampaPurple wrote:
You do NOT want gris gris on your doorstep. {#Eek}
 
Why not? It brings protection from evil and good luck.
I'm going to guess that he was probably pretty interesting to talk to, and I mean that positively :)
wow, 1968
There’s never been anybody like Dr. John! Such a classic tune.
Sounds like they're saying, "D'you like Werthers?" 
RIP Dr.
love hearing your recollections and insights into the music
Much respect to this Man. .
any relation to Peter Green's Splinter Group?...I expect so, even just by name, it is a cool word for describing music
RP lyrics to the rescue once again.
All these years of singing " 'Til Alberta " . . .
 markmonk478 wrote:
I challenge anyone to offer up a spookier song than this. Happy Carnival, y'all.
 

B.S "Fairies Wear Boots" 
Very nice!  Haven't heard this one.
I challenge anyone to offer up a spookier song than this. Happy Carnival, y'all.
I like Paul Weller's version of this song the best...
Well I kinda like this!
Aaaah what kinda fresh voodoo bullshite is this!?  I'm in Camp 1 on this one. {#Moon}
 jnhashmi wrote:
Is this song ever going to end?

 
It has been 7 months since you made this comment and the song is still going. {#Frown}
Guys like Dr John, Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal, etc, are in a class by themselves I like to think of as "musical encyclopedias." You never know what they will come up with next but it's always interesting.
 jnhashmi wrote:
Is this song ever going to end?

 
I guess this qualifies as a "comment". But why bother?
Is this song ever going to end?
Well, I guess if you gotta walk on splinters, they might as well be the gilded variety.
You do NOT want gris gris on your doorstep. {#Eek}
I'm expecting "I Wanna Be Like You" from Jungle Book next in this set...
 Jota wrote:

This it?

The Flowerpot Men - Walk On Gilded Splinters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJIiY2EMtKA

 
Man I just your comment. Could never find it before. Thanks and yes this is it. Much funner version. I never had good info on these guys.
 a N'Awlins Night Tripper. Dig on the Johnny Jenkins version w Duane on guitar
 
 me too!  

helloitsme wrote:
Had marked it a 7.  Up to 9.  What had I been thinking!

 


there are other worlds that they haven't told you
a realm where voodoo economics is the coin of the realm
gris gris
I enjoyed the Paul Weller version, but this is sweeter.
RP teaching me new things. This is a win for me.
 aryohh wrote:

You are crazy...{#Beat}
 
Ha!!
Very, very good Song! !!{#Bananajam}
Hey y'all... I highly recommend expanding all the comments on this song, and read all the "first concert" reminiscences, in order from oldest to newest. Made my day. {#Roflol}

Oh, and I dig the funky dark Nawlins voodoo groove of this song too. {#Devil_pimp}
Spirit dog burns inside me!  Love this.
 Typesbad wrote:
I've been collecting music for probably 47 years and I've never had any Dr. John.  What's wrong with me?

 
You are crazy...{#Beat}
I've been collecting music for probably 47 years and I've never had any Dr. John.  What's wrong with me?
Had marked it a 7.  Up to 9.  What had I been thinking!
5.8?
C'mon people, this may not be for everyone but it's better than that!
I think Dr J's first few albums were his best.
I actually like the tribal raw feel of this one....I can feel the huge bonfire right in front of me! {#Devil_pimp}
Ready for Humble Pie now
 SmackDaddy wrote:

Guess not.

 
This it?

The Flowerpot Men - Walk On Gilded Splinters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJIiY2EMtKA
 SmackDaddy wrote:
Back in the late 80s a band called The Flower Pot Men did a fantastic rocking version of this but I've never been able to find it online. Anyone else remember it?

 
Guess not.
Where's my wallet now, this got me in a donate-spell😍
Oh yeah! This is happening!!!!
let's not wait until next Halloween to hear this one again
Back in the late 80s a band called The Flower Pot Men did a fantastic rocking version of this but I've never been able to find it online. Anyone else remember it?
Loved this album when it first came out, still sounds great ! thanks RP
great groove, period
 
 prairieskye wrote:
it's classic Dr John Unmistakeable sound----how but Gis Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
 
indeed,BILLG
Well, hell, it's 1967 and I'm listening The X comin' out of Detroit. That's WABX to you uninitiated, new home to SF's trend-setting Larry Miller, credited with starting freeform radio that only RP emulates today (well, and maybe some college stations such as WNMC in Traverse City, MI).

My time capsule is elsewhere in these ramblings, but it goes something like this: I was attending an all boys, college-prep school (totally Dead Poets Society) in Bloomfield Hills, MI (home of the auto barons). One day there was a sign-up sheet to ride a school bus down to the Grande Ballroom (Detroit's answer to the Fillmore after "Uncle" Russ Gibb coaxed Bill Graham into instructing him how to put the whole thing together). We off to go see some group named Cream at a Sunday afternoon under-age concert. I had no idea who they were, but I was certain it would beat doing homework!

That was a life-altering experience, to say the least. More here.
nate917 wrote:
Dr. John was overrated when I booked him for a school concert 25 years ago. Now he's just passé. He'd have been forgotten were it not for Katrina. He is thought to have a special regional flavor, but I'll stick to gumbo, thank you. He spent intermission of his show off in some corner backstage, trying very hard to look like he was composing music even as he was performing it. (So he was, you know, a musician 24 and 7.) No one cared. They thought he was antisocial, and his "composition" was just scribbles.
Better be careful, he'll put a voodoo spell on you.
Hannio wrote:
Age: 6 Band: Barney Mom paid Ghastly - I was 25 feet away when I noticed two eyes peering out behind his dentures - what a fright!! I peed, peed in my shorts.
i nearly peed in my shorts reading your story! Thanks LOL
nate917 wrote:
Dr. John was overrated when I booked him for a school concert 25 years ago. Now he's just passé. He'd have been forgotten were it not for Katrina. He is thought to have a special regional flavor, but I'll stick to gumbo, thank you. He spent intermission of his show off in some corner backstage, trying very hard to look like he was composing music even as he was performing it. (So he was, you know, a musician 24 and 7.) No one cared. They thought he was antisocial, and his "composition" was just scribbles.
I doubt Mac will EVER be forgotten. Like him or not, he is a N'Awlins legend and institution.
Hannio wrote:
Age: 6 Band: Barney Mom paid Ghastly - I was 25 feet away when I noticed two eyes peering out behind his dentures - what a fright!! I peed, peed in my shorts.
HA ha Thank you
Dr. John was overrated when I booked him for a school concert 25 years ago. Now he's just passé. He'd have been forgotten were it not for Katrina. He is thought to have a special regional flavor, but I'll stick to gumbo, thank you. He spent intermission of his show off in some corner backstage, trying very hard to look like he was composing music even as he was performing it. (So he was, you know, a musician 24 and 7.) No one cared. They thought he was antisocial, and his "composition" was just scribbles.
digger wrote:
Age: 14 Band: "Cream" $5.00 Unbelievable- I was 10 feet away when their limo pulled up and they walked to the stage door-what a sight!! It's "Burned, burned in my memory"
Age: 6 Band: Barney Mom paid Ghastly - I was 25 feet away when I noticed two eyes peering out behind his dentures - what a fright!! I peed, peed in my shorts.
Whirlpool wrote:
Is this ever going to end?
There must be something wrong with me because I've liked almost every song in the last hour or more...I thought I knew music until I listened to this station...I know absolutely zilch but I'm learning....thats the trouble with being brought up in a house where your parents like listening to the Osmonds! Nasty but true...
crinky wrote:
No, I like it, I like it, it's good.
You like it now, but you'll learn to love it later.
Usually like Dr. John...not this song so much though.
ANNE_MARIE wrote:
what's that slurpy sound at the end?
Water bong?
Whirlpool wrote:
Is this ever going to end?
My thought exactly.
Is this ever going to end?
Dave_Mack wrote:
The one thing you've gotta remember is not to be afraid of it.
No, I like it, I like it, it's good.
Losman wrote:
You know, I think I'm gonna go down to Madam X And let her read my mind She said "That Voodoo stuff don't do nothing for me"
The one thing you've gotta remember is not to be afraid of it.
You know, I think I'm gonna go down to Madam X And let her read my mind She said "That Voodoo stuff don't do nothing for me"
it's classic Dr John Unmistakeable sound----how but Gis Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
siwalker wrote:
Yup. An excellent cover on the Stanley Road album. And yes, it should be Gilded, not Guilded.
There was a wildly different version done by The Flower Pot Men in the 80's. Never even knew it was a remake until now.
It seems to me you could get similar, if not better results from swinging a few cats by their tails - especially when it comes to the background "singing".
EDIT: can't believe this song is at 5.7!
Ooh aye, this is the stuff. Bring on the voodoo!
Posted: Dec 18, 2001 - 14:51 Cy wrote:
A spooky old Dr. John song, haven't heard this one in a looong time! An interesting addition to the mix.
the first post for this song all those years ago I like it!
I was wondering when the N.O. music was going to come out! where's my 2nd line emoticon?
Hey, Mr. Rebennack, hoodoo you think you are?
smilestoomuch wrote:
hmm...Dr. John twice in two hours? Bill, whatcha thinkin?
Spooky! Happy Halloween!
hmm...Dr. John twice in two hours? Bill, whatcha thinkin?
a more timely selection would have been "Right Place, Wrong Time".. :-k
Did I burn up? Did I burn up? Did I burn up? Kinda goes on 'way past the point of diminishing marginal utility.
I've been wanting to hear the original of this for a long time. I'm only familiar with the King Swamp remake of it.
algrif wrote:
Marsha Hunt (NOT the actress!!) 1987 Walk On Gilded Splinters A hit in its day
I remember now! This was a protest song. Perhaps earlier than 1987. I think this date was a re-release. It came from the term 'wogs'. A (now) offically banned word which the Brits used back in time as a derogatory reference to any person from another country, but especially if non white. Walk On Gilded Splinters
Marsha Hunt (NOT the actress!!) 1987 Walk On Gilded Splinters A hit in its day
digger wrote:
Age: 14 Band: "Cream" $5.00 Unbelievable- I was 10 feet away when their limo pulled up and they walked to the stage door-what a sight!! It's "Burned, burned in my memory"
Age: 22 Band: Weird Al $: Free with admission to KI TYpical- I was 80 feet away and got splattered by fake blood from LIKE A SURGEON act. "Stained, stained into my favorite T shirt."
Ooh, ouch! You're gonna have to use platinum tweezers to get those out.
Maybe ya'all play sometime dey won 'bou' dey black widow spaidr!