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A 1975 Dr John live album I didn't know about? You bet I wanna listen to that. Actually, "Hollywood Be Thy Name" is a weird beast, featuring 5 live tracks, then two studio tracks, then another three live tracks. Hard to get immersed in the live ambiance as a consequence. The sound is perfect for the live part, and that's because it was recorded in a studio with an audience. It starts strong with Dr John in fine form, although the first side ends on a cover of "Yesterday" that I don't think really works (cover wise, no one can beat Ray Charles and maybe that's why it doesn't work for me). The studio tracks on the second half are a reworking of Babylon (from the eponymous album) a weird choice as I would have enjoyed a proper live version, and a soulful "Back by the River" that sounds fine, but too far out (to my ears) from Dr John's fortes. The live tracks on the second side include a frantic medley of Cole Porter tunes (very different from the version of Blues Skies on Afterglow), a dispensable "Hollywood be thy Name "(it's weird that the title track is the weakest) and a rousing finale with "I Wanna Rock". All in all it's a decent album, and the sound is better than on The Lost Broadcast although that live recording is no doubt more representative of Dr John's music of the era. If you have to pick one, The Lost Broadcast is better.
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