Two years ago, Leon Russell received some long overdue attention when he teamed up with Elton John for the album 'The Union.' Singer/pianist Dr. John is deserving of the same type of lovin' from the masses, and Dan Auerbach of the red-hot duo the Black Keys is doing his part by producing the New Orleans legend's new studio album, 'Locked Down.'

Auerbach calls Dr. John (real name: Mac Rebennack) "one of the greatest who ever was and who ever will be," and he certainly has a body of work to back Auerbach's assertion. In a career that's spanned more than 50 years, Dr. John has worked as a session musician for the Rolling Stones and Ringo Starr, among others, as well as achieved success as a solo artist, most notably with the hit 'Right Place Wrong Time.' The Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member has recently popped up in episodes of the New Orleans-based HBO series 'Treme.'

The seeds for the Auerbach-Dr. John project were planted around 2010, and last year, they jammed together at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tenn.

"Mac inspired me every single day we were in the studio together: musically, spiritually, cosmically … something special seemed to be happening and everyone involved could sense it," Auerbach said.

'Locked Down' is due April 3 on the Nonesuch label. Dr. John will premiere songs from the album during a three-week residency that begins March 29 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York.

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