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Wednesday, November 04, 2009
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PENNYBLACK MUSIC
Mojo Gurus: Let's Get Lit with...the Mojo Gurus
Reviewed By: Malcolm Carter
Label: Linus Recordings
Format: CD
It’s fun to see how many labels have been hung on the music this four piece from the Tampa Bay area of Florida make. Artists as diverse as Hank Williams and the Rolling Stones have been named as influences and almost every genre has been bandied about when trying to describe the sound the band produce. Try imagining a band who play the following ; gritty Southern rock meets glam, surf rock, rockabilly, honky-tonk, old school country and rhythm and blues are just some of the genres that the band have been labelled as playing.
It all sounds a hell of a mess on paper and bands that genuinely ( and bravely ) try taking on a sound that would cover just a couple of the above bases are hardly thin on the ground. In spite of this the Mojo Gurus seem to have attracted a lot of attention in their ten-year existence and the mere fact that the band are still together and are not only attracting more and more fans to their gigs but also selling more records only proves that they must be doing something right.
To clear up where the band are in the general scheme of things it’s best to almost forget any reference points you may read when checking the band out. Three words are all that is needed to describe this band’s music and attitude. Rock and Roll. It’s as pure and simple as that. The Mojo Gurus don’t just have an authentic rock and roll sound; they have that rock and roll attitude. Over the thirteen songs on ‘Let’s Get Lit With…’ you hear music that could have been made anytime in the last five decades and the fact that it’s being made by four guys who are loving and feeling every single note and sound on the album shines through clearly. The title song, ‘You Didn’t Have to Do Me (Like That)’ and ‘Better of the Bottle’ (the latter which shows the band successfully introducing a little country styled fiddle into their rock and roll) verge on the side of novelty songs but they never fail to get you singing or dancing along and surely that’s what a band like The Mojo Gurus set out to do.
But it’s when the band gets down to some dirty, back to basics rock and roll as on ‘(Just A) Couple Of Kicks’ that the band really takes off. It sounds so natural; the music of a band knocking out high energy rock and roll that you simply can’t sit still to. Even when the band pay homage to their rock and roll heroes like Chuck Berry on ‘Rebelene’ there’s still enough of The Mojo Gurus' own individuality to make them stand out from the crowd.
Occasionally the band cool things down for a song or two, best demonstrated here by ‘Words From An Angel’ where fiddle from Blind Buddy Moody and sweet female backing vocals add new textures to the band’s sound. Injecting a little country into rock and roll is nothing new but The Mojo Gurus do it better than most.
Although the current line-up isn’t the same bunch of musicians who played on the band’s first albums it sounds like this band have been playing together for years. Without wishing to take anything away from the brilliant rhythm section of Vinnie Granese (bass) and Mark Busto (drums) in guitarist Doc Lovett and vocalist Kevin Steele the band have two of the best real rock and roll artists I’ve heard in many a year. For a prime example of just how tight this band is try the track ‘13’ on which each and every member of the quartet really shines. If further proof is needed that Doc Lovett is one of the great undiscovered guitarists of our time leave the CD running and take a listen to the next song, ‘Price I Pay’, although the song isn’t as good as ‘13’ Doc steals the show with his guitar lines.
This is a Friday night party album, of that there is no mistake. If these thirteen songs don’t get a party going then nothing will, and there’s a live feel to the whole album like it was recorded in one take while the band were hosting a party in the studio. A good time is guaranteed for all…
Saturday, October 24, 2009The Mojo Gurus - Let's Get Lit With... Linus
Well, fuckaluckadingdong and hick the hell up to haywire on high people for here we be having us a right old time with this gut-bucket, bar-braising, blow-snorkelling glam-bang trough of toe-tapping, thigh-slapping, thirst-slaking hip-shakin' shack-disintegratin'. Wooah yeah n' a why aye. Forget any falsely-lauded retro rectal redolences that the music business bluster passes onto those forlornly cringing beings that convention says must be called citizens, that should be rictussed not rectified for this is the stuff that should always be resurrected, nay whiffs of Zeppelin or late sixties soggy spliff ploddy, stodgy guff-rock with all the gumption of a Great White in captivity, or maybe just the eponymous band captivated by a rack-mounted plectrum holder, here. Nawp, here's the whiskey-sodden shoes shuffling round the dancefloors of booze-bruised bedevilment with the well-revered ghosts of Skynyrd jousting with Hank Jr, slipping Berry of the Chuck variety on the decks n' of the Cran variety in drinks, right on up to puttin' on a ritzy smile on ol' Dan Baird's face considerably larger than Rod n' the two Ronnies ever did, with the tooth-licking, enamel-eliminating glint n' glimmer of Spike sniggering at some urchin's jest from Darrel Bath. Sway while slayed, ya'll stay all night stay a little longer. P'raps aside from You Didn't Have To Do Me (Like That) sounding too close for comfort to Achy Breaky Heart (tho then again more like The Faces vs Quireboys Havin' Me A Real Good Time / Misled - yee haww line dance to this, fuckers) this could make a Quireboy out of any cat, a Crybaby outta any car-jack. They go further into country on Better Of The Bottle and Nuthin' But A Thang than Jagger's commercial considerations would ever allow Keith to venture, almost as equal as his business acumen may be undercover of it all, and thusly they encroach more onto the orchard where The Crybaby's conjure up some compass-point crashing cider under the protectorate of Country Bob & The Blood Farmers with hungover echoes of what Springsteen coulda washed up as had he been stranded on Southern shores in '79 or so and served in The Scorchers' swamp-squadron. And lest it be insinuated these guys are a descent into some skittish pastiche then let it be known they ascend from Florida just like Van Zant and the Skynyrd boys, though my journalistic nostrils haven't discerned yet if that's as perfectly as to have gone to Robert E Lee high school but what the fuck, put some Jack in yer cold tea and celebrate for, as this could saunter sorta somewhere abouts the shoulder height through Salvation and seven seas of sin with The Georgee Satellites, it's thuus just about what a stupendously shit Saturrrghday in the slumberburbs is for. Goin' to hell on a haybale, if you should need to ask. - Stu Gibson
MOJO GURUS —LET’S GET LIT WITH...(Linus Entertainment)
THE MOJO GURUS —LET’S GET LIT WITH...(Linus Entertainment)www.mojogurus.com
Hard rocking fare that owes more to the 1970s Rolling Stones sound than Hank Williams but who is to say that is necessarily a bad thing. After all hasn’t the music of Mick, Keith and Ronnie stood the test of time better than a host of rock‘n’roll acts too many to mention. Another legend who plays a part in the music of the Tampa Bay, Florida quartet is Chuck Berry (‘Rebeline’) as a few Berry-esque guitar licks and vocal intricacies are used.
‘Words From An Angel’ has a stronger appeal and on occasions amidst some near Celtic-ish fiddle and Dobro that give the melody hints of ‘Busted’ spill from the speakers as the boys utilise a loose spontaneity apparent in their music from beginning to end. If confirmation of their talent were required then the title cut, ‘Let’s Get Lit With…. presses all the right buttons. Free-wheeling and awash in a fun-loving attitude the listener with the help of runs on pedal steel and electric lead guitar is taken on a whistle stop tour of honky tonks as old fashioned country meets rock‘n’roll on a boozy night out. ‘13’ with swirling guitar sees mean rock take change as the boys take the music a notch or two higher up the rock ladder than John Fogerty and his band Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Alongside the band’s line-up of Kevin Steel (lead vocals, harmonica), Doc Lovett (guitar, vocals), Vince Granese (bass, vocals) and Mark Busto (drums) there’s a parcel of guests on keyboards, saxophone, mandolin, banjo and aforementioned pedal steel as they partner such extremes as instrumental cut ‘Stingray’ with the go for broke ‘Nothin’ But A Thang’ —as they draw on traditional fare and spike and then drink.
‘Party Doll’ is given an injection of high-octane powered rock‘n’roll as sax, keyboards, lead guitar and drums are flung at it, and though not a cover the Buddy Knox named tune has a lot of the songs habits. On the hard driven ‘(Just A) Couple Of Kicks’ it has to a degree some of the earthy qualities of Chris Knight who is from Kentucky and is honest as the day is long, and makes music from deep in country music’s back roads plied in blue collar virtues he has tattooed on his forehead.
The Mojo Gurus make music sure to lift your spirit whether or not you would necessarily always want to listen to music primarily given to a lot of drive that may be another matter.
The Mojo Gurus Album:Let's Get Lit With...The Mojo Gurus Label:Linus Website: www.mojogurus.com
With a title like "Lets Get Lit..." it's possible that you could be expecting a weed fueled album of electric cod country. If you were, you ain't going to be disappointed. The Mojo Gurus take southern country rock and give it a bit of a psyche twist. It would be real power trio stuff, if there wasn't four of them. You can sense the chicken wire in front of the band, the pickup and shotgun in the yard. Lead vocalist Kevin Steele gets to write most of the lyrics and show just how far he can stick his tongue in his cheek. The music comes across as rough and ready, but it's immaculately played. Great fun. CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINE Track Of The Day: The Mojo GurusRemember when rock’n’roll was fun? The Mojo Gurus most certainly do. This flamboyant Florida foursome take the Stones, Faces and Black Crowes as their inspiration, and just do what comes naturally. The result is untamed, unhooked music that oozes the sort of stuff everyone supposedly should hate in this health conscious, politically correct society. Vocalist Kevin Steele, guitarist Doc Lovett, bassist Vinnie Granese and drummer Mark Busto have five albums to their name, the latest of which is the stomping, romping, pumping Let’s Get Lit. Worth a place alongside your bourbon and stetson. - Malcolm Dome, Classic Rock Magazine AmericanaUK
The Mojo Gurus "Let's Get Lit With.." (Linus 2009)
The Mojo Gurus Light My Fire
The Mojo Gurus do not pretend to offer the genre anything new; they clearly wear their music on their sleeves. The Mojo Gurus combine southern rock (Marshall Tucker /Outlaws/Allmans), old school country (Steve Earle), rhythm & blues (Doobies before they found Mike MacDonald) and a touch of country soul.
In 1999 The MGs released their debut which was critically received, this was quickly followed by ‘Drinkin’ TNT’ and ‘Smokin’ Dynamite’ which with their powerhouse live performances enabled them to build a solid following. Several other releases followed which included ‘Shakin’ The Barn’ which was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Jack Douglas.
‘Let’s Get On With It’ was produced by the band and Jody Gray – the traditional guitar, bass, vocals are harmonica are augmented by fiddle, banjo, mandolin, saxophone & pedal steel. This is straight ahead assault on your rock ‘n roll ear lobes which initially sounds very samey but after a few plays the songs win you over – you cannot dislike this record. From the blistering opening title track the band rarely drop down a gear and when they do, the MGs show they are not a one trick pony on the excellent whisky lament ‘Words From An Angel’. This is a brief interlude before the MGs hit top gear again. Mojo Gurus - Let's Get Lit - CD
Title: Let's Get Lit Music: Rock and Pop Format: CD Number Of Items: 1 Condition: This item is New Label: Linus
Straight from the Florida back-water come The Mojo Gurus kicking out sweaty, swampy, bluesy rock and winni ng fans over across North America. The argument has been made that rock'n' roll is dead. Well, if it is the Mojo Gurus are refusing to attend the funeral.
These four guys from the Tampa Bay area of Florida play as if the burden of saving the genre lay square upon their shoulders. It's bourbon soaked, gut bucket, glam meets twang, the Stones pick up Hank Williams hitchhikin' down the Lost Highway. Defying all labels the Gurus new album "Let's Get Lit With.The Mojo Gurus" combines southern rock, old school country, rhythm and blues, surf rock and even a little bit of soul. Produced by the band and Jody Gray the album was mastered in LA by Stephen Marsh (Jeff Beck, Muddy Waters). If after one listen you don't find yourself doin' the Twine and Ballin' the Jack, maybe you better have your pulse checked. Whether you have been around long enough to remember the real thing or you are young enough to wish you could, the Mojo Gurus are the long lost friend you've been looki ng for. Let's Get Lit indeed!
10:55 PM
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