Blues Sissi wrote:Will be interesting to hear what you guys and gals from UK are thinking about JJ Grey & Mofro live.
I've seen JJ Grey & Mofro before so I knew what to expect. They certainly aren't a guitar band or a regular blues band. They are very difiicult to classify. In a review last year Pete Feenstra described them as having "all the traditional elements of rock, r&b, funk, blues and soul".
What we got last night was a masterclass in how to give the audience a good time. The intimate atmosphere of the Borderline in London probably helps. The show was sold out and had people even watching from the staircase down from the entrance. JJ himself said it felt like home because we Brits don't go in for air conditioning much and it was as hot and sweaty as Florida (!)
The essence of a JJ Grey gig is that it's a complete show. The audience got all fired up by the funky songs but were spellbound by his stories and the slower soulful numbers. The horn section were an entertainment all of their own not just in their playing but their dance moves were a sight to behold. The drummer has the sparsest kit I've seen in a long time and how he makes it sound so big I don't know. The bass player is the legendary Todd Smallie who used to play in the Derek Trucks Band and all night he looked so happy just to be there on stage playing.
JJ Grey will tell a story while the band are laying down a groove and then the story will merge into the next song carrying on the theme with his soulful singing. A lot of the audience (at least around me) were clearly big fans who knew the words to the songs but in the choruses I swear the whole place was singing.
So it no surprise to tell you I had a wonderful time and even though the June show isn't on I'll be getting me a ticket for the November tour.
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