Radio interview with JJ on WRLT in Nashville. In addition to the interview he played 2 acoustic songs: "Brighter Days" and "King Hummingbird," and song he's never played before in public.
►Hot off the press today, this interview/O.B. review from post-trib.com in Chicago (I guess 'hot off the press' don't really apply nmore...)
►Also hot off the press is this review/interview with JJ from the Chicago suntimes.com that includes his thoughts about man walking on the moon, the funniest southern country comedian that's ever lived, Jerry Clower (I had his LP's in the 70s)--next to Lewis Grizzard, IMHO--and more.
Anybody got suggestions for replacing 'hot off the press' with something 21st Century?
►Some of y'all may have seen this interview from March of '07. It's from Blogging Muses "The #1 Songwriting Blog." It's a very thorough interview, pre-Orange Blossoms, but really great insight into JJ's songwriting process, and prowess.
►This is someone's personal blog and she's just started getting into Mofro. It's cool to read her remarks about the songs and JJ's voice. She also has an interesting/amusing way she describes the music: "This is a great band that sounds like soul wrecked head on into some jazzy rock."
►In case you missed this on the message board, Rob Hawthorne recently did a photo shoot with JJ. It's awesome so be sure and check it out--Rob Hawthorne Photography blog
►Um, I dunno why this persons blog is named "Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream." Intriguing as it is, I have to admit I didn't care enough to hang around and look for it. What he does have is a short but sweet review of Orange Blossoms, along with the now ancient picture of the band with George, without AC, Dennis and Art. I guess they'll get some new publicity shots going pretty soon. Probably tough to nail all of 'em down at once long enough for a photo shoot.
►Interview with Bruce Iglauer: Alligator Records' Owner from the Crossroads Blues Society That may sound boring, but actually it's a great article ya'll. Alligator Records, Mofro's record label, was founded in 1971 when Iglauer was 23 years old. Over the last 37 years he's built Alligator into one of the world's leading contemporary blues labels. He gives some real interesting insights into the business, artists, and more. It's not an article about Mofro, although they are mentioned, but gives a lot of perspective on what bands like Mofro go through and the challenges they face.
►I really like this article. The writer did an interview with JJ. It's got some good stuff in it. From the Times Standard in Eureka Calif, which has to be one of the prettiest places anywhere.
Jacksonville.com has this review of BSR There's a discussion about it on the message board. A few inaccuracies for sure and not well-researched. But hey, we can't always expect everybody to get it right.
9/3
Now here's somthing ya'll GOT to check out. Rhapsody has JJ's top 14 favorite soul songs, along with a player so you can hear each one. Pretty cool. JJ's favorite soul tunes
9/2
Lots of reviews and bloggers talking about Orange Blossoms. I'm way behind in getting them up, but keep checking here and there will be more to come.
All About Jazz review--Doug Collette has made some wonderfully poignant points (I happen to know that he's not only a writer, he's a Mofro fan!)
►This review's okay, but not necessarily all good, of the show at Crossroads in Kansas City on Friday 7/18. (Somebody tell me, please, how you could you refer to Daryl as the bass player? Do any of the guitars he plays look like a bass, or is it just me?)
The show was supposed to be webcast live on IClips.com but was not. Unless someone knows different, that is, cause I lurked all day. Mule's set killed, btw.
From what I could gather on the live chat line, they last minute decided to show someone else (maybe because of the technical probs--see below) and taped MOFRO.
One of the chat administrators said it would be broadcast next week (I dunno what the hell that means.) I'm not sure if her intent was that next weekend's show is going to be streamed live instead. I'm going to keep a close watch on IClips to see what's happening, and watch their archives as well, in case it goes straight to there. Check back here and I'll update it when it happens.
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Meanwhile, our boys got a little press while they was across the Mason-Dixon line.I've extracted the parts about JJ Grey & Mofro, but put in the link for those who want to read the whole articles.
ROTHBURY BLOG FROM Federico Martinez | The Muskegon Chronicle--MLIVE.COM POSTED JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT 7/6
[As we say in the South...shit. Sucks about the audio problems big time. Sounds like they made a nice comeback though.]
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ROTHBURY BLOG FROM Sarah Baldry--MLIVE.COM POSTED JULY 7, 8:41 a.m.
"We decided to hold court at the Ranch Arena for most of the day. We bought massive fajitas and sat listening to the remainder of Brett Dennen's set. That was followed by JJ Grey and Moffro. This band was also unknown to me, but I enjoyed their funky sound, and it was quite clear they had some diehard fans in the audience. They kept their fans on their feet and dancing, and quite often singing." http://www.mlive.com/music/index.ssf/2008/07/fans_
perspective_rothbury_wrap.html
[Moffro, did she say Moffro?? Awwww sheeeeeeiiiiiittt, you gotta be kidding me. Oh well, as they say in the PR biz, take the free press when you can get it, even if they spell your name wrong. Very cool to hear about the MOFRO COMMUNITY BEING STRONG IN MICHIGAN! YA'LL ROCK!!!]
February 7, 2008 Article subject: "Art Edmaiston, Mofro sax player,
has found his soulmates on the road with
JJ Grey & Mofro."
Great quote: "Art can play from 0 to 300 in 0.1 seconds with full conviction. How deep someone goes as a player is based on how much they can let go and let it happen, which is what Art does every night. For me, it doesn't really get any better than that [JJ Grey]"
From the CommercialAppeal.com
January 31, 2008 Article subject:"Down-home roots, rock and soul artist JJ Grey says some of the songs he's written about respecting the environment and appreciating what we have are preaching to a special person. Himself." Great quote: "As far as influences, blues are the all-encompassing thing," Grey said. "With regards to modern music, whether you want to call it R&B or rock or punk rock, it still floats around the blues/rock and folk roots."
January 4, 2008 Article Subject: Concert review: from the
New Times-Broward/Palm Beach Great quote: "Grey epitomizes what a front man should be, and the rest of MOFRO kick out grooves that would make a dead confederate dance like his reanimate life depended on it. His lyrics are reminiscent of the great southern poets; fiercely personal, universal, and political without a hint of superiority or peachiness [concert critic Brett Gillin."]
Everything below here I ain't had time to go through and categorize or nothing, but there's good stuff in them for anyone who wants to click through them. It's all generally stuff from 2007 and before.
Recently added Tour dates:
May 30 Crawfish Fest Augusta, NJ June 20 SurfinSnook Summer Jam, Boca Raton FL (JJ solo performance) July 4Floyd Fandango Festival Floyd, VA Aug 9Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival Burnaby, BC, CANADA Jul 26 Pittsburgh Blues Festival Aug 21Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts Sep 17 Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival Fredericton, New Brunswick, CA
