Album Review: JJ Grey & Mofro - Ol’ Glory

On February 24th JJ Grey & Mofro release their newest album Ol' Glory. I listened to an early stream and can say Grey has recorded a winner. You can be sure there's plenty of Grey's signature bluesy and soulful vocals, lyrics based on his northern Florida home, and a great backing effort by Mofro (Anthony Cole - drums, Andrew Trube - guitar, Anthony Farrell - organ, Todd Smallie - bass, Dennis Marion - trumpet, and Jeff Dazey - saxophone). In fact Grey gave the band more freedom to arrange the music by not recording the songs before hitting the studio. He'd vaguely describe what he wanted and let band members improvise. The result is killer. Every Minute is vintage old school Grey and A Night To Remember is where the horns take over combining with Grey's soulful vocals to form one funky song with an extended guitar solo to boot. Turn Loose is complete 70's funk and Brave Lil' Fighter falls within another era. And if you haven't danced by the time Ol' Glory is over, something is wrong. For those in the D.C. area the band plays the Nightclub 9:30 tonight February 18th. Pair with Jacksonville's Bold City Brewery. Cheers.

JJ Grey & Mofro Rock Out The State Theatre

The steadily evolving JJ Grey & Mofro returned to The State Theatre in Falls Church, VA on November 18th and showed why Aligator Records' investment is well worthwhile. Over the past decade, JJ Grey has evolved from a swamp-roots artist to a soulful R&B artist that can dominate a stage. Plus with a full band consisting of horns, keyboards, drums, and the usual - they have a big sound. The one unusual aspect, the absence of longtime Mofro guitarist Daryl Hance, who is now out touring with his own band. 


Getting back to JJ Grey, the band is supporting a new CD, Georgia Warhorse that showcases Grey's soulful vocals and the R&B sound of Mofro. Yet the first song that night was the title track to the last CD, Orange Blossoms, with the rest of the night rotating between these two and Country Ghetto - JJ Grey & Mofro.I'm talking about Diyo Dayo, War, Beautiful World, A Woman, Georgia Warhorse, The Hottest Spot in Hell, Fireflies,  King Hummingbird, Slow Hot & Steady, Everything Good is Bad, On Fire, and The Sweetest Thing. Yea and also the song that started it all, Lochloosa. That even has a more soulful feel know. Go out and see JJ Grey - our favorite Alligator Records artist. We also posted a few videos on the MyJoog YouTube Channel.