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 button. 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 the 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.
Maurice Hope
Emusic Listen and Download here
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