|
Country Ghetto | 
 enlarge | Artist: Jj Grey & Mofro
Label: Alligator Records
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $10.53
You Save: $7.45 (41%)
New (35) Used (11) Collectible (1) from $6.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 6695
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 4914
UPC: 014551491422
EAN: 0014551491422
ASIN: B000MGVBNW
Release Date: February 20, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED FREE UPGRADE TO 1ST CLASS SHIPPING IN 24 HRS M-F W/ DEL CONFIRMATION
|
| Tracks:
| • | War | | • | Circles | | • | Country Ghetto | | • | Tragic | | • | By My Side | | • | On Palastine | | • | Footsteps | | • | Turpentine | | • | A Woman | | • | Mississippi | | • | The Sun Is Shining Down | | • | Goodbye |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Within the soul-drenched music of northern Florida's JJ Grey and band, the roots run as deep as the influences are indelible. "War" and "By My Side" sound like Southern-fried Sly and the Family Stone. "Turpentine" recalls the swamp funk of Tony Joe White. Both "A Woman" and "The Sun Is Shining Down" suggest long-lost Otis Redding sessions in Muscle Shoals, while "Mississippi" takes Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" on a trip down to the delta. From the harmonica-laced country blues of the title track to the gospel piano and choir of "On Palestine," Grey's music compensates with conviction for what it lacks in originality. --Don McLeese
Album Description
JJ Grey & MOFRO's Alligator debut, Country Ghetto features 12 original JJ Grey compositions that come right out of the Southern musical and literary tradition. Grey's ear for detail inhabits his songs, whether it is a story passed down to him from his grandmother or the tribulations of a childhood friend. His voice delivers them with an unflinching strength that makes the personal universal and paints a vivid portrait of an exact time or place with words and music. Like his songs, his rich, soulful vocals are forceful and commanding, seemingly old beyond his years. And the music, from smoldering soul ballads to gospel-fried funk to straight ahead rock `n' roll, brings it all home with danceable grooves and a melodic freshness that will stay with you long after the album ends. Grey's songwriting influences are widespread. "I listen to people who tell the story," he says, naming Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, R.L. Burnside, Tony Joe White, Jerry Reed, Otis Redding, Dr. John, Sly & The Family Stone, Van Morrison, Bill Withers and Dan Penn. What these writers and performers have in common is a love for simplicity, evoking complex emotions with a minimal number of words. As a performer, Grey is influenced by the sexually charged blues of Howlin' Wolf, the country soul of George Jones and the hard funk of James Brown, as well as local personalities like street preachers and old time radio DJs.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 A lot more than "Southern Rock" October 31, 2008
So sure, if you like early Allman Brothers, you'll probably like JJ Grey and Mofro. But its unfair and limiting to leave it at that (since the comparison with the Allmans probably ends with the fact that Greg and JJ both have powerful, raw voices). This album has a number of sounds/influences pervading it that I think make it more accessiable to other musical tastes. For instance, there are parts of Country Ghetto that remind me of the Faces instrumentals, parts reminiscient of the Stones at their Bluesy best from late 60's-eary 70's, and others that have that "alt country" thing going on. Chalk it up to JJ Grey -- in addition to having a raw "blue-eyed soul" singing voice, he's also able to play a wide variety of instruments that allows him to range across musical genres. He also knows how to write a hook that is catchy but doesn't end up in pop land. The result is I've been able to turn on friends to this album with just one play -- be it a buddy from New Orleans or another from SFO -- with the differnet musical tastes that suggests. Definitely recomend this for folks how like good storylines in their music as well as a good driving sound. Hope that's useful -- one of the cool things about this album is that its a bit hard to typecast!
Download this CD! September 23, 2008
Mofro is the man. Download this and then thank yourself for doing so now.
Excellent service. Thank you! June 4, 2008
There are several songs on this CD that are great including "A Woman ..." I first heard it at a Southern Miss baseball game and decided I wanted it. More songs like this one in another CD would be appreciated! If you like southern music this is the CD to get!
Simply the best February 23, 2008
I was introduced to Mofro less than 2 years ago and they have quickly become one of my favorite bands of all time. K. Sullivan's reviews hit the nail on the head. There is not much more I can add, except that these guys are even better on stage, and if you get a chance to see them, do NOT miss them - ever. Many wonder why they aren't big time stars, and they absolutely should be, but lucky for us who get to see them in small, intimate blues bars mere feet from the stage. I've seen them about 6 times in the past 18 months, and JJ's soul and passion never cease to amaze me. Every time, he sings each song as if it's the first time, and his charisma and stage presence know no bounds. The chemistry between him and his band is genuine, and the fun they have on stage translates into transcending tunes.
 Great Record February 11, 2008
JJ Grey and Mofro are one of the best live shows I have ever seen. Buy this album and the two previous and you will not be disappointed. I would go see them live again and again.
|
|
|
|
