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JJ GREY & MOFRO - THIS RIVER
(Alligator Records / in-akustik)
Veröffentlichung: 10. Mai 2013
The New York Times nennt es „Southern Swamp Rock mit einem kräftigen Unterton an
Memphis Soul“.
JJ Grey ist Fleisch gewordene Energie und Leidenschaft. Er spielt hervorragend Gitarre, hat
mit Mofro eine großartige Begleitband und sein Gesang ist zum Niederknien. Als Sänger dürfte
JJ Grey zu den mitreißendsten Live-Performern gehören. Spürbar beeinflusst von der
Emotionalität der klassischen Soulhelden hat der Mann aus Jacksonville Florida, seine Musik
auf ein Fundament aus Rhythm & Blues, Rock und den Country Soul seiner ländlichen Heimat
gestellt.
Dass sich die New York Times mit dem Gitarristen und Sänger befasst, liegt daran, dass JJ Grey in
den USA einen sehr, sehr hohen Stellenwert (wie etwa Joe Bonamassa) genießt. Seine Tourneen
sind fast durchweg ausverkauft.
JJ Grey & Mofro in Deutschland live:
16.Mai | Worpswede | Worpswede Music Hall
17.Mai | Dortmund | FZW
18.Mai | Schöppingen | Grolsch Blues Festival
20.Mai | Aschaffenburg | Colos-Saal
21.Mai | Mannheim | Alte Seilerei
10. Juli CH - Locarno moon&stars festival
11. Juli Düsseldorf Pitcher
THIS RIVER Grey's seventh album (his fifth for Alligator Records) and his first studio album since
2010's acclaimed Georgia Warhorse. The New York Times says Grey's singing is "impassioned" and
the band plays "riff-based Southern rock, cold-blooded swamp funk and sly Memphis soul."
THIS RIVER, like his previous releases, was produced by Grey and Dan Prothero, and recorded at
Retrophonics Studio in Saint Augustine, Florida, with additional recording done in Grey's home studio,
known as "The Egg Room."
As proven by his previous albums, Grey is a meticulous storyteller. "Many of the new songs," says
Grey, "are about being your own worst enemy, and about normal folks pushing themselves over the
edge." Grey's lyrics and slice-of-life scenarios are filled with honest detail, helping to bring his
emotionally complex characters to life in songs including Somebody Else, 99 Shades Of Crazy, The
Ballad Of Larry Webb and This River. "I see a little bit of myself in these songs," Grey states. "The
difference is in the choices people make."
His gritty vocals and punchy horn arrangements add even more depth to the lyrical album. Grey's
fervent delivery and the expert musicianship of the band pull the listener deep inside each track,
making THIS RIVER a deeply moving and engaging musical statement. "I took my time and I'm happy
for it," says Grey.
For THIS RIVER, Grey brought the whole band in to the studio and cut most of the tracks live. To JJ,
the result was a bit more like their live show. "It adds so much more to the dynamic of a recording. It's
so different when you get to play off each other rather than overdub each track," says Grey.
JJ Grey & Mofro will appear at SxSW in Austin, Texas in March and then head out on a massive
cross-country tour. Grey and the band have been road-testing the new songs at sound-checks for a
while now, and they're ready to hit the ground running. "This time around there's no learning curve," he
says. "We'll be ready from the git-go."