Entertainment

JJ Grey & Mofro Gig: Review

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It was just over half way through the set when JJ Grey & Mofro went into ‘Slow, Hot and Sweaty’ and I can tell you the Islington Garage was certainly feeling it. The temperature inside felt like we had been lifted, roof, walls, floor and band across the Atlantic and dumped in the backwoods of Florida, somewhere near JJ Grey’s hometown of Jacksonville, so much so that even he was beginning to sweat. The only person that seemed not to feel it was Texan guitarist Andrew Trube who’s Stetson hat remained firmly fixed on his head for the entire gig, seemingly impervious.

This was the third time I had seen JJ Grey & Mofro live and I have to be honest, probably the best time yet. Fresh from the Avalon Stage at Glastonbury, the band seemed their tightest and most intuitive yet, even JJ Grey’s best efforts to catch them out didn’t work. From the opening chords of ‘War’, through much loved ‘Orange Blossoms’ to second encore ‘On Fire’ the band followed song-writer and frontman JJ Grey’s every beat and move. The audience didn’t stop moving either, whether it was the group of young girls in the middle shaking away, to the couple at the side enjoying a moment to themselves or the older members of the audience nodding their heads and tapping their feet, it was irresistible. This was good old fashioned ‘foot stompin’ music’, as Grand Funk Railroad put it and on fine form.

Mixing up the set list like I’ve not seen before and playing a selection tracks from the brilliant new album ‘This River’ their Otis Redding/Toots & The Maytals inspired soul music sounded as fresh and exciting as I’ve ever heard it. JJ Grey’s ability to work the crowd and provide context to the songs with his storytelling was as perfect as ever (‘On Fire’s’ accompanying ‘armymule’ story was as funny as ever – you’ll just have to see them find out what that’s all about) and we all left with smiles plastered across our faces, feeling that we had been witness to something special.

This was my third time seeing them and I will be there for their next London gig make it a fourth come hell or high water. You might even see me there. JJ Grey & Mofro are on Alligator Records and their new album ‘This River’ is out now available in stores, on iTunes and available to order online from their website: http://www.jjgrey.com/,. You can also follow them on twitter at @jjgreyandmofro and ‘like’ them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mofroband.