Table Of ContentCARGO COLLECTIVE
MARINA ALLEN WHITE FLOWERS ANDY BELL HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER
CANDLEPOWER DAY BY DAY ANOTHER VIEW QUIETLY BLOWING IT
FIRE RECORDS LP / CD TOUGH LOVE LP / CD SONIC CATHEDRAL CD MERGE RECORDS LP / CD
Stunning debut album from hugely gifted LA singer Day By Day is the dark-hued dreampop debut Compilation of the Ride singer/guitarist’s three vinyl The new album from the Grammy-nominated artist.
songwriter Marina Allen. A voice for our times, part Joni from Preston duo, White Flowers, recorded in an EPs, featuring seven remixes by Pye Corner Audio “Vibrant Americana with emotional depth.” – Q
Mitchell, part Laura Nyro. Essential listening - these abandoned textile mill and produced with Doves’ and acoustic versions of songs from his debut solo
beautiful songs are reminiscent of Karen Carpenter and Gez Williams. album ‘The View From Halfway Down’.
Fiona Apple. “A most exciting discovery” Shindig
KING GIZZARD & THE CATENARY WIRES CHEVAL SOMBRE EMMA HOUTON
THE LIZARD WIZARD BIRLING GAP DAYS GO BY THE BATH
LIVE IN LONDON ‘19 SKEP WAX RECORDS LP / CD SONIC CATHEDRAL LP / CD TRAPPED ANIMAL LP
FUZZ CLUB 3LP BOX SET All the melodies and harmony you’d expect from Sounding like John Fahey sitting in with Spiritualized, A timeless celestial vocal dream from New York City.
Amelia Fletcher & Rob Pursey (ex-Heavenly), but with ‘Days Go By’ is the second of two new Cheval Sombre Emma’s unique tapestry leads listeners on a calming,
1 of 9 King Gizzard bootleg albums from Fuzz Club,
lyrics & instrumentation that take the songs onto albums to appear in 2021. It was produced by Sonic exquisite journey. “her ambient soundscapes brim
this discography-spanning, triple LP box-set captures
another level. Sophisticated pop music that takes a Boom and features guests including Dean Wareham with escapism …and enchantment” Highclouds
a 2019 show at Alexandra Palace. Exclusive remaster
deep dark look at the country we live in. of Galaxie 500 and Luna. Magazine.
by Brett Orrison (Jack White, The Black Angels).
CULT OF DOM KELLER FACS PORTUGAL. THE MAN HAILU MERGIA
THEY CARRIED THE DEAD IN A U.F.O PRESENT TENSE OREGON CITY SESSIONS AND THE WALIAS BAND
FUZZ CLUB RECORDS LP TROUBLE IN MIND LP / CD APPROACHNG AIRBALLOONS 2LP / 2CD TEZETA
British psych-rock heavyweights Cult of Dom Keller Chicago trio’s fourth album hones their stark, A one-take live time capsule from 2008 when the AWESOME TAPES FROM AFRICA LP / CD
conjure dark, industrial noise on their fifth album minimal scrape & clatter through post-rock, young band had just completed a 2 year cycle which
Hailu Mergia and the Walias Band’s relatively
‘They Carried The Dead In A U.F.O’, out May 21st on industrial, dub, and cacophonous experimental included an incredible 3 LPs, 1 EP, and 500 shows.
unknown first album Tezeta comes as a complete
Fuzz Club. detonations.
revelation to anyone who loves Ethiopian jazz from
the so-called golden era of the mid 1970s.
LOU BARLOW FLY PAN AM LORAINE JAMES TREES
REASON TO LIVE FRONTERA REFLECTION TREES (50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
JOYFUL NOISE RECORDINGS LP / CD CONSTELLATION LP / CD HYPERDUB LP / CD EARTH RECORDINGS 4LP/4CD BOX SET
First full length solo album since 2015’s Brace the Soundtrack to the acclaimed multi-media dance Loraine James’ second Hyperdub album is a turbulent Repress of last years sold out box set available now.
Wave. Reason to Live is shambolic and grand yet piece about borders and surveillance: the most expression of inner-space, laid out in unflinching 4 disc 50th anniversary edition - 12” book includes
intimate and doting, warmly acoustic and crackling direct, sculpted, starkly evocative music in Fly honesty, offering gentle empathy and bitter-sweet liner notes from the band and Stewart Lee. Featuring
with grit. Pan Am’s oeuvre, juxtaposing icy electronics and hope. ‘Reflection’ is a brave step forward for a alternate mixes, early demos, BBC session tracks
minimalist motorik avant-rock. unique and creative 21st century musician. and live recordings.
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C O N T E N T S
LONDON ) MEMPHIS ) ANDOVER
JULY 2021 Issue 332
FEATURES
28 NOEL GALLAGHER
Wit and
wisdom from Britpop’s hedonist-in-chief-turned-solo
seeker. Find out which of his songs he hates and why
he’s “such a fucking Gemini”.
36 REDSKINS
On the political battlefield of ’80s
Britain, their punk-rock soul and street-smart Harringtons
stood out. Then their singer all but vanished. Why?
42 THE TROGGS
How Reg Balls changed his
name and Wild Thing changed their lives. Eyewitnesses
recall the ribaldry, rip-offs and an electrocuted lion.
46 BIG STAR
The patron saint of luckless bands
was born 50 years ago. But whose group was it, really?
And what were the real reasons for its untimely doom?
54 SONS OF KEMET
For a decade,
the pack leaders of Brit Jazz have brought sax fire,
“I don’t think I percussive flair and topical discourse: “It’s about
our freedom to be multiple.”
need
ever did to
58 THE BLACK KEYS
Dan Auerbach
be on drugs, it’s and Patrick Carney return to their garage-blues
roots to hymn their Top 10 heroes: Howlin’ Wolf,
just that I always Son House, Junior Kimbrough and more.
was
on drugs.” COVER STORY
NOEL GALLAGHER, P28 64 JONI MITCHELL
Blue, Joni’s first
masterpiece, celebrates its Golden Jubilee and
MOJO charts its epic odyssey of love and pain.
The best record by the best singer-songwriter y
of our times? Just ask David Crosby. ett
G
MOJO 3
John Grant,
Michigan boy:
Albums, p86.
REGULARS
9 ALL BACK TO MY PLACE
Eddy Grant, The Anchoress and Mickey Dolenz,
start your turntables, the night is young.
106 REAL GONE
Jim Steinman, Les
McKeown, DMX, Constance Demby, Lew Lewis
and more, we salute you.
112 ASK MOJO
Who made yer actual
complete films of their albums?
114 HELLO GOODBYE
First it
shambled, and then it became twee. Amelia
Fletcher recalls the rise and fall of Talulah Gosh.
Cassandra
Jenkins, MOJO
Rising, p24. WHAT GOES ON!
12 ROKY ERICKSON
There’s a new
tribute album to Austin, Texas’ psychedelic
genius, and Billy F Gibbons, Jeff Tweedy, Margo
Price and more are along for the ride. But how’d
it happen, and why?
14 RECORD STORE DAY
The lockdown’s been bad for many things – and
not buying records in person has been a
grievous wrong. This June 12 that all ends. But
what to buy? Read on for our ready reckoner.
16 SHAUN RYDER
He last released a
solo LP in 2003. Now he’s finally readying the
follow-up. Speaking from the garden shed, X
tells us why. Plus, about that new Happy
Mondays record…
18 MERRY CLAYTON
She’s the
mighty backing voice on Gimme Shelter, Sweet
Home Alabama and more. Now, rising above the
most extraordinary challenges, she’s back in
Confidential mood to help ease our burdens.
22 WIGAN CASINO
It was the
home of Northern soul from 1973 to 1981.
Liverpool snapper Francesco Mellina chronicled
its final night, and he recalls the highs, lows and
aromas with some outtasight photos.
MOJO FILTER
78 NEW ALBUMS
Lucy Dacus shares
her Home Video, plus Sleater-Kinney, John
Grant, Lambchop and more.
92 REISSUES
Can, very live in ’75, José
Mauro, Hailu Mergia & The Walias Band, Black
Sabbath and more.
Video star: 104 BOOKS Jim Morrison’s Collected Works,
Lucy Dacus,
plus Jayne County, Kristin Hersh, and more.
Lead Album, p78.
ett
THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE... n
ar
G
n-
Robert Gordon Keith Cameron Ian Wright yla
o
B
Robert is a writer and film-maker Hurrying home one evening in “All my music discoveries came m
in Memphis. His books include It the winter of 1988/89, MOJO’s via the medium of radio, and still ha
d
Came From Memphis and the Contributing Editor saw ex-Red- are, via the incredible growth of n
y
W
Muddy Waters biography Can’t skins singer Chris Dean selling internet radio. Independent n,
Be Satisfied. Recent films include Socialist Worker at Willesden heavyweight champion NTS is o
s
Best Before Death with Bill Green station. Keith was halfway my choice 24/7, and my ears are arri
H
Drummond and Emmy-winner to his flat before realising he’d continually blessed. As Albert y
e
Best Of Enemies. His Big Star box walked past a scoop, and ran back Ayler said in 1969, ‘Music is the Tr
set linernotes won a Grammy: he – but the commissar was gone. Healing Force of the Universe.’” ght,
writes about the band on p46. Keith’s Redskins feature is on p36. Ian illustrates our Lead LP, p79. Wri
n
a
I
4 MOJO
mybloodyvalentine.org dominomusic.com
Like many musicians on this comp, Pee Wee Got My Gun was a critical A pistol-packing, no-bullshit
Kimbrough came to notice quite record in the early friendship of maverick, Hemphill first picked up a
Recorded in 1979 by musicologist
late in life, in the 1990s. This classic, Auerbach and Carney and, as he guitar when she was seven, in 1930,
David Evans, Burnside is here joined
though, dates from his first session, by three sons and a son-in-law for reveals on page 58, the former but rarely played outside private
in Memphis in 1966. Part languid the sort of wiry boogie that could spent time with the legendarily parties in Mississippi until the ’80s.
swing, part droning trance-out, roll on all night. “R.L. had a volatile Ford, staying overnight in This low-slung ’90s prowler came
“it’s hypnotic music,” says Carney, backbeat with his thumb like his trailer. The last time Carney saw three years before a stroke halted
“to play it you have to go into some nobody else – like, wacka-wacka,” T-Model Ford was at ArthurFest in her guitar-playing. “Man, I wish I
kind of primal state. If you start explains Auerbach. “It was just so LA, 2005 – the same weekend he could have seen her,” says Dan.
thinking about, you’ve fucking lost it.” much forward momentum, it got heard R.L. Burnside had died. “She’s one of my favourites.”
everybody in the room moving.”
Written by David ‘Junior’ Kimbrough. Published by Written by James Ford. Published by Big Legal Written by Jessie Mae Hemphill. Published by
Mockingbird Blues Publishing (BMI). Administered Written by Jimmy Rogers. Published by Arc Mess Publishing Ltd. ᝈ&©1997 Fat Possum Music River ᝈ&©1997 Hightone Music Group.
by Wixen Music Publishing ᝈ&© 2009 Big Legal ᝈ&©Inside Sounds ᝈInside Memphis licensed by Records/ Epitaph. From Pee Wee Got My Gun (Fat Originally released in 1990 by High Water
Mess Records. From First Recordings (Big Legal Mess). High Water Recording Company (Inside Sounds). Possum Records). Recording Company.
s
n
ki
Wil
k
c
a
Bl
a
u
h
s
o
2), J
s (
et
e
n P A second classic from the Sun Even by the standards of the artists Another cut, not unreasonably, From the first album Kimbrough
oh vaults, this time a 1954 cut from here, Welch started recording late: from Hemphill’s 1990 album, Feelin’ released back in 1992. Recorded in
2), J harmonica maestro Cotton that the longtime lumberjack was 81 Good. Listen out for how the lyrics his Chulahoma juke joint, Slow
ds ( features – as does Junior Parker’s when his first album was released in embed her art as a family calling, a Lightnin’ makes clear Auerbach’s
cor Love My Baby – the trailblazing Pat 2014. Don’t Let The Devil Ride tradition that stretches back to her comparison between him and Ali
e
m R Hare on super-distorted electric comes from a 2015 session grandfather Sid Hemphill, who was Farka Touré. “When I hear Kimbrough
u guitar. A member of Howlin’ Wolf’s produced by Auerbach and recorded by Alan Lomax in the and R.L. Burnside,” says Carney, “I
s
s
Po band prior to Cotton Crop Blues, featuring his other band, The Arcs 1940s. “She had the most amazing hear self-taught guys channelling
Fat Cotton then spent a decade as (including the late, great Richard Southern drawl, and she just wrote the energy. Blues from rural north
y
es Muddy Waters’ bandleader, and Swift). It was released in 2019, two amazing songs,” reckons Auerbach, Mississippi, [this is] all gonna be lost
urt was still recording as late as 2013. years after Welch passed on. admiringly. unless people embrace the music.”
o
1), C He died, aged 81, in 2017. (Traditional) arranged by Leo ‘Bud’ Welch, Written by Jessie Mae Hemphill. Published by Written by David ‘Junior’ Kimbrough. Published
1
y ( James Cotton – Cotton Crop Blues (Cotton). ᝈ&©2019 Easy Eye Sound®. From The Angels In Music River ᝈ&©1997 Hightone Music Group. by Mockingbird Blues Publishing. ᝈ&©1995 Fat
Gett Published by Hi-Lo Music. Heaven Done Signed My Name (Easy Eye Sound); Originally released in 1990 by High Water Possum Records. From All Night Long (Fat Possum
http://easyeyesound.com Recording Company. Records).
6 MOJO
HEN DAN AUERBACH AND PATRICK CARNEY SAT DOWN TO
compile this very special CD for MOJO, they were adamant
it shouldn’t just be a Black Keys Guide To The Blues. Instead,
they wanted to be more specific, zeroing in on the propulsive
throb of the Hill Country Blues, the North Mississippi sound that’s
been a profound influence on The Black Keys right up to their new
album, Delta Kream. “It’s music that’s always resonated with me,
and that we’ve tried to emulate,” says Carney. “We learnt to play
trying to play like those guys. Now when we play it, I don’t feel like
a re-enactor, I feel like I actually channel the energy.”
Here, then, is a rollcall of heroes, programmed by Dan and Pat
for long days and longer nights, for drives where the road goes on
forever. “I’m definitely excited to be able to talk about some of
these artists, some of these obscure records, to make this playlist,”
Auerbach tells us. “I like going back and making a mixtape for
everybody. It’s so cool.”
A first appearance for The Black A fervid ramalam recorded by Jones
Keys, as Auerbach produced this set in 1995, around the time he took
McDowell’s solo magic was first Originally from Coahoma County,
by Holmes, owner of Mississippi’s part in Fat Possum’s ‘Mississippi
caught by Alan Lomax at McDowell’s Herman ‘Junior’ Parker’s early sides
oldest juke joint and last master of a Juke Joint Caravan’ tours. Auerbach
home in Como, Mississippi in 1959, link Mississippi blues to nascent
local blues strain, the Bentonia recalls hearing how, once,
but Auerbach’s favourite session is rock’n’roll. An early collaborator of
this one from 1964. Says Carney, school. Born in 1947, Holmes was Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland and B.B. King, “somebody told Paul that he’d done
“North Mississippi is lawless, insane, recorded by Alan Lomax, David Parker was scouted by Ike Turner, a really great show, and T-Model
so impoverished but so culturally Evans and Fat Possum before before Sam Phillips snagged him for [Ford] took offence, thinking that
rich. It’s fertile ground for weirdos to fetching up on Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sun. There, in 1953, Parker recorded he’d somehow beaten him, and he
pop up, whether you’re William Sound for 2019’s Cypress Grove. this rowdy rockabilly twanger – actually pulled his knife on Paul in
Faulkner or Mississippi Fred.” and, of course, its A-side: the the van, while they were driving.”
Written by Robert Petway. Published by © Songs
original version of Mystery Train.
Written by Mississippi Fred McDowell. Published of Universal, Inc. (BMI), ᝈ&©2019 Easy Eye Written by Paul Jones. Published by –
by Tradition Music Co. ᝈ&©1989. From You Gotta Sound®. From Cypress Grove (Easy Eye Sound); Little Junior Parker – Love My Baby (Parker). Mockingbird Blues Publishing Ltd. ᝈ&©1995 Fat
Move (Arhoolie/Smithsonian Folkways Recordings). http://easyeyesound.com Published by Memphis Music. Possum Records. From Mule (Fat Possum Records).
If Going Away, Baby showcased A song made famous by Burnside, The Black Keys’ 2002 debut had a
Burnside’s electric chug, Miss hotwired by The Black Keys with the necessary quota of Burnside and
Maybelle catches him solo and assistance of his old slide guitarist, Kimbrough covers, but a clutch of
acoustic, drilling into the essence of Kenny Brown, and Junior originals too. Yearnin’ showed how
Hill Country Blues. This essential Kimbrough’s sometime bassist Eric effectively they could fold North
version of a Burnside standard was Deaton. Recording of Delta Kream Mississippi blues into streamlined
recorded in the early ‘80s in proved swift: “It was wild, they were garage rock. “Honestly,” says
Groningen, Netherlands, around so locked in,” remembers Auerbach. Auerbach, “I didn’t know anybody
the time he retired from farm work “Kenny knew all of R.L.’s tunes, the else who even liked that shit,
to concentrate, finally, on music. whole repertoire.” besides Pat. But luckily we grew up
a block and a half from each other.”
Written by R.L. Burnside. Published by Big Legal (featuring Kenny Brown & Eric Deaton). Written
Mess Publishing Ltd. ᝈ&©1984 & 1985 by Joseph Lee Williams. Published by Testament Written by Auerbach/Carney. Published by
Swingmaster. Under exclusive license to Fat Music c/o BMG Bumblebee (BMI), ᝈ&©2021 McMoore McLesst adm. Wixen Music Publishing.
Possum Records LLC. From Mississippi Hill Country Nonesuch Records Inc. From Delta Kream From The Big Come Up (Alive Naturalsound
Blues (Fat Possum Records). (Nonesuch Records); nonesuch.com Records); www.alive-records.com
NEW MUSIC FROM RECORDS GROUP
THE BROTHER BROTHERS – SHANNON MCNALLY – A.J. CROCE – By Request COLIN HAY – Going Somewhere
Calla Lily The Waylon Sessions (Limited Edition White Vinyl)
Featuring covers of Allen Toussaint,
“With fi ngerpicked arpeggios, a splash of funky Features Buddy Miller, Jessi Colter, The Beach Boys, Billy Preston, Faces, Featuring some of Colin’s best known solo
electric keyboard, and some close harmonies Lukas Nelson & Rodney Crowell The Five Stairsteps, Neil Young, work, including “Beautiful World”, “Waiting
that suggest Simon & Garfunkel over Willie Randy Newman, Sam Cooke, Shorty Long, For My Real Life To Begin, and “I Just Don’t
“On this gem of an album, McNally’s covers the
Nelson, the Brother Brothers offer a bittersweet Solomon Burke, Sonny Terry & Think I’ll Ever Get Over You,” which was
late outlaw country star feel as much a a tribute
ode to the touring life and days that seem long Brownie McGhee, and Tom Waits! featured in the hit fi lm, Garden State.
to Waylon Jennings’ attitude and independent
past.” —ROLLING STONE COUNTRY
spirits to his music. ” — MOJO ****
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Eddy Grant
MAYOR OF ELECTRIC AVENUE
What music are you currently Rolling Stones fan because they
grooving to? played incessant Chuck Berry music,
I’m grooving to life. There’s a song which I didn’t know at the time. I
called Grooving Out On Life, by bought it from a guy on the Holloway
Hopeton Lewis, out of Jamaica. It’s Road. His name was Frank, a great
hard though, I listen to everything. It guy, very decent.
shows the degree of swing I’ve got in Which musician, other than your-
my head. I sing, consistently, What self, have you ever wanted to be?
A Wonderful World. It helps me to see
Chuck Berry. I saw him at the
things in a positive, half-full way.
Rainbow, Finsbury Park. A seminal
What, if push comes to shove, is meeting of souls!
your all-time favourite album? What do you sing in the shower?
I can give you 10. Tracks Of My Tears, I don’t. I may whistle Isn’t She Lovely,
I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Emmerton but my mouth would be full of water,
by the Mighty Gabby, Say It Loud – like, blublublublub.
I’m Black And I’m Proud, No Woman
What is your favourite Saturday
No Cry, live… I’ve got an almost
night record?
encyclopaedic memory of great
That’s hard. I’d have been on-stage, in
songs. Each one, if they were the
the early days… Leave that for now.
only song left for me to listen to in
perpetuity, would qualify. And your Sunday morning record?
I’d play Wonderful World. It will never
What was the first record you ever
get old, as long as there’s a world.
bought? And where did you buy it?
Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, I Belong To You is out now. See eddygrant.
Standing In The Shadow? I was a big com for info.
A L L B A C K T O M Y P L A C E
THE STARS REVEAL THE SONIC DELIGHTS GUARANTEED TO GET THEM GOING...
Micky Dolenz What, if push comes to shove, is The Anchoress
your all-time favourite album?
TOO MUCH MONKEE Sgt. Pepper by The Beatles. I don’t ART ROCK
BUSINESS know whatever happened to them, UP-AND-COMER
but what a great album. I was invited
What music are you currently to attend a recording session for What music are you currently
grooving to? them in London and got dressed up grooving to?
Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Johnny in the best of the ’60s fashion. When On repeat at the moment are Billy
Mathis. Billie Holiday during the I got there, it was just the four of Nomates’ Emergency Telephone
day. I’ve always been a fan and her them in jeans, sitting on folding EP – which is pure groove and
music was always on in my house. chairs in the studio, and at one point growl – and Hannah Peel’s recent
John Lennon pointed up to George
I’ve always loved Mathis, you listen Fir Wave album, which is like a
Martin – in a three-piece suit – to
to one of his records and it definitely holiday for your brain, channelling
start the playback and Sgt. Pepper
sets a mood. Sinatra, late-afternoon Delia Derbyshire.
came blaring out of the speakers.
for sure. Both my parents [George
What, if push comes to shove, is
I’ll never forget it.
Dolenz and Janelle Johnson] were
your all-time favourite album?
actors, so the music was always What was the first record you ever
If I have to pick one at gunpoint,
there. My mom sang and really whet bought? And where did you buy it?
Kate Bush’s Hounds Of Love is still
my appetite for these amazing Little Star by The Elegants at Which musician, other than your-
a beacon of perfection for me. I still
vocalists. My dad sang too. So, I Wallichs Music City in Hollywood, self, have you ever wanted to be?
hold it up as the bar I’m trying to
was hooked from day one. which was the spot to go back in reach, so each and every review of I don’t think I have, because so many
those days in Hollywood for your
my album that mentions her name of the musicians I looked up to were
music. Frank Zappa worked there as
makes me grin a little bit more. men. There are lots of people whose
a clerk, if you can imagine!
careers I admire, of course – David
What was the first record you
Which musician, other than your- Bowie, Björk, Kate Bush, Scott
ever bought? And where did you
self, have you ever wanted to be? Walker. But I’d like to just do me.
buy it?
I can’t answer that. What do you sing in the shower?
It was Prince’s ‘symbol’ album from
What do you sing in the shower? HMV in Oxford when CDs were still Nope! Only if I’m warming up to go on
Misty. Written by Erroll Garner and really expensive, and it took me stage. I sing more in my head than out
sung by Johnny Mathis. months to save up. I got the bus loud. I tend to save it for the studio.
What is your favourite Saturday over there with some friends What is your favourite Saturday
night record? without telling my Mum. She was night record?
pretty cross. I still have the CD
I’d have to go to my big three 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep…
and play it all the time.
again, Sinatra, Holiday and I haven’t been as excited about
Mathis and throw in a little Ella a band since the Manic Street
Fitzgerald. Just fantastic vocals Preachers.
“Kate Bush –
and recordings.
And your Sunday morning record?
And your Sunday morning record? a beacon of BBC 6Music, or something like Nico’s
an Something by Andrés Segovia. perfection.” Desert Shore or Scott 3 by Scott
m I started off playing classical guitar Walker to ease myself into the mel-
Cart and he still is a big favourite. ancholia of another week beginning.
e THE ANCHORESS
odi Dolenz Sings Nesmith is out on May 21. The Art Of Losing is out now.
J
MOJO 9
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Editor
John Mulvey
I’M ALWAYS A BIT SCEPTICAL WHEN
Senior Editor
Danny Eccleston
people argue about what might be the finest year for music (my only-slightly
Art Editor
Mark Wagstaff
sanctimonious set response: every year’s great if you dig deep enough).
Associate Editor
(Production) Nevertheless, as 2021 rolls on and we tick off the albums celebrating their 50th
Geoff Brown
anniversaries, it’s easier and easier to understand why so many of you punt 1971
Associate Editor
(Reviews)
as the annus mirabilis. Already this year, we’ve marked the golden jubilees of
Jenny Bulley
Associate Editor Tapestry, What’s Going On, Déjà Vu, Ram and Maggot Brain, testimony to the range
(News)
Ian Harrison of 1971’s key albums, as well as their enduring brilliance.
Deputy Art Editor
This month, we head back to A&M Records in Los Angeles, just down the
Del Gentleman
Picture Editor corridor from where Carole King is recording Tapestry in Studio B. Studio C is
Matt Turner
Senior Associate Editor tiny, but it doesn’t need to hold many musicians: mostly just Joni Mitchell, a
Andrew Male
piano, a guitar, and the songs of questing love and heartbreak that will become
Contributing Editors
Phil Alexander, the most treasured of all her albums, Blue. These songs are small-scale, intimate,
Keith Cameron,
Sylvie Simmons unnervingly so at times, but the story behind them takes place on a grand stage,
For mojo4music.com contact
encompassing a schooner in Jamaica, the hippy caves of Crete, jet-set parties
Danny Eccleston
in Ibiza, the New Mexico desert and the Isle Of Wight, and the starriest of
Thanks for their help with
this issue: supporting casts. “There is a certain amount of life in all my songs,” Mitchell
Keith Cameron, Fred Dellar,
Del Gentleman, Ian Whent says. “If I have any personal philosophy it is that I like truth.” So do we: here’s
Among this month’s the real story of one of the greatest albums of any year.
contributors:
Martin Aston, John Aizlewood,
Mark Blake, Mike Barnes,
Glyn Brown, John Bungey,
David Buckley, Keith Cameron,
Stevie Chick, Andrew Collins,
Andy Cowan, Fred Dellar,
Tom Doyle, Daryl Easlea,
David Fricke, Andy Fyfe, Pat
Gilbert, Robert Gordon, Grayson
Haver Currin, David Hutcheon, JOHN MULVEY, EDITOR
Chris Ingham, Jim Irvin, Colin
Irwin, David Katz, Dorian Lynskey,
Andrew Male, James McNair, Lucy
You’re too sweet for You’re more important than
O’Brien, Andrew Perry, Jon Savage,
Victoria Segal, David Sheppard,
rock’n’roll all the silly machinery
Michael Simmons, Sylvie Simmons,
Ben Thompson, Kieron Tyler,
I don’t know how you do it, but you’ve managed Another MOJO, another cracking issue [MOJO
Charles Waring, Lois Wilson,
Stephen Worthy to keep your high standards even with the current 330]. Really loved the piece on Blind Willie McTell,
restrictions. MOJO 330 is no exception. As usual one of my favourite Dylan songs. I once saw Martin
Among this month’s
a stunning cover (improved for subscribers with Simpson perform the song, in tandem with the old
photographers:
Joni Mitchell cover: Nurit Wilde; the lack of text) and your usual high standards of trad song St James’ Infirmary. He later explained
(inset) Matt Crockett. design throughout. However, I must really thank that he believed Dylan had written the song while
The Black Keys cover: © Alysse
Gafkjen 2019 you for your tribute to What’s Going On, Marvin he was staying in St James’ Hotel in London and
Greg Allen, Peter Anderson, Ann Gaye’s trailblazing album from half a century ago. thinking about the song St James’ Infirmary.
Arbor, Sherry Rayn Barnett, David
I remember being knocked out by it when Derek Simpson sets it out in the notes on his album
Bell, Jodie Cartman, Tim Considine,
Matt Crockett, Steve Double, Jacobs, the DJ at Plymouth’s seminal rock club Vagrant Stanzas, where he records his version.
Karl Ferris, John Fry, Alysse Van Dike, first played it. It was in stark contrast to Dylan himself would have known Blind Willie
Gafkjen, Tony Gale, Craig Luckin,
Francesco Melina, Michael O’Brien, the mainly rock music that we were hearing. Still McTell had recorded a version of the song
Tom Oldham, Don Paulsen, my favourite album of all time, it has lost none of (The Dying Crapshooter’s Blues).
Paul Popper, Tom Sheehan,
its ability to move the listener deeply. It’s probably Gerald Cleaver, Riddlecombe, Chulmleigh
Paul Slattery, Joshua Black Wilkins
an influence on the great Michael Kiwanuka, whose
Mercury-winning album has the same soulful voice You wanna be a true friend
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with great orchestrations. Takes me straight back to
0185 8438884 to them? Be honest, and
a time when musicians of all genres were willing
unmerciful
For subscription or back issue queries contact to make a stand, take a chance and explore a
CDS Global on [email protected]
To access from outside the UK bigger world. Nice Weller cover story [MOJO 331]! Though I was
Dial: +44 (0)185 8438884 Roy Perring, via e-mail bemused by his slight reluctance to take the Covid
10 MOJO