Mighty Mojos – Hook, Line And Sinker (Own Label).

Northern Ireland based Mighty Mojos have done everything for their debut album, from recording to distribution. The result is well worth the effort. The opener, White Lightning, is a powerful R&B, jug band Blues and a good, solid start. The uncomplicated Cindylou follows; a Country boogie and good time music. Can’t Be Satisfied is one of two live tracks on the album, it’s a Blues stomper and a classic Muddy Waters tune, treated well. There’s some good slide guitar work and a world weary vocal with wailing harp. From evidence like this, they sound like a good live band. Am I Wrong has acoustic finger picking and slide with snappy slapped drums. Looks like we’ve found a new slide hero in David McClean. You Wouldn’t Treat A Dog Like That is a rough and tumble Blues. A modern love story, eh and there’s that dirty slide again. Come On In My Kitchen is an often covered song and it’s difficult to be original with a Robert Johnson track. The Mojos try to give it a rhythm and they add slide and harp to give a good version of this classic. McClean’s slide is so powerful.  I Want It All is an upbeat R&B and the eponymous title track is fast paced Delta style Blues with McClean on fire. Alan Ward’s lived in voice sets the song off perfectly. Ward’s gruff vocal also comes to the fore on the Country Blues of Devil In Disguise and everything just fits on this one.  Back To You follows a different tack as they go all Country. Gentle acoustic and a lovely song. The highlight is Tampa Red’s Don’t You Lie To Me. This is a classic and could well confirm Mighty Mojos as a down and dirty Dr Feelgood for the 21^st century.  My only criticism is that bass player Ali McKenzie is lost in most, if not all, of the songs but that can be sorted on the second album. All in all, a very good band but McClean is the man.

www.mightymojos.com

David Blue.