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Blues Underground Network |
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The Mighty Mojo Prophets "The Mighty
Mojo
Prophets"
The Mighty Mojo Prophets have
been spreading their special style of Jazz, Swingin', Jump Style Blues,
under that name since 2007, and "fancy themselves purveyors of high
power, old school blues", and believe me, that is what you will get
from their self titled debut album, for Rip Cat Records, "The Mighty Mojo
Prophets".
"The Mighty Mojo Prophets" consists of
13 great tracks of which 10 were co-written by the founding band members
Tom "Big Son" Eliff and Mitch “Da Switch” Dow. Tom Eliff and Mitch Dow
also co-wrote "Night Train" with Bill and Jim Sautter. Mitch Dow gets sole
credit for writing "Da Switch" and the remaining song "Boogie Woogie
Rhythm" was written by "Whiteboy" James Page of the Legendary 80's and
90's blues band Whiteboy James and the Blues Express, which after a bit of
an hiatus, got themselves back on track in 2006. In addition to Whiteboy
James, "The Mighty Mojo Prophets" also included Alex Woodson, Junior
Watson, Edo Guidotti, Johnny Mastro, San Pedro Slim, Eddie Edstudillo,
Scotty Abeyta, and Da Bluz King (Leonard Ortiz),
as very special guests.
In addition to Tom "Big Son" Eliff
(Vocals) and Mitch “Da Switch” Dow (Guitar), The Mighty Mojo Prophets
consisted of Scott “Hot Rod” Lambert (Standup/Electric Bass), Johnny
Minguez (Drums), and Alex 'Little A' Woodson, for this debut release.
"The Mighty Mojo Prophets" waste
no time at all, as they quickly jump out of the gate with the opening
Track "Evil Sometimes", and rarely give us a chance to set down for a
breather and when you do get a breather you will still be mesmerized with
their slower tunes, especially the great closing Track "Travelin' Man"
which at 5 minutes and 30 seconds is the longest song on this album.
"The Mighty Mojo Prophets" was
just chalked full of highlights for me, which certainly included Junior
Watson's great Solo Guitar work on Tracks 2 "Friday Night Phone Call" and
especially Track 3 "Night Train" and Johnny Mastro's standout
Harp work on Track 7 "West Coast Blues", & Track 8 "Hoodoo
Lover". More highlights included the instrumental track "Da Switch",
written by Mitch “Da Switch” Dow and brilliantly displayed Mitch's
outstanding talent as a Guitarist and Track 12 "Boogie Woogie Rhythm"
which featured Whiteboy James on Vocals. "Boogie Woogie Rhythm" was a
really fun filled Track to listen to.
Favorite tracks on, "The Mighty Mojo
Prophets", were quite numerous but in order to pick just a few, I must say
Tracks 3, 8, & 13, "Night Train", "Hoodoo Lover", and "Travelin'
Man" were at the top of my list, but really all the rest were not far
behind at all.
With the release of "The Mighty Mojo
Prophets", it is no wonder why The Mighty Mojo Prophets are such a hugely
popular American Westcoast band. They really do have it all, with an
amazing singer, Tom "Big Son" Eliff and Guitarist Mitch “Da Switch” Dow
along with the other great members of the band, that truly round out this
extremely tight collection of fabulous artists.
"The Mighty Mojo Prophets" was a
really fun and entertaining album to listen to and one that I have no
problem Highly Recommending regardless of what styles of blues are our
favorite.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues
Underground Network)
Additional Info
Tracklist
1. Evil Sometimes 2:56
2. Friday Night Phone Call 2:41 3. Night Train 4:59 4. Life's A Hurtin' Thing 3:55 5. Smile On My Face 4:17 6. Da Switch 2:43 7. West Coast Blues 3:19 8. Hoodoo Lover 2:56 9. My Baby 3:30 10. Love Me Like You Should 3:09 11. Carmen G 3:00 12. Boogie Woogie Rhythm 2:22 13. Travelin' Man 5:30
Listen To Samples Here...
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