Thursday’s show at Knuckleheads was evidence of at least two truths: People of all ages still like to go out and dance all night, and there’s still an appetite out there for the blues.
Grey is the lead vocalist and ringmaster of the seven-piece band from Jacksonville, Fla., which drew more than 500 fans to the cozy joint by the railroad tracks. Blustery weather caused the show to be moved indoors, which made things even cozier, especially for those who wanted a spot in front of the stage. The close quarters didn’t inhibit lots of people from dancing throughout the night, though.
Grey writes songs about his Southern heritage, filling them with images and details of his lifestyle and youth, like his grandmother’s cooking in “Ho Cake”: “I love that ox-tail soup with a little rice / I love them candied yams and sweet potato pies”; or the swamplands around “Lochloosa,” a song protesting development and professing love for Lochloosa Lake and its environment: “every mosquito, every rattlesnake, every canebrake — everything.”
Grey sings in a voice filled with grit and soul. Much of the time he sounds like Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes; other times he approximates Otis Redding or Arthur Alexander (though he never quite gets there). When he talks to his audience, which he does frequently, he has the delivery and cadence of a Southern preacher.
Grey sang lead vocals, played keyboards, blues harp and tambourine. Behind him, his band delivered plenty of old-school groove on organ, lap steel, electric guitar and bass. His songs are well-crafted, melodic and groovy.
His is a jam band, at least its members frequent that world, but they keep most of their instrumentals and improvisations short and to a minimum. Even the breaks by his Hercules Horns — Dennis Marion on trumpet and Art Edmaiston on tenor sax — were flashy but relatively brief.
The crowd, a mix of folks in their early 20s to couples in their 60s, was engaged for most of the 100-minute set, even during the more mellow moments like the gritty soul hymn, “Air.” The grimy, bluesy “Country Ghetto” ignited the first big outburst. Other crowd favorites: “Sweetest Thing,” a balmy gust of honeyed, country soul; “Lochloosa”; and “Orange Blossoms,” an irresistible blend of brassy, old-school funk and soul that started the loudest sing-along of the night.
They ended with a flourish: “Brighter Days,” a down-and-out soul anthem with a redemptive vibe; then the infernal and carnal “On Fire,” a five-alarm electric blues/funk number about lust at first sight.
The crowd in front of the stage was on fire, too, including one woman who hopped on stage to find more room to dance. That can happen when a well-oiled band breaks music down to its primal elements.
Setlist: Ybor City; Circles; Air; Country Ghetto; Beautiful World; Georgia Warhorse; Sweetest Thing; Hide and Seek; Lochloosa; War; Orange Blossoms; Everything Good; Slow, Hot and Sweaty; Ho Cake; Brighter Days; On Fire.
| Timothy Finn, The Star
I'm sorry I missed this one and since I realize you guys were so busy with other stuff this weekend, this seemed like as good a place as any to post how good the Band of Heathens were on Saturday night @ Knuckleheads. Very The Band-like in seamlessly covering various musical genres throughout their 2-hour plus set, these guys were basically part jam band, part Americana, part MGs with some country and blues flavorings thrown in, an enthusiastic and a rare younger female-skewed (for Knucks anyway)crowd ate it up with damn near the entire audience (myself included) grooving and dancing during the last half of the show.
In these days of specific, clearly defined genres, BoH kind of defies all that and maybe that has hurt them some commercially, but I for one, applaud and appreciate such a musical gumbo
and it looks like a fairly full-house thought the same and going forward, this band should at least be able to count on converts who are lucky enough to catch their live performances.
Posted by: pellboy | April 23, 2012 at 11:39 AM
This was a really good show, very enjoyable. Something about JJ Grey & Mofro's music brings out the best/beast in women!
For those interested, JJ Grey & Mofro will be playing the 'Dawg Daze of Summer' music festival at Lake Paradise in Lone Jack MO July 26-28 2012.
Posted by: onthemark | April 23, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Yes, I am very interested. Thanks, otm.
Posted by: pellboy | April 23, 2012 at 01:01 PM
otm, checked the Dawg Daze website but didn't see any mention on what night Mofro is playing. I'm assuming Saturday night, mid-festival as they are by far the biggest act but do you have the skinny? Since it's only Lone Jack, my interest would just be the one-day pass as I probably wouldn't mess with camping.
Posted by: pellboy | April 23, 2012 at 03:11 PM
Sorry pellboy, I do not have any additional info right now. I will sure post something when I find out though.
And thanks for your Band of Heathens write up, what a great show that was too!
Posted by: onthemark | April 23, 2012 at 04:09 PM
If anyone wants to know even more about JJ Grey & Mofro there's a fan site with all sorts of info.
www.mofrofans.com
Posted by: Clay | April 24, 2012 at 08:19 AM
Thanks for the tip Clay!
Posted by: onthemark | April 24, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Looks like they're keeping the play date close to the vest until they sell a certain number of 3 day tix. I'm guessing it'll be Fri 7/27 because they're in WI on the 28th. www.jjgrey.com/tour
Posted by: Clay | April 25, 2012 at 10:24 AM