John Mooney is an acoustic blues master who apprenticed
with Son House. He takes the sounds of the delta and syncopates
them with the percussion of the Crescent City. John Mooney
and Bluesiana have toured the world with their brand of
roots rock. He is a staple of the New Orleans scene and
always an integral part of The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage
Festival. His last release "
All
I Want" in 2002
received rave reviews. This time however John Mooney exceeds
all expectations, never has John's songwriting skills been
sharper, his impeccable guitar playing more articulate
or his enthusiasm greater.
With a band that includes special guest, piano great John
Cleary along with Jeff Sarli, bass; Alfred Uganda Roberts,
Congas (Professor Longhair's percussionist); and Raymond
Webber, drums; John Mooney gives us the most passionate
lyrics of his career. Opening with "
2
Get 2 Heaven, you have to go thru hell", John has written nine of
the eleven songs. "
Big Ol' Fiya,
in this house tonight" and "
Dig
My Way 2 China", are two more of the album's outstanding
performances as John's voice is at his very best.
Next John covers Son House's "
Louise
McGhee". "
I
got the blues 3 different ways, I got two mind to leave
here, and I ain't got but one said stay". The "
Grateful
Dead" sounding, "
Kiss
Me" (thanks to John
Cleary's piano) and "
Do You Love
Me" are two
more John Mooney originals. Next is John's version of Grayson
Capps's "Drink A Little Poison 4 U Die" with
John Cleary on Hammond B-3 and Bernard "
Bunchee" Johnson,
drums. Its second line beat will make you loose your seat
because there is no way you won't get up and dance.
"
Been Working All Day Baby", follows. Then John
sings "
Love is a funny thing,
it cracks me up every time I lose again," in "
U
Keep Me Hangin' On".
John closes with "
Real Life", and "
No'
Bout Me".
This album is something very special
for Louisiana fans, and one of the year's best releases.