CD Reviews
brought to you by
Blues On Stage
|
|
"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
| |
Mojo Collins
World Full of Strange
(Pastales Music)
Review Date: October 2007
by Arthur Shuey
The stories go back a long way, and most are true. Before there were blues societies and regular blues venues throughout the Southeast, there was singer/songwriter/guitarist Mojo Collins. When people in the region began thinking about forming blues societies, they inventoried the resources with which they could bring America's music to prospective fans, and the name, “Mojo Collins” headed their resource inventory lists. For many years now, live blues has been easy to find in the Southeast, and Mojo Collins is exploring some other avenues.
“World Full of Strange” is a modern release based on blues based on rock, in sound and attitude somewhat like the classic solo releases of Peter Green and Bob Welch, but with the impressive added facet of Mojo's having played every instrument on the recording. Detached from and beyond the traditional definitions, habits and restrictions of blues form, it puts us in touch with Mojo's past, present and future.
As he's developed his own sound independent of the blues form though always resting easily upon it, he has interwoven warm vocals and a light, refined touch on the strings. He speaks to us as screen actors speak over a movie soundtrack. There are political concerns here, alongside rags, ballads of love lost and found, masterful guitar pieces and big, uptown combo pieces.
Of the many Mojo Collins recordings released over the years, “World Full of Strange” impresses as the most individual and mature. Its freedom from any compulsion to make a statement for a single cause or musical statement allows us to go where Mojo Collins has taken himself, down a road along which we have met him many times, either by seeing his performances or sharing his influences. A great dividend and fascination here is hearing where music itself, the blues and live performance have led a dedicated, gifted professional.
People who seek live music and good, regional performers set themselves up for disappointment, gambling that the acts they go out of their way to meet will be good acts. Those who know Mojo Collins know that he has never been a gamble or a disappointment. Thank you, Mojo Collins, for being a builder of music appreciation we have always been able to rely on and trust, and thank you for “World Full of Strange.”
MojoCollins.com
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below)
to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
More CDs:
"This review is copyright © by Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies of your CD to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles with any questions.
|
Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com
Copyright © 1995 - by Ray M. Stiles & Blues On Stage All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.
|
|