All I Want

John Mooney | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 16, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blind Pig
• ASIN: B000065CX2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,034 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

John Mooney's distinctive fusion of Delta blues and New Orleans street funk is a high-wire act--a step too far in either direction and the blend plummets into cliché. But his poise is note-perfect on this album. And when Mooney revisits his solo slide-guitar blues foundation, which he does often here, things get even better. The hard-cutting tribute to his mentor, Son House (an update of "Death Letter" titled "Son's Blues"), and the keening paean "Baby Please"--on which quicksilver licks form a slicing melody around the audibly stomping beat of his boots and his high, grizzled singing--are sterling examples of his expertise with tradition-fueled material. Mooney also displays his command of acoustic resonator guitar, House's instrument of choice, in "Buried Treasure," a poor man's fantasy about hitting it big. As good as Mooney's become on old-time Delta material, it's his rollicking, electric hybrid music that's won most of his fans. They'll be as happy as the purists with this record, thanks to numbers like "She Ain't No Good," which shakes along on an Afro-Caribbean beat plucked right out of the French Quarter and gets peppered with guitar distortion, and "Feel Like Hollerin'," a slide-and-strum workout that rides a Crescent City street-parade rhythm and inspires Mooney to take the song title seriously. "Hey Little Girl" and "All I Want" plow similarly deep grooves, although the latter track rocks like something out of a Mississippi hill-country shack. With 10 albums and 20 years of performing to his credit, Mooney sounds like he's at his peak. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues for the soul!, July 17, 2002

By 

Bergman Jonas (Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: All I Want (Audio CD)

John is back with a vengeance with this his 10th album and it smokes. From the countrified blues of You gotta move to the full band on She aint no good, this is great blues from the bayou. John's New Orleans roots gives the performances that specific rhythm that is so enticing, you can't help but getting totally engrossed in the groove. John's guitar playing is simply amazing and his vocals has that gruff quality that comes from many gigs and experience. This recording tangents the greatness heard on the classic "Against the Wall" and should bring in many more new fans. This is traditional blues in contemporary format and is a refreshing listen. John is the real deal and the sparse accompaniment (bass, drums and congas) in addition to his exceptional guitar work and vocals is a treat and just right. Oh, and his newish hairstyle (shaven head and moustache) seems to be key to all blues greats just now - Jr. Watson, Kim Wilson...well, I am getting my own head shaved any day now!

This is blues for the tired soul - just buy!!