Blues Is My Wailin Wall

Mighty Mo Rodgers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 5, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve
• ASIN: B00001X55T
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,343 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air, December 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blues Is My Wailin Wall (Audio CD)

This album packs a wicked punch over the initial three tracks, particularly "Heaven's Got the Blues", where Rodgers vocals are nail tough and soulful. After that, the intensity moderates somewhat; the rest of the album unfolds somewhat more traditionally and smolders while occasionally catching fire. "Willie B and Me" is an outstanding ode to old friendship, "Tuskegee Blues" is a scathing indictment of policy and hypocricy. The lyrics are always defiant, inventive and clever without being annoying or cloying, the musicianship is top-notch, the guitar tone is fantastic, and the production is superb, oddly reminding me of the sound of my favorite Los Lobos albums. If you think the blues is a tired idiom or are weary of cliche, this album will definitely reshape your views.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MO, MO, MO!, October 17, 2000

By 

Kevin Yeager (Mountain view,, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blues Is My Wailin Wall (Audio CD)

I really enjoy blues, but my favorite style of blues is the hard and fast guitar driven, rockin' blues (Popa Chubby, Jimmy Thackery, Too SLim and the Taildragger,...). Occasionally I find a new artist that shifts my perspective on what makes a really good blues album. This was one of those albums. It is full of powerful mood shifting music that grabs a hold of your emotional center and carries you with it.

Nothing is over the top, rhythms are tight and controlled, the guitar and bass are energetic and sharp, but don't overwhelm other aspects of the music. Mo's vocals are gritty and full of genuine emotion, never forced or strained beyond his abilities. The writing is sharp and interesting; I found myself on several occasions humming or singing several of these to myself; my favorites are the title track, and the "Kennedy Song".

I have just one problem; I still can't make out the last word(s) in the chorus on "The Kennedy Song"; ,"... he was a victim of the ultimate ... tried fact?,... true fact?,... anyhow, this is a minor knitpik on a truely exceptional album.

I can't believe someone with talent like this has never recorded solo before. I hope he found it satisfying, because I look forward to hearing something else from him. ky

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KUDOS TO RODGERS!, May 19, 2000

By 

deepbluereview "deepbluereview" (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blues Is My Wailin Wall (Audio CD)

THE LINER NOTES INDICATE THAT MIGHTY MO RODGERS DECIDED TO START PLAYING MUSIC AGAIN "BECAUSE HE DID NOT LIKE WHAT HE WAS HEARING" AND "HAD SOME THINGS HE WANTED TO SAY". THANK GOD FOR RODGERS! AS GREAT AS ROBERT JOHNSON WAS, HOW MANY REMAKES OF HIS SONGS OR TRIBUTES BY COPYCAT ARTISTS ARE ENOUGH? THE BURDON OF A BLUES MUSICIAN IS TO TAKE WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE AND CARRY IT ONE STEP FURTHER. RODGERS DOES JUST THAT. WITH THIS CD, HE GIVES US 11 NEW HEARTFELT SONGS THAT WILL HAVE YOU SINGING AND TAPPING YOUR FEET INSTANTLY. EACH SONG IS ORIGINAL, INTERESTING AND REFRESHING. BUY YOURSELF A ROBERT JOHNSON CD SUCH AS "KING OF THE DELTA BLUES" SEE WHAT THE BLUES WAS AND THEN GET RODGERS CD TO SEE WHERE THE BLUES CAN GO. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.