Customer Reviews

Late Last Night

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I also have a huge collection of music, and this one is magical. Don't listen to the critics, Mooney tapped a vein here!

I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer who says this is a lesser effort! This is one of his more complete records. I realize music is subjective; however, the "New Orleans, R-n-B, Funk, Syncopation, Delta, swampy blues thing" that makes Mooney a greatly under-appreciated master is on full display here! I love some his stripped down efforts, too. The guy is so talented. This record is one of my favorite CDs in a 1000 CD collection! I used to live in New Orleans, and saw him several times with a band and playing by himself! If you can ever see him live, you'll likely be a life-long fan!

In my opinion, John Mooney's the real deal - not only a stunning slide guitarist, impassioned singer and fine songwriter, he seems to have a unique artistic sensibility - a commodity I find all-too-rare in modern blues.

This is very much a transitional album for John Mooney, moving on from his acoustic albums initially released on Blind Pig ("Comin' your Way" and "Telephone King", both masterful acoustic-orientated albums, as well as "Sideways in Paradise", recorded with Jimmy Thackery) into a Meters-inspired electric group, more in-tune with his then-adopted hometown of New Orleans.

In retrospect, it's a slightly disappointing effort from such a talented musician, party due to a cover-laiden set, partly poor production and partly due to some occasionally uninspired playing compared to his other recordings. But hey, if he was just about anybody else, this album would be better'n good.

So, buy this album after you've got all the others - his live electric "Travellin' On" is blistering, and "Against the Wall" is possibly his best and most consistent electric set.

And as a final word, I disagree totally with Frank John Hadley's review - that in the same book he rates (the albeit hugely-talented slide guitarist) Roy Rodgers as being a more creditable artist than Mooney defies belief.

If you've ever heard John Mooney play at Madigan's - or any like place - in New Orleans in the early nineties, this cd will bring back wonderful memories. All the songs you remember can be found here. The only problem I find with this album is that it sounds far too "clean". His latest cd is much better in that respect. You got to hear his foot tapping on the floor - otherwise it's just not right.