MUNGO JERRY - 'COOL JESUS' Courtesy of designer BRUCE BRAND and of course RAY DORSET, I can for the first time, let you see the sleeve for the forthcoming MUNGO JERRY album, 'COOL JESUS'. The album was recorded in 2006 with THE GOODTIME GAMBLERS musicians - WINNIE MARTIN (Bass), TORSTEN LUEDERWALDT (Keyboards, banjo), MARTIN TROIKE (Drums, washboard) - at the Graswege Studio, Hanover, and engineered by KLAUS PETER'DOC' REINICKE. For me, BRUCE BRAND has done a brilliant job with the sleeve design once again with more than a nod to the 1972 album 'BOOT POWER'. Ray is hopeful of a late October, mid-November release. Tracks are; COOL JESUS/JOHN HENRY/FAR AWAY/LET'S ROCK/GIVE US A SONG/HELLO BABY/JUST HER WAY/GOING UP THE RIVER/YOU CAN GET IT IF YOU WANT IT/I LIE AWAKE (A Song To Jesus)/RED LEATHER & CHROME/LUCKY GIRL/I WANNA LIVE IN THE SUN/WE ARE THE SAME/PRAYING SO HARD/HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS/MAMA DON'T ALLOW/GIVE US A SONG (Refrain)

CLICK YOU TUBE & TYPE MUNGO JERRY IN THE SEARCH BOX, SOME GREAT HOME MADE & OFFICIAL VIDEOS INCLUDING 'HELLO IT'S YOU AGAIN', RAY'S CHRISTMAS NUMBERS AND AN ADVERT FOR 'COOL JESUS'. Here is the latest news update, direct from RAY DORSET who kindly worked on the answers to my questions on a late night train journey from Berlin. Cheers Ray! WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THE ‘COOL JESUS’ ALBUM? The album is complete and I’m looking forward to its release. It is a very long album, about 70mins, and it has quite a lot of early MUNGO JERRY style stuff on it. All of the songs were recorded live in the studio, including all but one or two of the lead vocals. Maybe you should take a look at ALAN CLAYSON’s liner notes? AND WHAT ABOUT THE ‘EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES’? This album has long been on the back burner. I have a lot of good material for it and I’m hoping to begin the recording later in the year with the UK band. I have already performed some the songs live to check them out, also jammed a few at sound checks. I will also record new versions of some of the songs that I did in the mid to late seventies. DOES THE (UK) BAND HAVE A NEW KEYBOARD PLAYER FOLLOWING THE SAD DEATH OF CHRIS GARRETT? Obviously it was a great shock to hear of Chris's death and so sad for his family, he was such a talented and clever guy. Toby is now back in the band, and congratulations to him on his recent marriage, although Torsten has been doing the recent “out of the UK” gigs with us. My ambition is to have two keyboard players in the band and a combination of the 'COOL JESUS' line-up together with the 'NAKED FROM THE HEART' line-up. Whether it will work or not, I won't know until I try it out. The thing is, that I have to face up to the fact that I am a solo performer, the band has to go along and follow what I do, I set up the groove and control the dynamics, if the guys in the band, whoever they are, follow me, it works for sure, always, I seem to have the knack to do it. I have tried it other ways over the years and let the band lead me or dictate the material and how it is played, but my way works best. I have recently done gigs outside the UK with three totally different line-ups and the audience reaction has been terrific, no set list and no rehearsals adds up to no bullshit, just the vibe and the groove. I know that my technical and musical capabilities as a guitarist are limited but I'm a good accompanist, and I'm very versatile. ARE YOU ANY NEARER TO RESOLVING THE ‘ELIOT COHEN SITUATION’? This has been going on since the end of 2005 and it is a pain, but one way or another, it will get sorted. I'm using the problem to my advantage, when a negative situation arises, I try to turn it around so that it becomes wholly positive, and that is what is happening at the moment. It is not just about the money or material things, it is about relationships and spirituality. YOU TALKED ON THE PHONE ABOUT A SERIES OF POSSIBLE GIGS TO BE HELD IN UK THEATRES LATER IN THE YEAR, WHAT IS THE THINKING BEHIND THIS? Yes, I'm running out of time to get this organised for this year so I'll probably wait until next year. I plan to try out some two hour concerts in small theatres, maybe three for starters, to see if it works music-wise, I'm not expecting thousands of people to turn up but I’m hoping that it would make a nice evening out. The idea is to have no support, play for about two hours plus a twenty minute break, and cover some of the songs that I have written since the GOOD EARTH days including one or two songs from WIZBIT and the PROSPECTS theme. I would have the same group of musicians as I wrote about above, Play all of the hits and some of the album stuff both old and new, maybe there is too much material and I have to limit some of the hits. DEREK HAS SPOKEN OF ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND TO BE HELD IN 2010, WHAT DO YOU THINK? Yes, a good idea, forty years, unbelievable! IS THERE ANYTHING TO TELL US REGARDING A DORSET/KING/EARL/COLE REUNION? Nothing on the cards. The gig that I did with Mike and Bruce in Agen was terrific. I still have heard nothing from Colin, I have not spoken to Paul since before the summer holiday but I’m looking forward to meeting up with him if he has time, we have buried the hatchet! WE SPOKE RECENTLY ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING SOME NEW T-SHIRTS PRINTED, MAYBE COVERING THE RELEASE OF ‘COOL JESUS’? A good idea and Bruce has come up with a great sketch for the album cover. THE ESBJERG FESTIVAL GIG FROM EARLIER IN THE YEAR WAS FILMED, IS THE FOOTAGE GOOD ENOUGH TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO FANS? I have not seen it all as yet so I really cannot comment. JOHN HORNHAVER worked hard on the day and I'm sure that the shots were good, depends on the sound too though. I have still got all of the footage from the TV21 show that I did with the MUNGO JERRY BLUESBAND, and the stuff that I did with them in a club in Herford in Germany, this was shot on five cameras. YOU HAD SOME INVOLVEMENT WITH PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB’S F.A CUP FINAL RECORD, HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT? PHILIP SWANN, who used to work with me a few years ago, we worked on the Newcastle United F.C track together, called me up to see if I was interested in helping him get it on the market, he wrote and produced the song. I thought that the song was good, not only as a football song, we did a deal and now we are back working together on all sorts of music stuff. More news on this some other time. AND YOU HAVE BECOME A PATRON OF ASHFORD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB, WHAT DOES THAT ENTAIL? I want to write about this separately if that is OK with you. WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON? As always, loads of stuff! The gigs that I did as a guest with CHRISTOPH STEINBACH, the Boogie Woogie Festival in Kitzbul, Austria, and the one that I did with SIGGY SCHWARTZ in Southern Germany were resounding successes and both of the guys have asked me to do more shows with them, I am absolutely honoured to play with such great musicians, Christoph has asked me to do next years Festival too with ERIC BURDON. Siggy has produced the latest MICHAEL SCHENKER album, good connection as Michael is also a Dean guitar endorser like myself. Also, MIKKI FINELL in Sweden, who organises tours, and also his band plays for DAVE EDMUNDS, has invited me over to do some shows with them, minus Dave, in March 2009, should be fun. My old friend BARRY UPTON, check him out on the web, has agreed to be involved with the musical production of the 'IN THE SUMMERTIME' stage show, as has BARRY MURRAY, should be good too. I think that I will sign off now and start writing again in a couple of days with more news after my return from Vienna this coming weekend. To view RAY DORSET's previous news updates - click here 'RAY'S NEWS' NAMM JAM 2009 Ray has once again been invited to play at the NAMM JAM in the U.S.A in the New Year with many other music legends such as; TOMMY ZVONCHECK (BLUE OYSTER CULT) SPENCER DAVIS (SPENCER DAVIS GROUP) JEFF COOK (ALABAMA) ALAN WHITE YES/PLASTIC ONO BAND CHRIS SLADE (ASIA/MANFRED MANN/URIAH HEEP/AC/DC) BOBBY KIMBALL (TOTO) DON WILSON (THE VENTURES) and many, many more! ALAN CLAYSON - TOUR DATES Friend of MUNGO JERRY and legendary rock journalist ALAN CLAYSON has passed on some tour dates for us and you can catch his amazing live show at the following venues 20th November - THE THUNDERBOLT, BRISTOL 23rd November - THE VIC, SWINDON 25th November - LATEST MUSIC BAR, BRIGHTON 10th January - THE SQUARE AND COMPASS, ILMINSTER 14th January - THE CROOKED BILLET, HENLEY ON-THAMES "I can honestly say I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT IN MY LIFE!!!" - Wokingham Times. "Alan Clayson's songs are utterly delightful in their originality" - The Independent "Definitely more than a performance - an experience" - Village Voice. CLICK HERE FOR INFO ALAN CLAYSON.COM MUNGOMANIA has just received word of a brand new album from MUNGO JERRY's keyboard player, TOBY HOUNSHAM and his own band, SATURDAY MORNING PICTURES. 'IT'S COOL TO HATE THE SINGER' is full of extremely classy sounds (click on the promo link below to hear some of the tracks) and is available on the Snapper label, or by digital download. (Release date; UK CD 6/10/08) Tracks are; THANK JESUS FOR THE WEEKEND/IT'S COOL TO HATE THE SINGER/OLD COMEDIES/GIRL SITTING IN MY SEAT/IF I GOT MORE THAN YOU/I'LL DO IT AGAIN/TRYING TO KEEP UP/I DON'T THINK SO/PERRY SEASON/GO FIGURE/SHIP TO LINCOLN CLICK HERE FOR INFO 'SATURDAY MORNING PICTURES' Please note a change of e-mail address for PAUL KING's official website, which is: news@paulking.info Check out the photographs from the Lillehamer gig in May 'LILLEHAMER' As part of a few changes within MUNGOMANIA (change of computer), I now have a new e-mail address which is: mungomania@yahoo.com MUNGO JERRY - 'NAKED FROM THE HEART' Check out the feature and reviews on MUNGO JERRY's new album 'NAKED FROM THE HEART' MUNGO JERRY BLUESBAND- 'ADULTS ONLY' You can still check out the reviews on the 'ADULTS ONLY' album 'ADULTS ONLY' CLICK HERE BOSTON 1970 PHOTOGRAPHS & VIEW ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE 1970 U.S.A.TOUR Original MUNGO JERRY bass player, MIKE COLE, (who has recently revised his interview on the INTERVIEWS page) now has a brand new website and although it is still being developed, it is already looking great and naturally has references to MUNGO JERRY. The site can be found by clicking on the image to the right. WHAT'S THIS MEAN? MUNGO JERRY! (In Japanese) Mungo fan AUSTIN MURRAY has added MUNGO JERRY to the myspace.com website and would like some help with pictures, comments, etc. "Anything you would like to send me for the site would be great! I would love to add some new stuff to it, I check it every day and we're averaging about ten new friends a day!" To e-mail Austin, just CLICK HERE. Click here to visit the Website NEW ON-LINE SHOP WENT LIVE - 12 NOON, (20/09/06) The official MUNGO JERRY site and shop is located at www.mungojerry.com Don't forget to check out the on-line MUNGO JERRY shop located within the official MUNGO JERRY site. It has replaced the 'old' fan club shop that served the purpose so well for when we first set up 'mungomania' but has now made way for the faster, cleaner and BRAND NEW VERSION! There are several new items either in the new look shop, or 'COMING SOON' and to say that there are several mp3's available for download would be a massive understatement with many albums, including the latest recordings, 'NAKED FROM THE HEART' and 'COOL JESUS'. MUNGO ON THE ROAD...2008 7th December MUNGO JERRY Butlins, Bognor Regis 13th December MUNGO JERRY Golden Year Show, Antwerp, Belgium MUNGO ON THE ROAD...2009 10th January RAY DORSET Personal appearance at opening of Salvatore's hairdressing salon, BIELEFELD, GERMANY 12th January RAY DORSET Travelling to Los Angeles for Namm Jam 18th - 24th January MUNGO JERRY Midem, Cannes 7th - 9th February MUNGO JERRY Orf T.V, Austria 2nd March MUNGO JERRY Holmarn Folketspark, Skutskar, Sweden 3rd March MUNGO JERRY Soraker, Folketshus, Sweden 4th March MUNGO JERRY Soderhamn, Teatern, Sweden 5th March MUNGO JERRY Grangesberg, Cassels, Sweden 6th March MUNGO JERRY T.B.A 7th March MUNGO JERRY Ulricehamm, Sporthoteller, Sweden 8th March MUNGO JERRY Stockholm, Akkurat, Sweden 9th March MUNGO JERRY Vara, Konserthuset, Sweden 12th March MUNGO JERRY Austria 13th March MUNGO JERRY Vauxhall Caravan Park, Norfolk 14th March MUNGO JERRY (Cool Jesus line-up) Hanover, Germany 18th April MUNGO JERRY White Horse Club, Sussex 2nd May MUNGO JERRY Yeovil, Somerset 23rd May MUNGO JERRY Acoustic Festival Of Britain 30th May RAY DORSET Rheindahlen, Monchengladbach, Germany 19th June MUNGO JERRY Extra Classic Rock stars Show, Dusseldorf, Germany 20th June MUNGO JERRY Bochum, Germany July 24th RAY DORSET (Guesting with CHRISTOPH STEINBACH BAND) Kitzbuel, Austria 8th August MUNGO JERRY Denmark 23rd August MUNGO JERRY Belgium 28th August MUNGO JERRY ('Cool Jesus' line-up) Barsinghausen Stadfest, near Hanover, Germany DATES FROM RAY'S 2008 DIARY (Dates Ray feels you may not have known about but carried out during 2008) 2nd January Recording with 'Cool Jesus' line-up Grasvege Studios, Hanover 4th January Recording with 'Cool Jesus' line-up Grasvege Studios, Hanover 26th - 31st January MUNGO JERRY Midem, Cannes 3rd February RAY DORSET Sonthofen, Germany 22nd - 23rd February RAY DORSET (guest appearance) Stuttgart, Germany 27th February Finishing 'Cool Jesus' album Grasvege Studios, Hanover 12th - 14th March RAY DORSET Visit the Frankfurt Music Fair, meet and greet with Dean Guitars, Goove Tube amps and mics. Blue Guitar Distribution, Amber pick ups and Orange amps. Burns Guitars and Indie Guitars etc. 26th March RAY DORSET Record the Mungo part of the Ultimate Chart show in Cologne, Germany, with Sasha, (double bass), Winnie, (guitar), Martin, (washboard / percussion), and Torsten (keyboard). 29th March MUNGO JERRY The Maltings, Farnham 17th April RAY DORSET TV Interview in Karlsruhe, Germany 25th April MUNGO JERRY Skegness 9th May MUNGO JERRY Lillehamer Festival, Norway 10th May MUNGO JERRY Festival, Denmark 17th May MUNGO JERRY Esbjerg Festival, Denmark 6th June MUNGO JERRY Germany 19th June RAY DORSET TV Interview, Family TV, Karlsruhe, Germany 12th July MUNGO JERRY Boogie Woogie Festival. Kitzbuhel, Austria 13th August MUNGO JERRY Agen, France 16th August MUNGO JERRY Heidenheim, Germany, with Siggy Scharwtz 24th August MUNGO JERRY Romford, Essex 30th August MUNGO JERRY Modling, Nr Vienna, Austria 5th September MUNGO JERRY Spandau/Berlin, Germany 6th September MUNGO JERRY 19 TV Show, Rome, Italy 23rd September MUNGO JERRY Bielefeld, Germany, School Show 14th October MUNGO JERRY Cannes, France, for Radio Bremen/Hamburg TV 17th October MUNGO JERRY Minehead, Somerset 18th October MUNGO JERRY 19 Big M Band shows, Nr;Stuttgart, Germany 24th October MUNGO JERRY Stockholm, Sweden 28th October MUNGO JERRY Rehearse with the MUNGO JERRY Swiss Connection for pro shows 29th October MUNGO JERRY Gams, Switzerland 30th October MUNGO JERRY Nueziders, Austria 31st October MUNGO JERRY Glarus, Switzerland 1st November MUNGO JERRY Naters (Wallis), Switzerland 2nd November MUNGO JERRY Merlischachen (Sheep Farm), Switzerland 3rd December MUNGO JERRY Hamburg, Germany for Radio Bremen/Hamburg TV 4th December MUNGO JERRY Pongau/St Johann, Austria 13th December MUNGO JERRY Antwerp, Belgium