In the interval at a MUNGO JERRY/GOODTIME GAMBLERS gig at Barsinghausen in August 2006, JUERGEN KEUNEKE managed to speak to bass player WINNIE MARTIN, about the GOODTIME GAMBLERS and of course, the album recorded with RAY DORSET - 'COOL JESUS'.

DO YOU AND THE BAND PLAY AS THE GOODTIME GAMBLERS WITHOUT RAY?

The GOODTIME GAMBLERS don't really exist. It is only a name to tell people the difference bewtween Ray's Bluesband and his British band. If our CD, 'COOL JESUS' sees the light of day in the record shops, it will be an LP under the MUNGO JERRY name. We don't like to confuse the fans but, TORSTEN LUEDERWALDT will, like me, be mentioned on the CD as co-producer.

HOW DID YOU GET TOGETHER WITH RAY FOR THE GOODTIME GAMBLERS PROJECT?

The publisher of my hit, 'ICH FAHR'MIT DER LAMBRETTA' phoned me 5 years ago and told me that RAY DORSET was looking for a German line-up for a jug and blues band able to perform the early MUNGO sound from the seventies. In this case, I was the right man for the job because I am an old MUNGO fan, and my own music isn't far away from the early style of Ray's music. I phoned TORSTEN LUEDERWALDT, my colleague from many music projects in the past, and a professional like me since 1984. He was also the keyboard player with German heavy-metal band FAIR WARNING, who are big in Japan. He was ready to play with Ray! I also contacted MARTIN TROIKE who I saw one day playing with the BOURBON SKIFFLE COMPANY, who he has been performing with for many years. By the way, I have been a guest musician with them also from time to time. After Martin showed interest, we had a meeting with Ray in the office of my publisher and we had a good feeling together and wanted to work as a team. Our first gig was at the Hanover Marathon in 2001, followed by some others in the same region.

THE FOLLOWERS OF THE MUNGOMANIA SITE WOULD BE INTERESTED TO HEAR ABOUT 'COOL JESUS'?

Before the recording of 'COOL JESUS', I had to erholen myself from a heavy accident. That is the reason that we only started to record the CD in 2006. We recorded this LP in only three days, with three days for the mixing - very quick for such a session. TORSTEN for example surprised Ray during the recording of the songs because he included a banjo and showed that he was a good player of this instrument. The finished CD should be released in the first quarter of 2007 and I will start booking gigs to support the release, I think we have a lot of concerts!

WHAT ABOUT A NEW CD FROM THE HIGH LIFE MUSIC GROUP (Winnies own band that he has with Torsten)?

Oh, we have a new CD and it is on the market now. It's a new start for the band and it is looking good, we will also have a new single out. No, my life isn't boring!

Thanks to Juergen Keuneke and of course Winnie Martin - 2007.