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RAY DORSET * BRUCE BRAND *
MIKE COLE
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I
put it to Ray that the 'NAKED FROM THE HEART' album is another ‘earthy,
no-bullshit’ recording, and wondered how it came about and what was the
thinking behind it? "I really wanted to do some recording with Mike,
one, for old times sake, we had some terrific gigs together both before and
after 'IN THE SUMMERTIME', some of the most memorable that I have played. It
was also, in retrospect, very unfair how he was axed from the band, so we
both thought that it would be a therapeutic experience for both of us to
again create some music together. Mike is an accomplished musician, and I
knew that he would do a good job when put into the situation of recording
without previously knowing or rehearsing the songs, same with Bruce, even
though we had not played together before, we are like minded in our attitude
to the music, plus, Bruce plays drums to the song, creating a sympathetic
groove and a vibe, he of course, also plays guitar, bass, keyboards,
percussion, sings and writes! That’s on top of his artistic skills". For
Mike of course, it was his first involvement with Ray, recording-wise anyway,
since his departure from the original band at the end of the first tour of
the U.S.A way back in 1970. Some of you will remember that Mike guested at the 2005 get-together up in the I
couldn't put it better myself, a brilliant weekend, and one when once again,
we saw many, many MUNGO fans making the pilgrimage to the 'Potteries' to
celebrate the 35th year of the band, and of course the Hollywood Music
Festival. In
an ideal world, there should be a single taken from the album, and as far as
I am concerned, ‘I’M A LIAR’ is a must – it’s brilliant!!! It surely would
have a chance of airplay with say, Radio 2? Mike said, "I think 'I'M A
LIAR' (the politician's song ?) Could be special. I
also like the way 'HIPPTY CAT MAMA' moves along. On the whole I'm pleased
with the way this album turned out and I hope everyone else involved feels
the same". Ray added, "There has been no decision on a single as
yet but I was talking to Thomas the owner of Spectre
about making something, 'FUNKIN'MUSIC' because of the novelty value, could
attract attention because of the misinterpretation". For
drummer BRUCE BRAND, who had been a Mungo fan for
many a year, it must have been just a ‘little bit’ of a thrill for him to
record with Ray I guess? "Why certainly! When I first heard 'IN THE
SUMMERTIME' as a lad at a wedding in 1970, I was sold then and there. I was
an avid Mungo collector and became addicted to
their rootsy sound. I also liked the fact that they
didn't (originally) have a drummer! (I didn't actually know what drums were
for back then.)" "I'd
heard that Ray was still playing as MUNGO JERRY, and first got to see him by
accident about 10 years ago on the Isle of Wight, where I was playing with a
band called THE CLIQUE", and added. "We heard that THE PRETTY
THINGS were playing in the afternoon, and went along for that. Imagine my
surprise when Ray and his gang hit the stage. (I seem to remember getting a
little over excited, much to the consternation of my chums...) I then caught
wind - excuse me - that Ray was playing a solo gig at London's 12-Bar Club,
about 4 years ago, so went along armed with a copy of the 'DUTONC' (French covers
group I'm in) album, which includes a version of 'ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT' to
present to Ray. Having cornered him, I also offered my services as 'Arthole', in case he needed any artwork doing. Within a
week he'd got in touch regarding some work in that department, as well as an
in-depth discussion about our musical backgrounds and the possibility of
playing together arose. It took a while to come to fruition, but it was worth
the wait! Obviously, it was a real bonus working with Mike as well". So,
MIKE COLE records with MUNGO JERRY for the first time since the U.S.A tour of
1970 and we also see BRUCE BRAND on drums and percussion in what is really, a
'new' MUNGO line-up? Ray explained, "Bruce suggested recording at Toe
Rag, THE WHITE STRIPES recorded their No 1 album there; the one that Bruce
did the artwork for, it is an eight track analogue, just like the one where
we recorded the first MUNGO JERRY album, though nowhere near as large or
posh, and uses all retro equipment. Ed (TURNER) was a good engineer to work
with, we did not worry about overspill or using headphones to monitor when
overdubbing. All part of maintaining the feel I believe". We worked in
the same way at Gizzard, which is 16 track, another
Ed (DEEGAN) on engineering, he is also the studio owner". There
are of course, not many bands where their drummers play keyboards as well?
"No, and neither does this one. Actually I
played guitar before I started rattling the old traps. My key-hammering
efforts are pretty basic and are founded on a few piano lessons I had when I
was about 10 years old. I wouldn't call myself 'accomplished' by any stretch
of the imagination, but if it's simple enough (and usually with more luck
than judgment) I can sometimes get away with it. Let's put it this way: I'm no
COLIN 'ELBOWS AKIMBO' EARL". . And are responsible for the sleeve
design? "Well, I figured why waste four years at art college? I started
doing record covers back in 1979 when a punk group I was in, called THR POP
RIVETS released an album off our own backs. It was complete 'do-it-yourself'
set-up, and since then, I've been lucky enough to have been on quite a few
more, and knocked up most of the sleeves for those too. I also worked for a
printer for 13 years, so learned about the technical side, as well. Of
course, since the advent of computers, there are far less thumb prints and
coffee rings on most of my work". He
went on to say, "When THE WHITE STRIPES first toured the I
really get off on tracks like ‘PLAY THAT FUNKIN' MUSIC’, ‘HIPPTY CAT MAMA’,
‘LET'S GO’, ‘COME ON BABY’ and ‘I WALKED EVERYWHERE’, the steamy, bluesy,
rocking numbers that MUNGO JERRY have always performed well, you have a great
sound there? "They were fun to do", explained Mike, "and
reminded me a bit of the Northcote Arms days. Just
like the old days, it was all very spontaneous with minimal rehearsal. I
could have used electric bass on some of those tracks and maybe we'll do that
next time, but acoustic bass is perfect for rockabilly sound and feel and
also for more lyrical numbers. I love playing double bass and use it most of
the time because of my involvement with jazz, but I do enjoy playing electric
now and again. I have always tended towards acoustic instruments, which I
feel are more in tune with human sensitivity. The (mainly) acoustic
instrumentation of the original MUNGO JERRY line-up was, I believe, one of
its main attractions. Not only did this give it a different sound but also a
very distinctive image and stage appearance from most rock/pop groups of the
time". "Electronic
gear is great of course, but in different ways and especially in conjunction with
digital technology which I use myself quite a lot these days (for writing,
arranging and practicing) and in my opinion it's an important option and
should form part of a musician's armoury - but not
all of it. I do feel that mechanical material has become too dominant in
popular music and it's sad that so many young people are conditioned to
hearing (and liking) only quantized sounds and do not experience the human
quality and beauty of great music. As it happens, Ray opted for analogue
rather than digital recording on some tracks which leads me to believe that
maybe he thinks along similar lines". Bruce
said, "Aye. It's helped by being recorded live on good old fashioned
tape recorders through valve-powered (in places) equipment. Digital may give
a more 'accurate' representation of the sound, but it tends to sound
unnaturally clean and takes work to make it actually sound 'good' and
'exciting'. The chaps at Toe-Rag and Gizzard studios instinctively know how
to capture the best from a live performance. Obviously there are overdubs,
but the basic rhythm section, including most vocals and occasionally harp were all done at the same time". Do
you have any personal favorite tracks? "Hmmm... Obviously I like all of
'em", said Bruce diplomatically, "but
'MOTORBIKING', 'FUNKIN' MUSIC' 'LIAR', 'WALKED EVERYWHERE', 'MAKE ME HAPPY'
and 'GO TO SLEEP' spring to mind". I
asked Ray, what pleased him most about the finished recording and if we could
expect to see this line-up playing more gigs together? "To me, the whole
vibe was captured, and the album seems to have the organic feel like most of
the stuff that turned me on to music in the first place when I was a kid. We
had a blast at Mr. Kyps, it would be good to do
more if the guys fancy it, I know that they have commitments
with other bands. I would like to make another album with the same line up
too". At
the time of this interview, the album had already been released in "It
is all kind of low key, no hype, no bullshit"! Thanks,
Ray, Mike and Bruce. |
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I
was half expecting a CHRIS SPEDDING song, but instead got a grunge version of
BABY JUMP. This is the sort of number I signed up to MUNGO JERRY for all
those years ago. Air-guitar heaven!
Definitely
shades of BABY JUMP here, a real ass-kicker, as our American friends would
say, with wailing harp throughout. Good start! |
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From
JOHNNY CASH's Sun years, rock'n
country combined. Love the backbeat and the sing-a-long vocals. Jaunty,
feel-good number that jugs along in the style of the MUNGO of old - with a
happy ending! |
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Sounds
so simple and yet every new listen brings something else to the fore. A
chorus that has to be joined in with. Like
most of the tracks on the album, this re-recording of the CANDY DREAMS track
comes over very live sounding.
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The
sort of song you would expect from Ray on stage when he is in one of those,
'get me off here if you dare' sort of moods. Typical,
earthy, steamy MUNGO JERRY blues-rock. Would go down great live! |
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THE
DOORS revisited, once again some immense guitar and I just love the bass
sound. Maybe THE DOORS sound would have been complete with this sort of bass
rather than from the keyboard.
An
old DONOVAN number I think, that has often been part of the stage show.
Reminds me of the Processed Pea gigs. |
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The
best track on the CD, you actually feel as if you are in the studio with the
lads. Full of rhythm and life, 1970 revisited. Bruce on drums just follows
the beat. An
almost ghostly recording, in as much as it could be the early 70's line-up
here, a real throw back to an earlier time. Even that old time MUNGO piano is
there somewhere. Spooky!
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From
one extreme to another, but that seems to be strength of this set of songs,
all are different and yet all gel. SPRINGSTEEN to me is the best exponent of
bringing together musical styles in this form. And yet, I don't think I have
heard anything so diverse from him in one set. A
kind-of MUNGO JERRY sing-a-long lullaby played in a loose country style. Nice
one! |
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Rockabilly
'b-sides' revisited as BARRY MURRAY said, "his master is in a league of
his own when he bops". Authentic rock'n roll at its best.
Agree
with Derek totally, if you loved 'THAT'S MY BABY' and 'GIVE ME BOP', you will
love this one. If ELVIS was the King Of Rock'n
Roll, RAY DORSET must be the King Of Rockabilly. Play it loud! Amazing stuff! |
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50's
style backing vocal and early rock'n roll guitar
make this one of the best tracks on offer. Another
number that Ray has played occasionally at live shows and one that I often
pester him to do so. I've always loved this number! |
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The
more mature style of song that raises its head now and again,
and it compliments this CD in the fact that it moves and flows effortlessly
from one genre to another.
This
one reminds me of some of the songs from Ray's 1972 solo album, COLD BLUE
EXCURSION, it's in that style.
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On
first listen, I thought that there were too many effects on the vocal, but on
numerous listens, it is probably about right. String bass and light
percussion adds to the songs flavour. Reminds me
very much of 'LANA' and for this reason, I agree very much with Alan in that it
could make a good lead song on a promo release. Quite
simply for me, the best track on the album and an absolute must for a single
if there is to be one. Cool flamenco sound, shuffling rhythm and, agreeing
with Derek (again), a taste of 'LANA'. |
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MIKE
COLE needs complimenting for complimenting the songs, if you get my meaning.
The longest number in the set and yet it ends all too soon. Mature
sound, but I have to be honest and say that I have a job with this one. Not
that there is anything wrong with it, far from it, it's just that it is very
hard to describe the song, you will just have to make your own minds up? |
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Again,
I thought the vocal effects at the beginning had been a tad overdone. But
once you are into the guitar and main vocals, that is now quickly forgotten,
some great drum rolls from Bruce and the harp is so sharp. Not
the b-side of 70's single, 'CAN'T GET OVER LOVING YOU', but a new number
which is once again one of those raunchy classic MUNGO 'blues/rock' cuts that
Ray does so well. Great driving music I've found. |
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I
got the shock of my life when I read the titles list on arrival; I thought
this song said, 'YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE'! (To explain, Derek is an Everton
fan and YNWA is the anthem of his arch-rivals, and as a Another
one that could have come from the 'COLD BLUE EXCURSION' sessions. |
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'I
WALKED EVERYWHERE' and 'loved in the alleys and fought in the streets'. On
first listen, you will get my meaning. Recaptures the late 70's live sound. Too
short I thought at two minutes exactly but Ray explained that the feeling was
that "less is more", it works! I love this track, great guitar
break in the middle. |
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Successful
in I
haven't heard the original version (believe it or not) only a snippet on
Rob's website, so I had convinced myself that I didn't like it, silly really.
I love it! I really do, it's happy sounding,
humorous, feel good and a great contrast compared to the rest of the album. |
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DEREK
WADESON - AUGUST 2006. Derek
is dead right! NAKED FROM THE HEART is a MUNGO classic, capturing for me all
the things I love about MUNGO JERRY. The raw, earthy sound that I latched on
to in 1970 is alive and well and still sounding fresh in 2006. Amazing songs, expertly played in a variety of styles by a very
talented line-up, our old friend MIKE COLE on double bass and our new friend
BRUCE BRAND on drums and percussion. Congratulations and thanks to all
parties - another MUNGO gem!!! ALAN
TAYLOR - AUGUST 2006. |