MUNGO JERRY - MR.KYPS by GINA COLES
(15th July 2011)
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After too many years in the MUNGO JERRY wilderness, a spontaneous trip to Liechtenstein last week reminded me what I had been missing. So, when I found myself at the Mr Kyps gig six days later I wasn’t really surprised. |
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I knew it would be a different vibe because the line-up was different and I was slightly apprehensive but I needn’t have worried. Yes, it was different, but it was still a great night. Because I wasn’t expecting such an incredible evening – I really can’t explain why, after all, Ray has always surrounded himself with great musicians – I decided not to try and analyse the music so much and just go with the flow and enjoy the music. And, quite honestly, that really is the only frame of mind required to attend a MJ gig. |
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MUNGO JERRY is one of the favourite bands at Mr Kyps and they certainly got the audience behind them straight away.
Coming on stage after an unusually good backing band, Ray belted out many of the old favourites as well as new songs from 'LET'S GO BABY' to, of course, 'IN THE SUMMERTIME'. Once again JON PLAYLE played his heart out on bass and it was good to see JOHNNY COOK on keyboards. The last time I saw him was in the early 1970s. MARK DAVID on drums completed the line-up. |
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One of the great things about going to a MUNGO JERRY gig is the ambience that Ray manages to conjure up. As the band rocked through the numbers the crowd really got into the groove. It was an interesting venue with a larger-than-usual stage, which gave the band a good setting. And, with Jon’s help, Ray had us all clapping and dancing along and I’m sure everyone had as good a time as I did, if their smiles were anything to go by. It’s amazing how quickly the times goes when the band is on stage – I could stand and watch them for twice as long. Once again I was well and truly entertained and I can’t wait for the next time. |
MUNGO JERRY - FUHRMANN HAUS, VIENNA by SILVIIE
(23rd - 24th July 2011)
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My friend Silviie has kindly let us have these great photos taken from two gigs in Vienna, Fuhrmann, on the 23rd and 24th of July. |
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Vienna! Partymood from the first minute! Who can produce this in a few seconds? There is only one...he is an artist, a musical magician, it is the King of The Groove himself, RAY DORSET, alias MUNGO JERRY. Proof of his musical genius? Maybe broadcast & TV will recognise at last what (not only the Viennese) fans know? MUNGO JERRY isn’t only 'IN THE SUMMERTIME','LADY ROSE' and 'MIGHTY MAN'. There are hundreds of outstanding songs worth playing, worth listening too. Once more the MUNGO JERRY BLUES BAND – HEINI ALTBART (dr and promoter of this event), JON PLAYLE (b), HELMUT POSCH (p) – accompanied Ray expertly and Ray’s versatility allows to rock as hard as ever and immediately afterwards, he plays one of his terrific blues numbers. Thanks Ray – take care – 'have fun in the sun' and please come back to Austria soon. |
MUNGO JERRY - FUHRMANN HAUS, VIENNA by GINA COLES
(23rd - 24th July 2011)
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Well, 15 days, three countries and three-and-a half (!) MUNGO JERRY gigs – when I eventually got home I was completely shattered so goodness knows how the band felt!
My final destination for my wonderful trip into MUNGOMANIA was Vienna where they played for two nights at the Fuhrmannhaus Heuriger and, wowee, how they rocked the rafters of this ancient building that kind of resembled a cowshed attached to a wine house all built around a Spanish-style courtyard. It was a really great venue – why don’t we have such places over here? It was a centuries-old, probably medieval, building that had been renovated but had kept the essence of its original character. The atmosphere was throbbing before the band got on stage – and when they did – oh boy – it was incredible.
Having two nights at one venue was great because it allowed Ray to play far more songs than at a single gig. Although there were new faces there, on the second night there were also people who took the opportunity of getting the maximum MUNGO JERRY experience and who turned up for a second shot of the gorgeous RAY DORSET’s magic. The weather was against a really massive turn-out as half of the venue is in the open air and it rained a good deal of the time we were there. But those of us who did squash in like sardines on the benches under cover all danced and clapped and swayed together. Those on my table were soon chatting away like old friends despite the fact that they spoke very little English and my German is limited to hello, goodbye, wonderful and thank you very much!. It was great fun, lovely to be among such friendly, welcoming people who aren’t limited by our English reserve. |
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On the first night the band – back to my favourite line-up of Ray, Jon, Heini and Helmut - was due to play from 6 to 9pm with a break – but, as MJ fans will know, once Ray gets into the groove he stays there until he decides it’s finishing time! No-one can really remember – far too much red wine flowing – but we think he did a three-hour second set – minimum! But, who counts when MJ are playing? It’s only when it all stops you look at your watch and realise that another big chunk of your life has disappeared in the blink of an eye. But, hey, I’m not complaining, I have made many happy memories in these three weekends that will last me until the day I die.
The first gig started with 'ROCK ME MAMA' and I can remember thinking that Ray doesn’t pussyfoot around – he is straight in there at the top – first song was dynamite and that’s how it stayed all night. This song also fed my bass obsession, something Jon has managed to do with style and panache over all three gigs. 'LET'S GET TOGETHER' followed and everyone was up and clapping and then came 'MARGUERITA' and it was goose-bump time. Ray has written some amazing music and this song is way up there among the best. I don’t know where the inspiration for this one came from and it’s not like some of his other songs that I can relate to either, but it really makes me feel good when I hear it and I totally get this particular vibe – whatever it may be!!
The set also included a very upbeat 'LA LA LA' with fantastic bass and drums and great piano from Helmut that just kept popping up then retreating then he was back in again – fabulous. Then 'LADY ROSE' finished the set and everyone sang and danced and clapped and rocked, totally in the MUNGO JERRY groove. |
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During the break Ray introduced me to a couple – Robert and Monica – who have a very special reason for being staunch MJ fans. Robert, very modestly (not!) told me that he knew Monica wanted to marry him and so they went to a MJ gig and he asked Ray to sing something special for Monica and Ray sang and included the words ‘Will you marry HIM?’ as he sang. She obviously said yes and they are still very happy. Ahhh, how romantic was that?
Although it’s difficult to believe, this particular gig was enhanced by the sweetest four-year-old! Yes, Arthur Altbart - son of Heini - played his little heart out on his miniature guitar – a real one, mind you, no plastic for this lad - standing at the front of the stage in between Ray and Jon for most of the night. In his Kiss T-shirt he strummed and strutted and became part of the band. I don’t think many bands would welcome his presence and I can’t see it happening in England, but in the friendly, family atmosphere at the Fuhrmannhaus it seemed normal. |
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The second set was launched with 'KICKING BACK' from the new CD that will hopefully be out soon and, trust me, you will love it. We were also treated to 'WOULD YOU LIKE TO ROCK' and a funky 'OPEN UP' and one of my all-time favourites 'MAKE ME HAPPY'. Ray introduced the band and the solos started – I still don’t understand how Jon can look really cool and laid back while making such fantastic sounds and Heini, once again, amazed us all with his talent as did, of course, Helmut, who manages to be both in the background and yet in among the music as well - then, out of nowhere, the band all started changing places – it was extraordinary. Just about everyone played the drums, Heini played keyboard, it was musical chairs like you’ve never seen before. All the time the music kept coming and the band kept playing and it was an amazing 10 minutes of something between slapstick and brilliance. In fact, it was both of those, thinking about it!
But then, all too soon, 'NUTBUSH CITY LIMITS' is played and it’s all over. But, there’s still tomorrow to look forward to!
The second gig ended up being half a gig for me. I still find it difficult to understand how, but I was persuaded that as I was in Vienna, home of Motzart and Strauss, that I just had to go to a concert featuring their music and leave MJ behind. So, I only got to hear most of the first set, which was obviously better than no set!
Before MJ started playing Heini introduced the band and made a bit of a speech. I haven’t got a clue what he said but I definitely heard the words Eskimos and 'IN THE SUMMERTIME', Aliens, Monkeys and that Ray is a legend. I had thought about asking him afterwards to translate but I decided that I’d rather make up my own version, much more fun.
The set started with 'HARD HEARTED WOMAN' and continued with 'ALL I WANT TO DO', both were great. Ray then sang 'LET'S GET STARTED', a song that I had never heard before but totally loved. Great lyrics – made me tingle – and great guitar from Ray. Apparently it’s on the 'LOST IN SPACE' CD so I need to find that to add to my collection. Then came 'SHE LOVES ME LIKE A WOMAN' and Helmut did some great piano in that – it cut right through but didn’t overtake the rest of the band. Ray also got right into the groove on this song with some fantastic pedal effects – it ended up almost anthem-like and was truly amazing. We were also treated to a second, and equally brilliant, rendition of 'ALABAMA BOUND' (Ray sings Alabami – not sure if this is his take on the original ROBERT HOFFMAN song or not), which really went down well the first night. Then, just as I was joining him and the rest of the band in that wonderful groove my taxi arrived! So the last sound of MUNGO JERRY I heard was 'MARGUERITA', through the window of the taxi – and not a bad way to finish actually. |
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I am not a musician so don’t understand the technicalities of what these four guys do and I would be the first to admit that there are no doubt better musicians out there, but what they become when on stage together really is something else. There is a sort of bond, an affinity, as well as respect and total commitment to each other that comes across in the music and takes the moment to another level. Well, either that or they are all very good actors!
In this short, but very sweet foray, into MJ-land I have been delighted and amazed by the way Ray has got better and better, by the superb musicians – especially Heini, Jon and Helmut - that both back and support him, and by the way that they are still making so many people, throughout the age spectrum, so happy. Time is marching on, but Ray shows no signs of giving up his quest to entertain, thank goodness. So, thanks boys for allowing me to share your incredible talent, your friendship and your world. It’s definitely been a ball and 'I REALLY HAD A GOOD TIME' (sorry!).
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