Text
© Robert Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2015
Images from the Internet
Alligator Records / Thunderbolt Productions /
Madison House / Flying Pig Studio / MVD Visual
119 minutes, 2011 / 2013
www.mvdvisual.com
Anthony Cole: drums
Dennis Marion: trumpet
Art Edmaiston: sax
Anthony Farrell: keyboards
Todd Smallie: bass
Images from the Internet
JJ Grey and MOFRO – Better Days: The
Live Concert Film
Directed by Spookie DalyAlligator Records / Thunderbolt Productions /
Madison House / Flying Pig Studio / MVD Visual
119 minutes, 2011 / 2013
www.mvdvisual.com
Up
North, JJ Grey and MOFRO are not as well-known as some of their other Southern brethren
that walk the path of rock, blues and country. Part of this concert documentary
is musicians, including members of the band, describing MOFRO’s sound and
everyone has a different slant to it. So, what the hell, here is mine.
I
definitely would not call it Southern Rock. I can see them as more Skynyrd than
the Allmans, with some of Jim Dandy’s growling Blues and less tight pants, but
not as much rock. Swamp rock is a good descriptor, but more if it had more
classic R&B and Gospel. And for good measure, as one member of the band
says, add a bit of “J[immy] Reed.”
The
reason why all these are accurate, is because they refuse to stay on any one
highway line, but move from lane to lane, keeping it interesting. For example, “DirtFloorCracker”
is solid Southern Rock, even though, as I said, I would not classify them as
such. Another, the title cut “Brighter Days” sounds to me like something out of
the John Mellencamp – er – camp.
This
documentary is a cross between a concert and talking heads. The live music
part, which is a complete concert, was taped at the Variety Playhouse in
Atlanta, GA, on January 22, 2011. It’s not too far up the swamp from where JJ
grew up near Jacksonville, F-L-A (same town as Tom Petty, who followed a very
different musical path). You can hear it in JJ’s voice, as he says the lyrics
with a deep drawl, “Ain’t but one thing dat’s foww showw / Ev’rybhudy wants
sommoww.”
Before
each song, there is an interview part, mostly with the tall, lanky and graying Grey,
which beautifully sets up the meaning and tone for the song to come. All the music
is shown completely, thankfully, though the one where he introduces the band
seems to go on a bit.
The
MOFRO’s behind JJ are phenomenal musicians, especially Dennis Marion’s trumpet
and Andrew Trube’s lead guitar. The whole band gets more than one solo throughout,
and each one shines without trying to top the rest. It isn’t a contest, it’s an
expression of talent.
I
wasn’t familiar with MOFRO’s output before, but I may keep my ears perked up if
they come my way to play. The closest I knew was Bodeco (who I have seen live,
and they killed), and the Formerly Brothers (Amos Garrett – Doug Sahm – Gene Taylor),
which by coincidence was what I was listening to the day before playing this
DVD, but it’s nice to add to the repertoire.
If I
had any complaints about the documentary, they are small and petty. For
example, I would have liked to have had the song titles come up as they
started, and as with most of these kinds of films, the talking head interviews
are identified once, and then you just have to remember who they are, which
makes it harder if they are (a) less known and (b) there are many involved. As
I said, petty.
If
you are into this kind of sound, I recommend this highly. If you’re bored by
Southern Rock as it stands and prefer a more raw sound that has a bit more country
and R&B to it than the rock, check ‘em out. This film can easily hold you
until then.
Band:
JJ Grey:
vox / harmonica / rhythm guitar /tambourine
Andrew
Trube: lead guitarAnthony Cole: drums
Dennis Marion: trumpet
Art Edmaiston: sax
Anthony Farrell: keyboards
Todd Smallie: bass
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