Mojo’s Cold Shot »
Mojo’s Cold Shot: Cephas & Wiggins, “Sounds of the Blues”
I am an unabashed fan of Cephas & Wiggins, who bring a modern take on traditional folk blues. In interviews, they’re gentlemen, who love telling their stories and giving thoughtful takes on where blues
Read More »Mojo’s Cold Shot: Paul “Wine” Jones, “Pucker Up Buttercup”
“Johnny Cash, he’s scared of me,” Paul “Wine” Jones said to me in one of the most endearing moments of my blues fandom, which came circa spring, 2002. “I played with him once, and
Read More »Mojo’s Cold Shot (Statutory Rock Edition): “Shake, Rattle and Roll”
Originally, this fine blog entry was crafted exclusively for the awesome Popdose Statutory Rock List, but alas, as I am wont to do — such as right here in the far-too-long opener to this
Read More »Mojo’s Cold Shot: The Meters, “Cabbage Alley”
The Meters, generally known for bringing some of the hottest funk in the 1970s, remain one of the “least underground” underground bands of all time. One of those bands you’ve heard of but you
Read More »Mojo’s Cold Shot: Chuck Berry, “Deep Feeling”
Chuck Berry made rock and roll what it is today. This critic would fight — and win — a cage match with any other writer who’d take Elvis as the more significant contributor. Elvis
Read More »Mojo’s Cold Shot: Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King, “Damn Traffic”
Innovation in the blues milieu can be tough: Old-skool fans like old-skool sounds and themes, and if you change it up too much, they get a little uncomfortable. Like if you pass a Winston
Read More »Mojo’s Cold Shot: Professor Longhair, “Big Chief (Part 2)”
You can’t get away from Professor Longhair, a.k.a. ‘Fess. Piano freaks who appreciate all players and who don’t just specialize in jazz or classical will tell you it’s a dead heat between him, Ray
Read More »Mojo’s Cold Shot: Brewer Phillips, “Hen House Boogie”
Semi-obscure guitarist Brewer Phillips died in 1999. His playing was a key element of Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers, the legendary band that launched Alligator Records, one of the key forces keeping blues
Read More »Mojo’s Cold Shot: Joe Beard, “37 Years Old”
The blues, sometimes, is about how big my schlong is. Or, other times, how long me and my monstrous schlong can go in the sack before we blow our top. Or, still other times,
Read More »Mojo’s Cold Shot: Koko Taylor, “Love You Like a Woman”
“I’m gonna tell you, in plain English — just as plain as I can — I’m gonna love you like woman,” Koko says. “But I’m also gonna fight you like a man.” Holy crap.
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