Better Get Ready...Mojo's Back In Town   Mojo & The Bayou Gypsies   Independent - 2005 A Review By Paule Pachter, July 4 , 2006

I’ve had the opportunity to review several CDs by Mojo and The Bayou Gypsies during the course of the past seven years. His latest CD entitled, “Better Get Ready … Mojo’s in Town” is a live recording of the band’s August 2005 performance at Gasoline Alley, and it’s one of their best recordings to date. Mister Mojo as his friends call him is certainly a great accordionist in the tradition of most Louisiana accordion players who can pump the four-button box to the extreme. His vocals are also very pleasing and his original material is culturally based and exciting. But, what sets Mister Mojo apart from most artists is his personality, especially when he’s captured Live! Mojo and The Bayou Gypsies are probably one of the best live acts performing Cajun and Zydeco music around today. The issue for me is that not enough venues that feature Louisiana music are tapping into this rare musical treasure. Sure, Mojo is a great draw in several festival circuits and within the worldwide convention trade. But, he deserves to headline major dance halls and concert stages across the country too. The band delivers a true Mardi Gras experience wherever they go, igniting the stage and working their audience into a frenzy of Zydeco excitement. Mojo and The Bayou Gypsies are: Mojo (accordion and vocals); Zydeco T. Carrier (frottoir); Greg Hirte (fiddle); Beau Brian (bass); and Tee John (drums). There are quite a few exceptional tracks among the 18 featured on this Live CD. I was particularly jolted by “Mojo’s in Town;” “Gonna Take You to the Country;” “Gonna Do Ya;” “Laissez L’Zydeco Rouler;” “Hey Hey Tout Quel Qu’un;” and his moving and fitting rendition of Clifton Chenier’s “I’m Coming Home.” Among the dedications, the CD is dedicated to those lost in the fury of the 2005 Hurricanes, which ravaged the City of New Orleans. What few may know is that Mister Mojo was one of a handful of Louisiana artists that immediately lent his name and talents to numerous relief efforts across the country to raise awareness and money to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He is a truly unique artist with a very strong social conscience when it comes to people in need. It’s time that those of you that consider yourselves die-hard Zydeco fans discover Mojo and The Bayou Gypsies. “Better Get Ready … Mojo’s in Town” earns our highest five-pepper rating for a great live performance captured on disc. You can purchase the CD online from Mojo’s website at: www.redhotmojo.com. We greatly appreciate your support and encouragement of The Zydeco Road. Working together, we can enhance the recognition that Zydeco music and its artists so greatly deserve on Long Island and within the Metro New York area. [ Artist of the Month ] [Sounds of The Road ] [This Ain't No Rest Stop ] [ The Road Stops Here ] [Road Shows ] [Home ] [Email ] Also visit copyright 2006 Paule Pachter/Richard Arfin. All rights reserved.