Here's the first of any review of BSR. It's from a different perspective than mine. It's a bit harsh; I don't agree with some of it; some of it is factually incorrect.
Otherwise, I'm not sure what it says. If I'm going to put up a review I disagree with, I will give them every benefit of why--as opposed to "it just sucks, man."
First, you might want to read it--the link is up on the 'reviews/interviews' page, then come back for my comments. Or copy and paste this link http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/090508/lif_327832583.shtml
1. I didn't think the evening was "riddled with technical problems." Yes, there were some, but it didn't seem to be worse than you see at any outdoor fest--jump in here if you were there and disagree!
2. "Complicated by the sheer number of players on stage..." Huh? It's a BIG stage; I've seen more players crammed onto juke joint bar.
3. "The band's traditional 4 piece set-up..." Last I checked, the band's traditional set-up was 6 pieces and has been for 19 months.
4. "The horns were an amazing addition..." Guess she hasn't been to a Mofro show in a while.
5. "...but were a bit overwhelming at times." She must have sensitive ears. My wife and I both carry earplugs. We were up front; they stayed in our pockets. Had to whip 'em out at Cafe 11, but not with Mofro's horns.
6. "...instrument levels seemed off..." We'll give a listen to the show off the archive and see.
7. "...horn players even busted out some choreographed Temptations-like dance moves..." Gee, lady. Might you actually research or talk to anyone? Just ask Artie or Dennis--all that shit is improvised. They don't get together and practice fcking dance moves.
And that's really all I have to say about all that.
---------- MofroFan1
Last Edited by on Sep 05, 2008 7:41 AM
WOW you would think a reviewer would take 5 minutes to go to Google and do a little research on a band they are going to review. That article is filled with incorrect info. Other than a couple mic issues and a couple squeals I thought the sounds was really good. The recording on the archive backs that up.
I'll go ahead and say that the reviewer "Just sucks man"
I paid for the VIP tickets and drive 7 hours and I was overly satisfied with my experience.
Gearing up to catch the boys Oct 30th in Charlotte. Can't wait!
While the writer definitely seems to have not seen the band in quite some time (ever?), I can't say I disagree with remarks about the sound. I thought the mix was off a bit most of the night. I was hanging in the seats swilling beer as the little woman wasn't feeling 100% and wasn't up to being down on the floor (she was a trooper to come out, however). JJ's vox got lost in the mix quite a few times. I think it's time for the Amphitheatre to spring for a new PA; just wasn't enough volume and the board guys never did get it corrected. JJ seemed a bit pissed that the mike at his keyboard wasn't working the first time he sat down, as well as the troubles when he grabbed the mike he normally used for harp. Still, a great show, great performance, everybody on stage really seemed to be having a great time. I'm anxious to hear the tapes.
Last Edited by on Sep 05, 2008 8:25 AM
Very fair assessment Flaco. I was hoping to hear from someone in the stands (so sorry to hear about your lady--what a trooper indeed). My wife and I were riding the rail so it IS hard to have any feel for what the mix is like in the stands, or even the back of the floor. We're catching as much out of the monitors as we are the PA.
I forgot about the mike at the keyboard (I'm thinking about going back up there to look around for a few brain cells I lost.) The band had kicked in and JJ sang and nuthin came out. They kept kickin it good while it was straightened out, and it took a minute or so.
I'm so damned used to the harp mike not working and JJ getting pissed about it that I don't even think about it when it happens...actually I usually laugh. It's cursed, I swear the goddamed thing is cursed. In 25+ shows I'd hate to venture a guess when either the harp mike ain't working or the volume on it is fked up...but it's a lot. It's cursed--I'm tellin' ya. (JohnDude, UHollis, aclarke, whereuat, skotdee, others...am I right, or is it just me?) ---------- MofroFan1
Last Edited by on Sep 05, 2008 8:38 AM
Definitely right on the Harp mike. Either it's cursed or whoever sets it up intentionally does that as a joke to JJ or whatever. Every show I've seen, the first time he uses it, he either forgets to turn it on, it doesn't work, or the settings on it are all out of whack. Pretty much everytime I've seen them and that happens, JJ usually comments about it before firing into it once it's finally ready. He is always messing with the knobs all the time to get it the way he wants. Would seem as though they would have that stuff all ready and set that way before the show, but only they know. Best thing about it is, with the music and style they play, its easy to transition right back into the Harp solo's and around the horn whenever it does happen, but we all know that these guys don't miss a beat.
As for the reviewer, I wasn't there, so I can't speak for what happened or didn't, but it's obvious she has or had not idea of what to expect from the guys being that she doesn't know anything about the horn players, how they play, and what they do throughout the sets. Looked like beginner or novice reporting to me. They send the newbie or intern to do that review? Is she gonna do a review on the Rolling Stones and tell me that Mick Jagger struts like a bird and Keith Richards smokes throughout the entire set? Hell if anyone knew that... Lord have mercy...
---------- Delerious Tyme
Mofro for life in Arizona The Rhythm Room is exactly that when the boys are kicking it here. "Walking on Moonlight in the Day."
Last Edited by on Sep 05, 2008 11:06 AM
Part of what makes these shows such a great experience is hearing/seeing JJ tell the story of the songs face2face. I have been to maybe 15 JJ shows over the past few years, and there have been some nights where the sound was just plain off. It's like putting soda or ice in your Maker's Mark - you are going to cloud over something that had "perfect potential." Not complaining, I understand how difficult it is to put the equipment together every freakin' night, in a different venue that supports completely different acoustic properties. On the other hand, when the sound is in balance, and (most importantly) JJ's voice is crystal clear, the show just cannot be beat, period. Judging from his reactions during the shows I've seen, JJ's emotions swing directly with overall show quality, and when the sound is on he seems to really put on a crushing show, with vibes that simultaneously make you understand one man's version of perfection,yet somehow make you question your petty existence, all while keeping you slack-jawed for a week. What I'm getting around to is, when the sound isn't perfect the show is great. But when the sound is clicking, everything else seems to fall into place and you are absolutely going to catch the show of a lifetime. As JJ&M begin to reap the benefits of the quality they have sewn, I'm sure their standards will improve and this will become less of an issue. In the mean time, when he gets a 2 or 3 night stand somewhere (like Skippers, or the late Bamboo Room), catch both shows and see if you notice a difference from night to night.
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