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JJ Grey & Mofro
Topics: music, concerts, reviews, live music, ISU
Posted by Kerrberr2 Wed Nov 14, 2007 09:30:17 MST
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When I first heard the name of the band I thought “Hmm what could a band called JJ Grey and Mofro be?"  Well I pulled out a cd from a friend and really liked what I heard.  This morning first thing I called to get tickets. I couldn't believe they had front row tickets available.  Most people in Pocatello haven't really heard what this band has to offer.  I was very intrigued as soon as I listened to the first song on the CD.

We arrived at the Stephen's Performing Arts Center and there were a ton of cars in the lot.  I was really jazzed and thought out loud to my friend that the show was going to really be packed.  Maybe it was me that was out of the loop on the music scene.  As the concert started I looked around and notice a lot of empty seats.  Come on Pocatello!  We need to start supporting some of these great performers. 

JJ Grey and Mofro started their first set with a few of their older tracks from other albums.  The college kids sitting close to us were singing the words and dancing in the aisles.  JJ Grey was sitting at his piano with a shy grin.  I know he knew we were really into his music.  You could feel the vibe in the auditorium.  Everyone around me was hyped up and getting into JJ's awesome lyrics. I noticed many different age groups in the audience.  People clapping along with the beat. 

There is a down home feel to the music.  I tried to come up with a good way to explain JJ Grey and Mofro and this is what I came up with.  Toe tapping country music slammed with a touch of rock and a big dose of Funk.  When you mix JJ Grey on his piano and harmonica and add in the guitar, trumpet, sax and keyboards you have an awesome sound.  But for me the second best part of the evening was the drummer.  George was awesome!  I watched him really feeling the music and it made me feel it deeper.  Between JJ's sweet voice and the pounding beat of those drums I was transported into the world of JJ Grey and Mofro.

You can tell that JJ Grey is a hard working man and he appreciates every opportunity he has received. When I went backstage and met JJ he was such a nice guy.  Someone I could and sit and talk with forever.  We shared stories of his years growing up and the real world he lived in.  JJ wasn’t the type of kid that grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he had a great family that taught him how to appreciate the small things life brings.  This up bringing is heard throughout his music and you know he really means what he is singing. 

I enjoyed the show and I really feel for anyone out there that missed it.  I know if they come back I will be there and I hope everyone in Pocatello will join me. 

 

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Comment From: MissKathy

Hay, What a great night. All those who missed this great night you really missed a great thing. I'm not one of the younger crowd. But let me tell you what a FUN night I had. Someone I never heard of blew me out of the water. Not only did I like the music but I could relate to the music. To bad we have this nice Stevens Performing Art center and the place wasn't even half full. Very sad. We need to start thinking outside of our boxes Pocatello. We just had a great opportune to have some new music in our world that I must say was hip hop moven. It was so hard not to want to just get down and boogie. It was so refreshing to hear something kinda new. It had a little bit of country and little bit of jazz and a whole lot of fellings and fun to it. The next time the band JJ Grey and Mofro will be in town I hope that getting front row seats will be very hard as that will mean that Pocatello woke up and went out of their comfort zone and then they will also have one of the best experience of their life. What a fun night. I want to thank my friend for inviting me as I did not see the advertisement in the paper for this group so I would have missed out. At my age to enjoy something like this is far and few between. Must say that the mood even got to me and I had to get up and shake a little thanks to one of the ladies who came and was up moving to the music and it felt good to fell young again. Something I would have done in my wild and younger years!!!! Everyone enjoy the Holidays that are here. Lets start supporting this great city we live in and get out and do things that are down right fun!!!!!!