John Mooney/Son House and Robert Johnson

[withbellson]

Remember the movie "Crossroads" with Ray Mariachi (sp?) where he met an old blues guitarist in a nursing home and learned all his licks and then he had to have a musical duel with the devil, reminiscent of both Robert Johnson and Charlie Daniels' "Devil Goes Down To Georgia"? That is basically the true-life story of John Mooney who met Ed "Son House" when he was 16.

In Ken Burn's "History of Blues" they show about a 5 second clip of Son House, reportedly the only footage known to exist... It is unmistakable that Mooney learned his style, made it his own and surpassed the teacher!

More amazing is that the documentary suggests that it was also Son House who taught Robert Johnson how to REALLY play guitar and not a deal with the devil afterall, albeit it makes a great and enduring legend! ;)

Anyone who gets to see Mooney at Jazz Fest on Sunday, April 29th from 2:40p til 3:40p at the Southern Comfort Blues tent will be in for a real treat!!

His latest album (showing my age) "Big 'Ol Fiya" will be available at the CD Tent.

Mooney's unique, frenetic style will have you searching for a pace-maker. It's hard to believe when you meet him though that he is such a laid-back cool cat! :)

From the article at www.bluesaccess.com/No_40/mooney.html :

Mooney plays with such ferocity you swear he’s going to levitate. When he’s in full tilt, sweat flies off the guy like the burning notes shooting from his fingers, and his cowboy boots threaten to stomp a hole right through the stage. By the end of the song you don’t know if it’s your sweat or his that’s soaking your shirt — but it feels oh so good.

Make no mistake: there’s more to John Mooney than sweat and fast playing. In a world of technically proficient players who all sound alike, Mooney has developed one of the most distinctive and easily identifiable guitar and vocal signatures of anyone alive today. His snaky, slide-drenched interpretations of New Orleans mambo and second-line rhythms come by way of the Mississippi Delta and weave a seriously funky groove through the blues that can turn your backbone to jelly. Couple that with a voice that could fill a room without a microphone, resonant with emotion and soaring and moaning with the ghosts of Son House and Professor Longhair, and you have a seductive musical cocktail that leaves you deliriously drunk with pleasure every time.

It’s no accident that Mooney’s vocal stylings reflect the influence of House and Longhair (Henry Roeland Byrd). He learned under the tutelage of both.

Already steeped in the blues at a young age, Mooney first met Eddie James "Son" House Jr. in 1971 in Rochester, New York, where they both were living. "I was 16 and I had been playing with Joe Beard and Fred Palmer. We did a trio together, acoustic, and I used to play National steel. And Joe said, ‘Hey, you know you play all this Son House and Robert Johnson, maybe you oughta just meet him.’ And I said okay, so he called Son up and one day we got together at Joe’s house, just played and watched.

"We’d get together at house parties and stuff..."

The following is an account of by far the best perfomance I have ever seen from the Moon Man:

MOONEY Unmatched
SJ, OffBeat
The name on everyone's lips first weekend was John Mooney. Quint Davis gave Mooney a hometown hero's welcome-back introduction, Bonnie Raitt and her husband Michael O' Keefe watched from the wings, and Mooney proceeded to put on a searing performance that left fans exhilarated and ultimately drained. With the Bluesiana rhythm section of bassist Jeff Sarli and drummer George Recile interlocked in a rich blues and second-line dialogue, Mooney's guitar work showed his recent hiatus has only renewed his playing vigor. He paid homage to his mentor Son House with a haunting version of "Levee Camp Blues," and cut loose on a number of his trademark over-and-under-the-guitar-neck slide solos.
Still, no one expected the heights Mooney would hit for his encore, when he jumped on top of Sarli's stand-up bass without missing a beat (see photo) and towered above the crowd for one last dazzling solo. After Mooney leaped back down, screamed "Now!" and the band slammed down their last note, he walked off with his arms raised in triumph. It was the kind of moment that words can't describe, but one stunned onlooker summed it up best when he said (at 4:00 p.m.), "That's it. I'm going home. There's nothing else I can possibly see today that can match that."

Who cannot admire this guy who has been a Jazz Fest staple since 1975?

Laissez le bon ton roulet~

[Jada]

I love Mooney. He was actually the first show I caught at the Maple Leaf. What great memories. :)

[Bill/KC]

"Ralph Macchio is Lightning Boy. A kid who can make a slide guitar sing. Blind Dog is an old pro who knows it. Together, they're headed to a place where deals are made. And legends are born."

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090888/

[Festngator]

Give me proof of a $5 doation in the raffle and get a Moody JF 04 cd. Next 10 emailers. ( my email is all over this board) Cash Donation To NOMC Last item on raffle. http://www.eventbrite.com/event/48228252

[withbellson]

"Ralph Macchio is Lightning Boy. A kid who can make a slide guitar sing. Blind Dog is an old pro who knows it. Together, they're headed to a place where deals are made. And legends are born."

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090888/

I used to live in KC Misery. Do you like it there?

[Chicago Fest Fan]

Give me proof of a $5 doation in the raffle and get a Moody JF 04 cd. Next 10 emailers. ( my email is all over this board) Cash Donation To NOMC Last item on raffle. http://www.eventbrite.com/event/48228252

Just tried to make a donation and bid on a couple of items but i got a message "This recipient is currently unable to receive money." from payapal.

I'll try again later

[Chicago Fest Fan]

Remember the movie "Crossroads" with Ray Mariachi (sp?) where he met an old blues guitarist in a nursing home and learned all his licks and then he had to have a musical duel with the devil, reminiscent of both Robert Johnson and Charlie Daniels' "Devil Goes Down To Georgia"? That is basically the true-life story of John Mooney who met Ed "Son House" when he was 16.

In Ken Burn's "History of Blues" they show about a 5 second clip of Son House, reportedly the only footage known to exist... It is unmistakable that Mooney learned his style, made it his own and surpassed the teacher!

More amazing is that the documentary suggests that it was also Son House who taught Robert Johnson how to REALLY play guitar and not a deal with the devil afterall, albeit it makes a great and enduring legend! ;)

Anyone who gets to see Mooney at Jazz Fest on Sunday, April 29th from 2:40p til 3:40p at the Southern Comfort Blues tent will be in for a real treat!!

His latest album (showing my age) "Big 'Ol Fiya" will be available at the CD Tent.

Mooney's unique, frenetic style will have you searching for a pace-maker. It's hard to believe when you meet him though that he is such a laid-back cool cat! :)

From the article at www.bluesaccess.com/No_40/mooney.html :

Mooney plays with such ferocity you swear he’s going to levitate. When he’s in full tilt, sweat flies off the guy like the burning notes shooting from his fingers, and his cowboy boots threaten to stomp a hole right through the stage. By the end of the song you don’t know if it’s your sweat or his that’s soaking your shirt — but it feels oh so good.

Make no mistake: there’s more to John Mooney than sweat and fast playing. In a world of technically proficient players who all sound alike, Mooney has developed one of the most distinctive and easily identifiable guitar and vocal signatures of anyone alive today. His snaky, slide-drenched interpretations of New Orleans mambo and second-line rhythms come by way of the Mississippi Delta and weave a seriously funky groove through the blues that can turn your backbone to jelly. Couple that with a voice that could fill a room without a microphone, resonant with emotion and soaring and moaning with the ghosts of Son House and Professor Longhair, and you have a seductive musical cocktail that leaves you deliriously drunk with pleasure every time.

It’s no accident that Mooney’s vocal stylings reflect the influence of House and Longhair (Henry Roeland Byrd). He learned under the tutelage of both.

Already steeped in the blues at a young age, Mooney first met Eddie James "Son" House Jr. in 1971 in Rochester, New York, where they both were living. "I was 16 and I had been playing with Joe Beard and Fred Palmer. We did a trio together, acoustic, and I used to play National steel. And Joe said, ‘Hey, you know you play all this Son House and Robert Johnson, maybe you oughta just meet him.’ And I said okay, so he called Son up and one day we got together at Joe’s house, just played and watched.

"We’d get together at house parties and stuff..."

The following is an account of by far the best perfomance I have ever seen from the Moon Man:

MOONEY Unmatched
SJ, OffBeat
The name on everyone's lips first weekend was John Mooney. Quint Davis gave Mooney a hometown hero's welcome-back introduction, Bonnie Raitt and her husband Michael O' Keefe watched from the wings, and Mooney proceeded to put on a searing performance that left fans exhilarated and ultimately drained. With the Bluesiana rhythm section of bassist Jeff Sarli and drummer George Recile interlocked in a rich blues and second-line dialogue, Mooney's guitar work showed his recent hiatus has only renewed his playing vigor. He paid homage to his mentor Son House with a haunting version of "Levee Camp Blues," and cut loose on a number of his trademark over-and-under-the-guitar-neck slide solos.
Still, no one expected the heights Mooney would hit for his encore, when he jumped on top of Sarli's stand-up bass without missing a beat (see photo) and towered above the crowd for one last dazzling solo. After Mooney leaped back down, screamed "Now!" and the band slammed down their last note, he walked off with his arms raised in triumph. It was the kind of moment that words can't describe, but one stunned onlooker summed it up best when he said (at 4:00 p.m.), "That's it. I'm going home. There's nothing else I can possibly see today that can match that."

Who cannot admire this guy who has been a Jazz Fest staple since 1975?

Laissez le bon ton roulet~

I know there is film footage of Son House from when he was Rediscovered in the early 70's. Perhaps they found footage of him prior to his 2nd round at a music career. That would be something to see.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

I always get a big smile when Mooney picks up that whistle hanging around his neck & starts blowing. Lets all bring whistles for his Blues Tent set.

[withbellson]

Our wedding plans are that I will wear a little shear white tutu over a white pair of shorts with a white tank top and white tennis shoes with bells on them. Tony will wear a black tuxedo tshirt with shorts and a whistle hanging from his belt so whoever wants to blow his whistle can do so at will. You get the jest...bells and whistles. We will change after the ceremony into special tshirts I'm having made with "Tony and Tina" on the front with our picture and on the back will have Jazzfest, May 4th, 2007 and on the butt of the back of the tshirt will say "Just Married". Isn't that cool? I'm working on getting a tv station or newsletter to pick it up.

[sophisticated sissy]

Yes, very cool and so much fun!
Thank you for posting the John Mooney articles above. Really great reading!

[Michelino]

I first heard John Mooney when he used to play at Country Bars, Roadhouses and Festivals around here in the 70s. Son House also lived within a couple of miles of where I write until the 70s. Here's an interesting read from a local newspaper on the "last" search for Son House (http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/archives/2004/1/Seeking+Son+House%D6)....

[Corona]

Our wedding plans are that I will wear a little shear white tutu over a white pair of shorts with a white tank top and white tennis shoes with bells on them. Tony will wear a black tuxedo tshirt with shorts and a whistle hanging from his belt so whoever wants to blow his whistle can do so at will. You get the jest...bells and whistles. We will change after the ceremony into special tshirts I'm having made with "Tony and Tina" on the front with our picture and on the back will have Jazzfest, May 4th, 2007 and on the butt of the back of the tshirt will say "Just Married". Isn't that cool? I'm working on getting a tv station or newsletter to pick it up.
oh man, those sounds like the PERFECT wedding outfits!!! I can't wait to see you guys :)

[swag]

oh man, those sounds like the PERFECT wedding outfits!!! I can't wait to see you guys :)

You're just jealous of her bells.

[saturn]

Our wedding plans are that I will wear a little shear white tutu over a white pair of shorts with a white tank top and white tennis shoes with bells on them. Tony will wear a black tuxedo tshirt with shorts and a whistle hanging from his belt so whoever wants to blow his whistle can do so at will. You get the jest...bells and whistles. We will change after the ceremony into special tshirts I'm having made with "Tony and Tina" on the front with our picture and on the back will have Jazzfest, May 4th, 2007 and on the butt of the back of the tshirt will say "Just Married". Isn't that cool? I'm working on getting a tv station or newsletter to pick it up.

Can I suggest some appropriate headwear?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-1/86486/EDYOF-AngelaandJohnstaganddoe.jpg

[Festngator]

Maybe the Twofors can bring the disney bride and groom hats with the Micky Mouse ears

[withbellson]

Mornin' y'all!

I love the idea of Mickey Mouse hats...it's so us ;) Thanks Festngator and thanks to Corona. We both think you are so beautiful!! However, when we read the TH dic noticed many items referred to you ;) You sound like my friend Alice Cooper that we had to drag off the shuttle bus after a hard day at JF. We can't wait to meet you...you sound like lots of fun and a real hoot!

Listening to Terrence Simien this morning "Mardi Gras" and "All my lovin' but I still need more".

Wishin' a fantastic day to all you Threadheads! btw it is supposed to snow in Texas this weekend...is that global warming or freezing?

Tone

[withbellson]

I went to photobucket and flickr and resized our photo to the appropriate site, but it still will not upload. Can anyone assist us?

Thanks in advance!

[Carolina Beadhead]

I went to photobucket and flickr and resized our photo to the appropriate site, but it still will not upload. Can anyone assist us?

Thanks in advance!

Are you talking about an avatar pic... to go with your name? If so, email it to me rowdymom81 at aol.com and I'll fix it for ya.

[withbellson]

I'm at work and your at home on this dismal Saturday. I miss you already...I would love to spend every second of every day with you. I was thinking about you as I sat on the Easter Bunny's lap to have my pic made today, for you of course!!! Oh yeah, it was all for you!!! I thought if we could be joined at the hip I wouldn't mind at all taking every step together for the rest of our lives!!! I love you so much!!!! Or on the lazier side, you could just shrink me down and carry me in your pocket I wouldn't mind the ride!!! I can't wait to marry you!!! I L U

Tina

[swag]

Awww

[withbellson]

I miss u 2!!! Call me back again! Did you make the easter bunny rise?? I bet you did, you naughty girl ;)

B-I-L-U

[withbellson]

He raised his ears a little I think

[Chicago Fest Fan]

I first heard John Mooney when he used to play at Country Bars, Roadhouses and Festivals around here in the 70s. Son House also lived within a couple of miles of where I write until the 70s. Here's an interesting read from a local newspaper on the "last" search for Son House (http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/archives/2004/1/Seeking+Son+House%D6)....

Great article. I am a huge fan of the delta blues and I love the stories of rediscovered artists. It's just sad that there are not very many left around. In Chicago we have Honey Boy Edwards but his appearances have become very infrequent. After all he is 92.

[swag]

Honeyboy is actually playing here in DFW on May 8. Tix went onsale today. But I'm worried I may be ready for a night in, after 10 nights of Jazzfest.

[funkkjunkie]

www.musicmakers.org

[mymecca]

he's high on my jazzfest list because he doesn't really come out here much at all :0(

i saw him first at the basin st hotel in eureka spring arkansas, blues festival, probably 1989 ish...beautiful little ozark mountain town, with a great little festival first weekend in june...

among some of the other artists that made me go limp jawed gaga...that i first saw there in the 3-4 years i went...taj mahal, koko taylor, honeyboy edwards, saffire the uppity blues women, tab benoit, joana connor, rory block, jimmy thackery...i'm sure there are more...madcat & kane i really dug and don't know anybody else who has heard of them...

[Festngator]

I remind everyone of my offer posted before. 4 takers so far

[Chicago Fest Fan]

Honeyboy is actually playing here in DFW on May 8. Tix went onsale today. But I'm worried I may be ready for a night in, after 10 nights of Jazzfest.

If you really like the Delta blues this could be a must see show. After all at 93 there wont be to many more opportunities. I have seen him several times in the past 10 years an it has always been a good show.
One of the last shows that I saw didn't even highlight his guitar playing. It was an interview conducted by his manager, Michael Franks. Very interesting stories concluding with a couple of his favorite tunes.
There is also a documentary out, titled "Honeyboy" where Honeyboy returns to the Delta and visits locations from the early days of his career. It originally aired on PBS.

I know what you mean about hitting a show after 10 days of festin. Maybe you can rent the DVD and be there in spirit and start detoxing.

[Dr. A.]

I know there is film footage of Son House from when he was Rediscovered in the early 70's. Perhaps they found footage of him prior to his 2nd round at a music career. That would be something to see.

about 12 years or so ago, yazoo released a long tape of son house performing in the late 60's. it is nice quality. the son house 1965 session on columbia is worth getting, with the best version i have ever heard of death letter.
i dont know if the video was ever releassed on dvd, but the actual vhs is probably not hard to find. i believe the LMF carried the series at one time. skip james and bukka white are also in the series along with a couple of others i cant recall just now. if there is more footage pre-1965 i am unaware of it, although he did play some of the revival folk-blues festivals in the early 60's which were probably filmed at least on a limited basis.

[Headless Hornman]

I had the great fortune to catch Mooney at a free show at the St. James City Hardware Store on Pine Island in southwest Florida three years ago. Check out this venue:

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/album/moon_crowd.jpg

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/album/moon_1.jpg

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/album/deb_juj_dan_cha.jpg

The seats next to the coin laundry are just to the right of John in the first shot, in the corner under the tree. This is really a hardware store that has (had?) music out back every few weeks. They'd also sell these fabulous pulled-pork sandwiches during the show. I think they had some issues with food sales so technically you would donate $2 to pet their puppy dog and they'd give you a sandwich. I pet the dog 3-1/2 times that night.

The island got hammered by Charlie a few months after this show, but I believe it has recovered pretty well since then. I thought I heard that the store changed hands and doesn't host music any more, but I could be wrong. PaulC, this is sort of close to you--familiar with it?

[withbellson]

Hey we finally got the pic up...sorry for the delay, but it's spring and if you need a scarecrow for the garden here you go!!! No, we're very happy because we are both continuously saying it...and it's true!!! Glad you all are into this thing and we really love the idea of bells, we're wearing bells and whistles to the wedding...we're busy shopping for tutu's too and I'll be sewing the bells on the bottom...we also need to find a really cute garter than I intend on putting TH on in glitter (oh so tacky huh?).

"Basketball coach done kicked me off the team for wearing high heel sneakers and acting like a queen!!!" dat, dat, dat...dat, dat, dat...dat, dat, dah...

[seadog]

I wonder what High School John attended. I graduated from Penfield ( a suburb of Rochester ) in 1970 and remember when Son House performed at a High School assembly in 1969??

Left Rochester in 74 and never saw Mooney perform untill jazz fest.

John-are you reading?? What school did you attend? I did run in to a guy in Iowa City who roomed with you in a Apt someplace around East Ave/Alexander ?? post 1970

Hey- if your reading this- what was the blues club downtown that would bring acts like Muddy back in 69/70?

[withbellson]

My friend Dana Kirkwood said he went to hs with John in Honeyoid (sp?) Falls, NY a rural area about 50 miles south of Rochester. The area is near the Western most Finger Lakes, near Coneseus Lake. I could probably get more info if you want it...

[bluedog]

I had the great fortune to catch Mooney at a free show at the St. James City Hardware Store on Pine Island in southwest Florida three years ago. Check out this venue:

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/album/moon_crowd.jpg

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/album/moon_1.jpg

http://dirk.pitt.home.att.net/album/deb_juj_dan_cha.jpg

The seats next to the coin laundry are just to the right of John in the first shot, in the corner under the tree. This is really a hardware store that has (had?) music out back every few weeks. They'd also sell these fabulous pulled-pork sandwiches during the show. I think they had some issues with food sales so technically you would donate $2 to pet their puppy dog and they'd give you a sandwich. I pet the dog 3-1/2 times that night.

The island got hammered by Charlie a few months after this show, but I believe it has recovered pretty well since then. I thought I heard that the store changed hands and doesn't host music any more, but I could be wrong. PaulC, this is sort of close to you--familiar with it?
now that's a place I could could frequent! Awesome that Mooney was there! I'll have to check it out next time we go down ... this weekend or next. Craig actually did lunch at The Shrimp Shack off of Pine Island Road with a client last week ... he said it was really good, he also mentioned a place called "Blakey's" for dinner & entertainment. Hopefully we can get down to check them out! Wonder if they are "kid friendly"?

[PaulC]

I had the great fortune to catch Mooney at a free show at the St. James City Hardware Store on Pine Island in southwest Florida three years ago. Check out this venue:

The island got hammered by Charlie a few months after this show, but I believe it has recovered pretty well since then. I thought I heard that the store changed hands and doesn't host music any more, but I could be wrong. PaulC, this is sort of close to you--familiar with it?

Never been to the place you mentioned but have been to www.bertsbar.us... Circle game time.... Mem Shannon played on Pine Island last fall at Berts .... check out some of the bands that have played there.... from what I hear they have a Mardi Gras night every Weds. nite at that joint...

Just a few steps away is http://www.bridgewaterinn.com/ ... a cool place built over the water.... fish from your porch...

Great music, food, and people... sounds alot like New Orleans,.. only the fishin' and nearby beaches on Cayo Costa, Sannibel, Captiva, and Boca Grande are much better...

the past three hours we are finally gettin' some much needed drops from the sky..... a little thunder and lightin' thing goin' on right now... no zaaaaap yet..... still had time to catch a mess of fish this mornin'..... all catch and release today.... love this time of year down here.....