New Tom Petty

I saw the Heartbreakers recently and they played several numbers from Mojo. I suspect this album will please fans who like the heavier side to Petty (and who may have been less taken with Highway Companion or Wildflowers).

I really liked "First Flash Of Freedom" but for me, the big hit will be "Running Man’s Bible" - this will become an instant classic with rock fans. It is a "four-on-the-floor" bar type track - with loads of great guitar licks and great interplay between Campbell, Petty and Thurston. If I did not know better I'd say Petty has been listening to the Drive by Truckers - certainly some influences there.

Incidentally, this band is one of the most professional I have ever seen (and I have seen a few). Anchored by Steve Ferrone's rock solid beat. Sound quality and musicianship is outstanding. If you can get a chance to see them live then it is well worthwhile.

They also played Mystic Eyes (by Van Morrison) - and they play an outstanding cover - Steve Ferrone is impressive on this one for shear stamina and rock solid groove.

I also highly recommend their "Live Anthology" - it is available on Blu-ray (audio only) as well as CD (5 CD set) - the audio quality of this live anthology is absolutely stunning - teh quality of their live playing puts the majority of artists to shame - it includes many covers as well as the staples in The Heartbreaker's repertoire.

Checked it last night on the big rig: Audio quality on Mojo CD is superb. The CD will be in my car on heavy rotation for a few weeks for sure.

almost a throwback to the Yardbirds era of British R & B

Yes it is indeed a throwback to the way traditional blues were played by British. However, it has a distinctly American feel to it also - one cis left in no doubt that this is American with a Southern feel. I have had it on heavy rotation for a week and it is staying in my regular listening line up. Furthermore the album seems to be well thought out - it is a pleasure to listen to from end to end - there is enough variety to keep it interesting - there is even a Reggae number! Steve's drumming also adds a light touch - I recall Steve played with Eric Claptin for years...

Given the style of music a line up with ZZ to seems to be most appropriate.

He also said that Petty is closing on N. Young as the most SQ obsessed artist on their roster.

Petty owns ATC SCM 50's and so does his sound engineer, Ryan Ulyate. IMHO, he has always been obsessed about SQ. They perform together with the kind of precise discipline that you very rarely see today.

Mojo seems to be a sort of a tribute to older style blues of the 60's and 70's and not just the UK Blues style but American too. It seems to be mostly pre-70's style in the sense that there are no self-indulgent long winded boring show off solos that became prevalent in that period. In fact my favorite tracks keep changing. The influences seem to come from everywhere. It is surprising how catchy the stuff is without the usual chorus "hooks" that the HB's are better known for. Mike Campbell is being let loose and it is a good thing ...but far from going overboard he plays with such tasteful skill and restraint that it is a pleasure to behold.

As many famous musicians have stated "it is just as important what you DON'T play as what you do".

This album is a gem. And the sound quality is amazing.

Agreed. I would not classify it as a "demo" type recording that one might reach for to try and impress someone - it lacks the articulate detail one has come to expect from a carefully crafted and engineered album where separate recordings of individual instruments are mixed together (with plenty of reverb and studio effects to boot).

However, as a recording of a band playing together live (apparently with little or no overdubs on most tracks) it clearly stands out.

It's an average recording.

Nothing more.

Well you are entitled to your opinion and I don't have the vinyl so I cannot comment on that. The CD is outstanding as far as these things go in this kind of genre. It may not be a carefully crafted "Diana Krall" studio recording but it kicks the proverbial butt of most pop and r'n'roll recordings in SQ.

FWIW - you do have to crank Mojo to get the goods! The benefit of the better dynamic range is lost if you don't turn it up.

I just received the Bluray of Mojo and it comes with a link for a FLAC stereo 24bit 48KHz download.

It is better than the CD, same EQ and mix and obviously the same studio master but there are more dynamics. While the CD was very good, the Bluray is exceptional sound quality.

Regarding the Mojo BD, dynamics are similar to Tom Waits Heart Attack and Vine CD. Recordings of such high quality are extremely rare these days.

Some may not like the "live" sound - so opinions can vary - no doubt some will hate it.

Although, it may not make the demo shortlist purely because it lacks careful manipulation, reverb, overdubs etc. It is a very "honest" recording and sounds about as realistic as it gets.

As a recording that sounds like the band actually does sound (when playing live) - this is recording is definitely exceptional.

Mojo is nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Album

Just saw your name linked to the Tom Petty thread and checked in. Are you a fan? Not a great fan myself but my cousin is in the band - Steve Ferrone (drummer).

I have been following your cousin Steve since the days of AWB. I first saw him in 1977 in Nice, France, with AWB - at that time it was the original band with the addition of Steve - the "Person To Person" album features how they sounded back then. I have both Steve's own albums - It Up and More Head. He is such a tasteful player. I saw Steve on the Mojo tour when they came through and loved the triplet in six time feel on Flash Of Freedom - sounds like something he an Mike came up with together at The Dirty Knobs - certainly a darker sound than one would expect from Petty which is why Mojo is such an interesting new sound for the band.

Anyway if Bongo can't use those tickets then think of me ;-)

I am up North in Canada. Perhaps Steve will head North one day on a drum clinic for Gretsch. I saw a clinic with Dennis Chambers last year with Ndugu Chancler in the crowd. Dennis paid a huge tribute to Ndugu - a real gentleman - and then he proceeded with his impression of the hulk drum solo... Dennis is so good it was scary.

Steve's More Head project was with the Stone Temple Pilots and Alex Ligertwood - it rarely get's much better than that - some old favorites played with a new twist!