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 Mans 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. |
I have never been much of a fan but the new issue of Sound & Vision has a very good interview with TP. I do like the Mudcrutch album and bought it on vinyl and it came with an uncompressed version of their CD. Both of which sound great.
Anyway, the interview and reviews of his albums intrigued me enough to want to get a few of his albums. I will also get Mojo when it comes out on Bluray. |
The Sound & Vision articles are what intrigued me also, though I've been a fan for years. It seems that the band is also very psyched over this release. Cant wait to fire it up... |
Just got it, listening to it right now and digging it to the max! Classic TP&theHBs! |
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. |
UPS just delivered it to me at my office...can't wait to fire it up tonight at home. Even on my el cheapo PC speakers I am liking what I hear!
Really looking forward to seeing them this summer in Philly! |
Like it as well. Thought it would have the warm tubey magic of Dave Alvin but it is a much more traditional sounding album, almost a throwback to the Yardbirds era of British R & B. Agree with Shadorne--this will sound amazing live. My favorite track is "Pirate's Cove." |
Just got my copy. Agree with virtually everything posted here, a great record. I'm told that they'll be at Hollywood Bowl (with ZZ Top opening up) in the fall and I'm lining up seats right now. Mike Campbell and Billy G., the expectation bar is high.
Marty |
Finally got to hear it this weekend. Hopefully alot of engineers listen to it also,maybe there is hope for the modern rock recording. Sounds great. |
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. |
I ordered a copy from Amazon because of all of the positive comments here. It came today and I really like it to. It has a great rock vibe to it. |
A friend of mine is the senior artist relations/promo guy at Reprise. He's been raving about the SQ of the Mojo DVD and he brought me a copy at yesterday's 4th of July celebration. (He also said that Petty is closing on N. Young as the most SQ obsessed artist on their roster.) I'll spin it up and report back.
Happy 4th, well 5th, all.
Marty |
I ordered the Bluray version. I'll let you know. |
Great SQ on LP. More slick LA-session work and continuous improvement from the top journeyman in R&R. If Petty could just free himself from posing as a slick hipster posing as a country boy, he might write something original. I suppose it's cool that he gives the provenance of every vintage instrument played on every track, but blues it ain't. |
I just got the Blu Ray. Expected more... |
Are you talking sound quality or content Ozzy? |
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. |
very succint comments, shardorne. tom petty may not make my list of the ultimate greats, but I can't think of another artist who has put out as consistently high quality a product for as long a period. I believe the key to his longevity is his innate conservatism--he sticks to his basic bar-band fare and doesn't fall into the dreaded "we must expand our artisitic horizons" syndrome. the one time he dabbled in the experimental, southern accents, he got slammed critically (though i kinda like that record).
anyway, mojo's another good record, to me his best since the (hugely underrated) she's the one. damn good guitar player, btw. |
suc·cinct
Pronunciation: \(ˌ)sək-ˈsiŋ(k)t, sə-ˈsiŋ(k)t\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin succinctus having one's clothes gathered up by a belt, tightly wrapped, concise, from sub- + cinctus, past participle of cingere to gird more at cincture
Date: 15th century
1 archaic a : being girded b : close-fitting
2 : marked by compact precise expression without wasted words
synonyms see concise
Thanks Loomis- I learned something today! |
Rwwear, I had high hopes for the Blu Ray.
The BD sound quality on this disc is just ok.
But, not as good as some of my SACD's, DVD-A's and some CD's.
The Tom Petty Music itself has a few keepers, but many are dogs. IMHO. |
you're welcome, srwooten. for the record, i meant "succinct" (which i inexcusably misspelled, btw) in the complimentary, "compact precise" sense, as opposed to the "being girded" sense, mainly because i'm not sure what "girded" means.... |
|
She's The One. Nice golf shot there, Loomis. My favorite TP album. Very under-rated. Love the loose feel.
Kind of underwhelmed with Mojo. Maybe it is just me, but it is not growing on me. I find I have been more focused on the new Exile on Main Street rather than his new album. Love the grungey feel of Exile and superb playing over many genres (gospel, blues, country, rock)--forgot how great an album that one was. Mojo has those moments, but in spurts.
Agree with Shadorne that Mike Campbell is very tasteful player--wished he would pull a Keith from time to time and really drive a song. |
For me Petty's main limitation is as a lyricist. So many cornpone daddys, mamas, devils moonshine. More self-pity than blues when suffering meaness, hurt & the high cost of living. So much runnin' from the law in flashes of freedom that feel more like California angst along the worn-out path of '70s Eagles. The musical arrangements and playing on Mojo have the high style and rootsy poise of Dylan's last few. And of course Petty can't escape his vocal similarity to Dylan. However as a lyricist he always suffers in the comparison and reads like a sheep in wolf's clothing. |
track 1: could have come off of Blonde on Blonde
track 2: owes royalties to the Allman Bros Band
track 7: Led Zeppelin rip off or tribute?
A lackluster album that has little originality.
Save your money. |
Picked up Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,"Mojo" on 180 gram vinyl. They did a really nice job on this one. It sounds great, and Mike Campbell's '59 Les Paul is captured particularly well. Read the full review on Myvinylreview: REVIEW: Tom Petty--Mojo 180 gram vinyl |
My copy of Mojo on vinyl arrived yesterday afternoon.
Played it twice. A solid recording for sure but let's not get carried away folks.
It's good but hardly great.
IMO/YMMV |
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. |
Far above "average" in my book, especially for rock n roll. As Shodome notes, it was recorded live in the studio - so it's no surprise that it's not flashy. But, this sounds much more convincing to me than the "average" r'n'r recording. OTOH, I'd have to admit that this is setting the bar pretty low - at least as far as I'm concerned. Not demo SQ for sure, but very nice of its type, nonetheless.
Marty |
Rock is by nature unrefined as it should be. But I wonder since we are listening to different versions of the recording which is the best sounding? I have yet to receive the Bluray version so am unable to comment on it's quality. |
Dread,
I think that was the point. It's kind of a stylistic survey of the late '60s. I like it quite a bit, but I understand your take on it, too.
Marty
Rwwear - Upon closer examination, it turns out that I was actually given a copy of the blu-ray, not the dvd. I haven't had a chance to cue it up yet, but hope to do so soon. I'll comment when that happens. |
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. |
>>07-13-10: Shadorne
but it kicks the proverbial butt of most pop and r'n'roll recordings in SQ.<<
No it doesn't, but you're entitled to your opinion which could be based on a very limited collection. I'm comparing it to 7,000+ pieces of vinyl. Enough said.
It's an averaga recording. |
Well, if you put it that way.....
Glad to get that straightened out because I thought it was a decidedly better than the average r'n'r cd. It appears that I sorely needed to be disabused of that misperception. It being based on my piddling 5,000 or so r'n'r cd collection which I naively use for context. Of course, I also thought that this was a matter of opinion, but I guess I'm mistaken on more than one front.
Thankfully, I learned the truth before it was too late.
Marty |
Well another 2,000+ and you exit the piddling and enter the serious.
Good luck to you. |
A pissing contest with more down the leg than over the fence. |
I'm sure Bill's right. His declaration of the relative quality of this recording is unassailable based on the difference between the 7,000 recordings he cites and the 5,000 I referenced. Who could argue with that? He is clearly 2,000 more qualified to pass judgement than I am.
No attempt to piss on (or off) anyone. I'm merely pointing out that a delta in the size of the database does not change Bill's opinion into fact. Do you seriously believe that this difference in opinion is based on the fact that, buried within those additional 2,000 recordings lies wisdom revealed to Bill but not to those with less than his mighty 7,000 recording collection?
Maybe you do. OTOH, I suspect that - as is so often the case - Bill states his opinion as fact because that is simply what he does.
My leg feels nice and dry.
Marty |
My responses to Marty and Shadorne are over the top.
Please ignore idiot me.
To the gallows....... |
You know what - My apologies to all. Specifically Bill. I'll feil (sorry!) this one under: Agree to Disagree.
Marty |
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. |
Audiofiel,
This, "MOJO" represents a unexplored direction for this band.
In my opinion, they "Nailed" it!
This is more of a blues experiment, and to say that it is in anyway a failure, is to completely. "miss the point".
TP Rocks!!!! |
My dear coleslaw
Actually it's you who missed the point.
I like the material.
The recording is average.
Let's brush up on those reading comprehension skills. |
At least TP did not issue a hip hop album. I would be the ONLY person on Gon thinking that was great. |
Audiofeil: I believe that while it isn't superb, Mojo is definitely an above average to excellent recording/vinyl mastering--at least by today's standards. Go back thirty years or more, and lots of albums sounded as good or better. Are you saying that Mojo is merely an average recording compared to other recently released mainstream rock records from the past few years? |
I'm saying that based on 50+ years of collecting vinyl which has reached almost 7,000 pieces (rock, classical, blues, folk, motown, country, and most other genres except rap), it is an average recording.
Today's standards/expectations have been lowered and the manufacturers are meeting them to the demise of long time vinyl aficionados.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. |
PS
If anybody else has issue with my opinion on this album (sonics not content), please private email me or call.
There's no sense in mucking up this thread any further.
Thanks
Bill |
inspired in part by this thread, i've devoted more time listening to mojo and my initial enthusiasm has somewhat temepered. there's a distinct, 70s fleetwood mac vibe to these proceedings, which is not necessarily a bad thing. however, the record is, in the end, decidedly schizophrenic--really cool, hard edged rockers are offset by the underdriven, mostly forgettable ballady stuff. plus "pirates cove" should never have entered the canon of such a fine band. nonetheless, i reiterate that mike campbell is a god. and i vote with those opining that the recording quality is superb--if nothing else, the record sounds damn good. |
The SQ controversy is interesting, as both the Pallas pressing and recorded SQ seem excellent to me as well. Bill, is it possible that your negative opinion about SQ is attributable to the digital recording process in general as compared to analog recording? Although recorded in hi rez, there is a slight synthetic character (what I would call a digital "envelope") that perhaps no lover of the analog recording process can ever get over. |
Ok, I'll take one more bite of the apple probably to the consternation of most readers but this is it.
To my ears this is simply a good but nothing out of the ordinary recording. As a frame of reference let me use another over-hyped (IMO) album recognized for its' "superior" sonics.
I now have 23 copies (18 vinyl, 5 digital) of Dark Side Of The Moon. In almost every "best recordings" thread, this album inevitably receives accolades one after the other.
To my ears, the album is very similiar to Mojo i.e. a very good recording but nothing spectacular. Yes, the special effects are cool and much of the synthesizer (VCS 3) work is groundbreaking. But sonically the album pales in comparison to Wish You Were Here, The Wall, and even Meddle for that matter.
I'm done now as I've undoubtedly PO'd many Pink Floyd groupies in addition to Tom Petty's.
Oh yeah
IMO
YMMV
Yadda yadda..... |
