Stormbringer

This is a copy of Deep Purple´s album “Stormbringer” (1974), signed by four out of the five members – David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Jon Lord and Ian Paice. The only one missing is Ritchie Blackmore.

I obtained the signatures of Coverdale, Lord & Paice when they visited Sweden in 1981 as members of  Whitesnake. I catched Glenn Hughes a few years later and he kindly added “To Michael” with his signature (can´t remember the year, we met a few times back in my active years).

Needless to say, it feels good to have this. The idea to take a snapshot came to me yesterday as a Tommy Bolin facebook group showed a picture I added here (earlier) on Trinkelbonker of a Deep Purple bootleg called “Get It While It Tastes”, signed by David Coverdale. I got that one on the same occation as this (and a couple of others, his first solo album “White Snake” for sure).

I think I have a few images of some of the lads signing these records somewhere. I might post something here later on.

Good memories.

(My image of said album)

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Mojo Party

Michael “Mojo” Nilsson is a blues master (guitarist/singer) from my neck of the woods (mid Sweden) and I always enjoy his shows. Yesterday he threw a release party for his brand new (second) album “The Abduction of Big Papa Mojo” (Nowamind Records) here in Östersund and I decided to check it out.

I have seen him a few times but this crowd was the biggest yet, which was nice to see. His fellow partners in crime – local professionals all – backed him up beautifully and Mike gave them all time to shine. He is a master with the crowd, always makes people laugh in between songs etc. His playing is flawless and intense, think Joe Bonamassa and you are in the right ballpark. Same influences, I´m sure. On top of his playing and the good natured humour, he also sings like a king (Tom Jones comes to mind, he has the range and the power). For a good night out, this is pretty perfect. I think a pure live album, recorded on a night like this, would serve him well.

There is a story behind this record that is rather interesting, and which explains the title. Michael was sort of abducted. A friend, Jens Ganman, had asked Mike if he could lay down a few solos for one of his projects and clueless of what was about to happen our guitar man walked into a studio full of familiar faces. They had booked the studio for him to use and they were all ready to back him. Not a bad birthday present. The album in question was recorded in a day and a half, jammed live. A few overdubs was added later on top, although all guitar solos were done live and was kept as they were captured on tape. This explains the records slightly weird title but it also explains the fire on display. Or to quote Mike in the inner sleeve – “…we attacked the instruments with the excitement of a bunch of starved orangotangs, chasing a banana”. Well, that just about sums it up I guess.

The musicians are Björn Höglund (drums, Hoven Droven), Lars Ericsson (bass), Per Stålhandske (Hammond and Fender Rhodes), and Bo Lindberg (guitar).  Mats Lundin worked as soundengineer at Earcraft Studios. Drummer Höglund also had a bigger overall part in the production of this record, a master in many ways with a talent only rivaled by his relentless enthusiasm.

The result is one of the best albums I have heard in years. This is how music should be recorded, quickly and with musicians that love what they do. This is how plenty of great albums were done 40-50 years ago and it bloody well works now as well. Think Tom Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac. Michael quotes people like Johnny Winter, Albert Collins, Freddie King, Ronnie Earl, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Rush, BB King, Peter Green, Angus Young etc as responsible for him wanting to be a musician. He also throws in Justin Bieber in the mix, always going for that laugh.

The record includes songs by Otis Rush, Peter Green, Bob Dylan and other masters, as well as some originals, “It´s A Mojo Party” being the most obvious hit (well, it ought to be one) of the latter (penned by Mike and drummer Höglund). “Keep On Lovin Me Baby” (by Otis Rush) is a great party animal of a track, I can see this being played on the radio. Furious, made for crazy dancing and happy crowds. This song is followed by a traditional blues called “John The Revelator” that brings you right down to another place. When musicians pull this kind of stuff off with such effortless drive, it´s pure magic. It´s like being transported right back to the good old 70´s. That´s were the clock stopped. Just great playing straight from the heart.

I know that this is probably one of the first reviews in english for this artist, but that is just a twist of fate. It would be nice if people discovered how good this guy is.

Also, he has balls. He almost won one of the last runs of The Voice here in Sweden (came in at number two), but declined to be handled by a record company that wanted to change him and go for the hit parade. Instead, he waited until he could release this record and here it is.

This is Michael “Mojo” Nilsson, the way he is supposed to be.

(My live shot)

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