In the hallowed ranks of New Orleans “piano professors,” Jon Cleary is on the tenure track. With his new release MO HIPPA (FHQ Records), Cleary finally puts the sizzling energy of his live shows on wax.
“The fact is that the magic that happens in a live performance is unique and will only happen once,” Cleary says. On MO HIPPA, that magic is captured.
The Absolute Monster Gentlemen are Cleary on piano; New Orleans natives Derwin “Big D” Perkins on guitar and Cornell C. Williams on bass, both ten-year vets of the band. While Cornell’s deep grooves and funky beat anchor the grooves, Big D and Jon soar, with R&B licks that take the best from island rhythms, jazz, funk and traditional New Orleans soul.
Cleary, born in England, is an adopted son of the Crescent City, who’s five soul-soaked R&B funk albums with the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. As a session man, he’s played with Taj Mahal, B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt, to name a few, and is a longstanding member of Raitt’s touring band. Musically, though, his heart and soul reside on the banks of the Mississippi.
Recorded at the Vanguard club in Sydney, Australia, MO HIPPA shows Cleary and his ace band stamping their signature, groove-laden style on New Orleans classics like Professor Longhair’s iconic “Tipitina” and the Meters’ funk masterpiece “People Say.” Originals like “C’mon Second Line,” and “Port Street Blues” show the British-born Cleary’s fluency in his adopted hometown’s idiom – as he slides from street-parade swagger into soulful blues, he funks it up like a native. The smoking original track “When U Get Back” is a singular example of Cleary’s eclectic style: killer R&B infused with Caribbean funk, Cajun sizzle and a catchy pop sensibility that infects the dance floor.
The closing track, the shack-shaking funk blues original “Mo Hippa,” is a celebration of everything New Orleans, playfully challenging the rest of the world to step to the Crescent City’s legendary and effortless groove. The infectious energy in the Vanguard that night as the song took over the room is audibly apparent on the recording.
The audience was “seated, and like many jazz club audiences they were a little polite and almost seemed to be waiting for permission to move all the chairs and tables out of the way,” Cleary remembers. “When it came time, we gave them a gentle nudge and the next minute they were all getting down and shaking it New Orleans style.”
Yo man - my buddy Bobby Vandell from Minneapolis turned me onto your stuff, you are awesome! I love your tunes and your voice Brother - keep up the real-deal music!! Peace ~
All Right! thanks for the add,Jon Man,you sound good on that new Scofield album - I'm guessing someone involved loves "I believe to my Soul" as much as I do - what a fine record that is If Joe Henry ever produces a follow-up,he should definitely think about gettin' some of you Nawlinz cats aboard All the Best - Sam
Thank you for adding up & coming reggae/dub/rock trio The Roast Beef Curtains from LI, NY! Please check out our Summer Of Pleasure '09 tour calendar to catch a show nearest you!
Thanx for the ADD ~~ awwww saw you in concert with Bonnie Raitt ~~ you were amazing!!!!!!!! Love your CD ~ and enjoyed meeting you ~~ too !!~~ Fantasy Springs Casino ~ Indio California (Palm Springs area) ~
My self-produced upcoming 7-song EP, "B Sides from B Street" is set to hit shelves June 30th. Come take a listen to a handful of the tracks and see what you think! Influences span the likes of: John Prine, Chris Smither, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Jackie Greene, Josh Ritter, Wilco, Redbird, and other singer/songwriters keeping the craft alive.
I'm booking shows throughout California right now if any other musicians are looking to cobill.
Ciao Jon , Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your music and the splendid voice. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Zooming in to your Funky Platform Jon just to let you know what your Deep Funky Groove does to me while I'm out flying around looking for the Bad Guys...makes me wanna get back home to Lois and let her get Funky with me...Keep this on the QT! Lois is one Funky Wild Dancing Fool and Loves ya'll Groove!! Oh yeah, makes her get way down into that Funky thang...That's why I have you in the Groove Box every chance I get!
Thanks a million Jon for joining our ministry of Blues. It's all about peace, love, understanding, and GROOVE! Hope to perform for you sometime. Enjoyed your tunes. Wishing you the very best in Blues and life! -Big Daddy
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