"Got My Mojo Working"
-Jimmy Rogers at the Malibu Bay Lounge 2/23/97
by Swingin' Dave
What an opportunity to see a living legend! Jimmy Rogers hooked up with
Muddy Waters to form the Chicago blues sound of the fifties. Muddy's gone
but Mr. Rogers still has it going strong. The Jimmy Rogers All-Stars were
anchored by another elder statesman, Ted Harvey on drums. Completing the
rhythm section was a highly disciplined bass player, Freddie Crawford from
Wisconsin. The show opened with the lead guitarist, Jimmy Lane (Jimmy Rogers'
son), singing a tune. Then it was time for the harp player, Keith Dodder
of St. Louis, to take his turn at the vocal mike. A really fine keyboard
player, David Krull (also from St. Louis), took a turn singing also. After
an instrumental by the All-Stars, it was star time!
Jimmy Rogers needs a little help getting up the stairs to the stage
and strapping on his B.B. King signature series "Lucille" guitar
but from that point on J.R. is calling the shots. Still a very powerful
stage presence, Jimmy's cues kept the All-Stars right on the money. It seemed
to take the first set for the sound to get nailed down but once it was,
we couldn't have asked for more. Even Jimmy needed to take a break to "drink
some whiskey, to feel frisky." We got to hear many of our favorites
including "Ludella," "Goldtailed Bird," "You're
So Sweet," and of course the closer, "Got My Mojo Working."
A few tunes were conspicuous by their absence, but this was a Sunday night
gig and slow blues was the order of the evening. Jimmy had played Buddy
Guy's Legends the night before.
I had to pull out my Muddy Waters Chess box collection to get a real
perspective. The cuts are arranged chronologically so it was easy to locate
the first recording that Jimmy did with Muddy. In1951 they recorded "Stuff
You Got to Watch" (the year before I was born). "Got My Mojo Working"
was done in 1956. How might have the blues been if Muddy and Jimmy hadn't
collaborated in the 50s? Mr. Rogers has yet to receive all the recognition
he deserves, not only for his efforts with Muddy but for the three plus
decades of work to follow. Only a handful of the musicians on the Chess
set are left. One of those, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, just happened
to play C-U to a packed house on the previous night.
It was the weekend to get closer to Muddy. We could only get one of the
shows into our schedule. If all things were equal, I will always opt for
a sit-down dinner/show. The catering by Dan Montgomery was absolutely superb.
The barbecue ribs, spicy meatballs, green beans, and potato salad were plentiful.
My mouth is watering again just thinking about it! The hospitality of the
Malibu Bay Lounge was five star too. Having waitresses at the Malibu and
being shown to our reserved seats is enough to tip the scale when I consider
my ailing backside. Since I had to choose between the two shows, it would
always be Jimmy Rogers over Willie "Big Eyes" Smith regardless
of where the comforts are. How many more chances might there be to see a
bluesman of Jimmy's stature? Willie is younger and I figure that means more
chances of seeing him down the road.
Upon checking a review of the Legends show on the Blues-L, the All-Stars
had a completely different line-up for the Malibu. Did this make for less
of a show? Not on your life! The Jimmy Rogers' All-Stars are probably 3
to 4 deep at each slot. "This was the best rhythm section I've ever
seen in my life," remarked Al Chapman (bass player for our own Blues
Deacons). I'll go with Al and add that we got a real dose of Chicago blues
at its finest. Thanks to everyone at the Malibu for another job well done!!!