The Knockouts, Bob D’Andrea at right (hugging gorilla…)

 

Listen/Download The Knockouts – Mo Jo (Got My Mo Jo Working) Pt1

Listen/Download The Knockouts – Mo Jo (Got My Mo Jo Working) Pt2

Greetings all

Every once in a while I find myself entranced by a record that despite coming from an artist/scene outside of the ‘traditional’ soul/funk orbit.

There are countless examples of performers taking a temporary detour down soul street. Granted, most of these folks were on some sort of parallel course, whether it be R&B, jazz, or even (in this particular case) doowop, but the records in question are often extraordinary.

As far as I can tell Bob D’Andrea and the Knockouts started out like many other Italian harmony groups in the New York area, working a ballad-heavy twist on late 50s/early 60s doowop.

There are traces of Dion and the Belmonts, but their ballad performances are not my cup of tea.

However, there are a few items in their discography (roughly 1959-1965) that suggest that the group had a taste for wilder stuff.

Their 1961 b-side ‘You Can Take My Girl’ is a much more raucous affair, with touches of actual R&B making their way into the mix, but even then, it barely prepares you for today’s selection.

Released in 1964, ‘Mo Jo (Got My Mo Jo Working)’ sounds like Joey Dee and the Starliters got their hands on some slightly poisonous hooch and went right out of their minds.

The arrangement runs at roughly 100 miles an hour, pushed along by bass, drums, handclaps and a churning combo organ, with a wild vocal by D’Andrea.

What little information I’ve been able to find on the group suggests that they were first and foremost a live band, working it out in the clubs along the Jersey Shore.

‘Mo Jo (Got My Mo Jo Working)’ sounds like 100 sweaty nights of whipping drunken revelers into a frenzy compressed into roughly five minutes (both sides, natch) of madness.

Someone in this band had a taste for the (musical) hard stuff and it comes through on this record.

I’ve done the math a hundred times, and no matter how I run the numbers, there’s no sane reason that this record should be as good as it is, but it is.

The Knockouts made an LP called ‘Go Ape With the Knockouts’ that included both sides of this 45 as well as a serviceable version of ‘I Got a Woman’.

Lead singer Bob D’Andrea still performs today in Atlantic City as part of the music/comedy duo of Andre and Cirell.

I hope you dig the sounds, and I’ll see you all on Wednesday.

Keep the faith

Larry

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Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived! The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock. They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US). Click here to go to the ordering page.

Also, make sure that you check out the links below to the Be The Match Foundation and POAC (click on the logos for more info).

 

 

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

One Response to “Monday – The Knockouts – Mo Jo (Got My Mo Jo Working) Pts 1&2”

1. Tom Diehl says:

   February 9, 2018 at 2:09 am

   Part 2 was exclusive to this 45, it is not on the lp. Also, a different recording of the song was cut by the group for Scepter records.