Search - Mungo Jerry :: Very Best of Mungo Jerry

Appealing 1970s rock & pop

Pieter | Johannesburg | 07/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 40-track 2-disc set is a comprehensive collection of Mungo Jerry's hits and best album tracks. Mungo first made the charts in 1970 with their addictive bubblegum boogie hit In The Summertime, a song that took the world by storm with its simple hypnotic riffs and catchy tune that made the top ten on both sides of the Atlantic.



The following year they scored big again with Baby Jump, Lady Rose and You Don't Have To Be In The Army To Fight In The War, all catchy numbers with the same buoyant pop rhythms, engaging hooks and soulful vocals as In The Summertime. In 1973 they had more hits with Alright Alright Alright and Long Legged Woman Dressed In Black.



Their happy mix of prominent piano, guitars and banjo gave them a unique and appealing sound on those hit singles. I would call it folk-pop, but the vocals had a distinct bluesy rock feel and some of these tracks are pure hard rock, though still with a bluesy, at times acid rock, undertone, like the 9-minute tour de force I Just Wanna Make Love To You.



This collection includes rarities like the band's minor successes Johnny B Bad and Maggie. Besides the aforementioned hits, my other favorites include On A Sunday, My Girl And Me and Summer's Gone. Their music is a beautiful reminder of the colourful variety of rock and pop styles that flourished in the UK in the 1970s and this is by far the best compilation."