Photos and Article Written by Kevin Graft
JJ Grey made his post pandemic return to Sacramento Sunday November 7th almost two years after last playing Sacramento in January of 2019 at The Crest Theater. If you are not familiar with JJ, his career started over 20 years ago and he has a velvety thick smoky voice and writes songs that hit close to the heart and a funky band that keeps your booty shaking. JJ had a decidedly more relaxed nature this time around hitting the stage in a ball cap, nice shirt and slacks compared to the spiffy suit and tie of the last tour. JJ and the band quickly settled in to their specific brand of uplifting rockin’ swamp soul with Country Ghetto and JJ blowing some harp along the way and dancing a bit of a jig.
Somebody Else kept the groove going with JJ grabbing a guitar. For Every Minute, JJ stepped back and let the rest of the band shine especially bass player Todd Smallie and guitar player Andrew Trube who jammed front and center. Midway through the set Lochloosa incited one of many crowd sing alongs. Orange Blossoms was a raging foot stomper with lots of horn blasts. The Sun is Shining Down ended the set on a somber blast of a note. Sadly, the encore of Brighter Days didn’t get played due to the Live Nation curfew of 11pm. Concerts generally shouldn’t have curfews.
JJ is long overdue for a new album……but a little bird informed me that the band has been recording so hopefully we’ll get new music in 2022. His last album Ol’ Glory was released in 2015. Catch JJ & MOFRO on tour every chance you get.
JJ Grey set list
Country Ghetto
Somebody Else
Every Minute
Jookhouse
Brave Lil’ Fighter
99 Shades
This River
On Fire
House Rising Sunday
Lochloosa
Orange Blossoms
Lazy Fo Acre
Ho Cake
The Sun Is Shining Down
Find more info about JJ at his website: www.jjgrey.com
Opening the show was TK & the Holy Know-Nothings from Portland, Oregon showcasing songs from their latest album The Incredible Heat Machine. I would describe them as a dingy backwoods redneck rockin’ honky tonk county band whose truck broke down in the city and never left. A bit of dirty grit amongst the lively songs with plenty of chops from all of the members. I look forward to catching a headlining set in the near future.
TK set list
Serenity Prayer
Tunnel Of A Dream
Lonely Drunks
Frankenstein
I Lost My Beer
Bottom Of The Bottle
Hell Of A Time
Hard Times
Lord
Check out their website.
TK & The Holy Know-Nothings (tkandtheholyknownothings.com)
JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 JJ Grey & MOFRO – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021 TK & The Holy Know-Nothings – Ace of Spades – 11072021