Mo' Kauffey
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Mo' Kauffey

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"“Coffee is Good but Mo blues is Better”"

Acoustic Gallery, February 8, 2005 - Mo' Kauffey
"Coffee is Good but Mo blues is Better"
These were the words written on both sides of Mo' Kauffey's tee shirt Tuesday night; Mo's blues turned out better than we could have hoped for.
It's true. The Pueblo Songwriters and Musicians Association held its final Acoustic Gallery in the old Irish Pub as we know it. We could not have picked a better artist to help us through this sentimental journey. The fabulous Mo' Kauffey was invited to do the gallery for us. Having spent many years of his life here in Southern Colorado, Mo' has roots that run deep in these parts and many of his old friends were out tonight to see him. Mo' has been living up in Guelph Ontario the last few years so we were lucky that he was in town for the show. Whatever Mo' has been doing up there in Canada, it's been good for him! Musically, Mo' continues to expand and with each trip back to see us, it seems that he keeps reaching new artistic plateaus. His signature sound has become very pronounced and he performs with quite a lot of stage savvy.
Mo' starts the music this evening with his old 12 string guitar, mentioning that he's preparing to perform at a Leadbelly tribute concert this April. He thought he should play the 12 string in order to prepare for it. Mo's song choices for the show were an interesting mix of cover songs with quite a few original songs as well. Mo' always picks interesting cover songs. A few he played for the show were: Roger Miller's King of the Road, Mack the Knife, Danny O'Keefe's Good Time Charlie Got the Blues, Merle Travis's Sixteen Tons, Ian Tyson's Navago Rug, Robby Robinson's The Weight, John Prine's Angel From Montgomery, Mo' also covered some songs written by friends of his. These were: Ken Brown's Missing You, Gary Fowler's Hare Krishna Rhumba. He also covers a comical number for his sister Joyce called How Can I Miss You If You Won't Go Away written by Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks. Of course, Mo' turned us on with original music too. He played a beautiful song written to his wife called Celebration, which is on his latest CD. Mo' played a comical number that I really like called Charlie Hates the Blues. Mo' also played a number called Faded Love; it's a sentimental number and it's the only song he's written on a 12 string. Mo's Peace Sign In the Snow combines his comic abilities with timely and unmistakeable discontentment with hawk-like policies that seem to prevail lately. Mo' also threw in many traditional songs, many of which have developed into his own style and flair. A few of these were: I Know You Rider, Sitting in Ya Ya, and the Railroad Work Song. Donovan McNeilly and Bryan Richie joined Mo' for a couple of numbers. These fellas worked on a recording project a couple of years back and have been long time friends. They played Cab Caloway's One Meatball and a couple of Mo's songs called I Just Sing and Whatcha Gonna Do? The trio sounded great and then Mo' called up a couple more friends to come play and make up verses for Leadbelly's classic Good Night Irene. The other players were Peter Burg, Randy Martella and myself. Mo' figured that this song would be an appropriate way to finish off the last night at the Pub and he was right. The evening finished with a sentimental mood but with a sense of optimism too. We'll carry on in new quarters! Thanks so much for the show Mo'!
Dave Gouge - Host - Pueblo Songwriters and Musicians Association


"CD Review"

Mo' Kauffey
Whatcha Gonna Do
(mo-005)
by John R. Taylor
Review date: August 2004

In an age of computerized media overkill, when so much of what passes for music is little more than product, it's all too easy to forget that music's true purpose is communication, not commerce.

Which may not render a gem like Mo' Kauffey's "Watcha Gonna Do" any more of a delight - it's just fine on its own, thanks - but it does make it all the more valuable. The disc - and indeed, the man himself - seems a throwback to a more innocent age, when friends would gather to make music together as a matter of course, rather than buying it, pre-packaged and targeted to a particular demographic, off the shelf.

With only three covers among the disc's fourteen tracks (Kauffey wrote all the rest except "Missing You," contributed by bassist/guitarist/engineer Ken Brown), Mo's crafted a homespun collection that celebrates life's simpler pleasures. The approach, accordingly, is low-key and laid-back. Yet the unflinchingly honesty of Kauffey's delivery and his obvious sincerity lend their own quiet intensity to proceedings.

Kauffey is joined here by a number of friends. Mel Brown, contributing both organ and acoustic guitar, is probably the only name of note. But participants all acquit themselves quite nicely, and the disc isn't really about instrumental wizardry anyway. Indeed, Kauffey took that rather unusual approach of using his own guitar and vocals as the bed tracks, with bass and drums added on later. (Piano on two cuts, courtesy of John Havlicek, was actually submitted over the Internet and mixed in locally - obviously Kauffey's not entirely averse to modern conveniences!).

So what kind of music does one find here? First, this isn't really a blues disc, at least not by conventional definition. While there are definitely blues here, most would probably file it under folk. The feel is acoustic; though there's a bit of electric guitar here and there, it's primarily for texture and remains subdued, and both harmonica and bass are unplugged. Kauffey's warm and weathered voice is more smooth than gruff, and he delivers everything with a relaxed, laconic ease that's utterly perfect for the material. And that material ranges from stunningly beautiful - the bittersweet "Celebrate" is achingly lovely and infused with a timeless wisdom - to the gently upbeat, as represented by the wryly humorous "Charlie Hates The Blues."

They're songs about ordinary life and extraordinary moments, carefully crafted and rich with a lingering resonance. The covers - the traditional "Railroad Song," Merle Travis' "Sixteen Tons," and Lightnin' Hopkins' "Fan It" - are well chosen and ideally suited to Kauffey's laconic approach. Ultimately, somehow, it all seems to add up to something approaching wisdom.

This isn't the type of disc to liven up a party; the prevailing mood is bittersweet, with an air of not-quite-melancholy reflection throughout. As the soundtrack to a rainy day, though - accompanied, say, by a nice cup of tea (okay, make it a 'kauffey')- "Whatcha Gonna Do" seems an ideal way to while the time away.

Very nice!

Web: http://www.mokauffey.com - MNBlues


"Listening to Kauffey’s new CD leaves you yearning for Mo’"

Friday April 9, 2004-04-09

Listening to Kauffey’s new CD leaves you yearning for Mo’
By Bill Reed
THE GAZETTE
____________

Title: “Whatcha Gonna Do” by Mo’ Kauffey.
Style: Country blues
Personnel: Mo’ Kauffey (guitar and vocals); Mel Brown (Hammond organ and guitar); Ken Brown (bass, guitar and vocals); Dave Colter (drums); Max Bent (guitar); Ken Moores (harmonica); Derrick Chapman (seven-string guitar); John Havlicek (piano).

What this guy is all about: Kauffey is a Pueblo native who has played his music on the Front Range for many years. Here lately, though, he went and married a Canadian woman and moved to Ontario. He visits Colorado several times a year, but this visit has been extended by visa problems. Kauffey will be playing in town until June.

Sources of inspiration: Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jorma Kaukonen, Roger Miller.

What “making it” would look like: “Just make my music, and pay my bills and live comfortably,” Kauffey says. “I don’t have any false dreams about being Metallica. There’s a lot of room in the middle to live a comfortable life playing music.”

His most rock star moment: “Sharing the stage with Mel Brown at a songwriters workshop,” Kauffey says. “(Shoot), I love it all. I just dig performing.”

CD vitals: 14 songs, 45 minutes, produced by Ken Brown and Mo’ Kauffey.

Test drive: Song samples at www.mokauffey.com

Available at: Independent Records, www.cdbaby.com, www.mokauffey.com and gigs.

Review: Like sitting in a rocker on the front porch. Like an afternoon at your favourite fishin’ hole. Like a float trip down a lazy river.
Mo’ Kauffey’s country blues is about as easy going as music can get. Don’t go thinking that means his music is boring, because it’s not. But his album “Whatcha Gonna Do” offers up quiet pleasures rather than lightning and thunder.
His voice is effortless and soulful. His guitar work intricately weaves its way through the music. His guests offer delicious textures without overpowering the songs. This tasteful collection of tunes will have you hankering for mo’ Mo’.
- THE GAZETTE


"Mo's better blues"

Well-travelled Kauffey starts to feel at home in blues community with release of new CD

JASON SCHNEIDER

(Jan 15, 2004)

With his tall, skinny frame and weatherbeaten face covered by an ample beard, it's easy to imagine that Mo' Kauffey and his guitar just blew into town on a freight train. While that may be stretching things, the truth is that Kauffey (a.k.a. Gary Wickizer) has played his music all around the world, but since meeting the woman who has since become his wife, he seems ready to settle down in the region.

About a year ago he introduced himself to the local blues community, which immediately embraced his laid back, folk-inflected style. The ensuing time found him recording with respected Guelph folkie Ken Brown, and the results can now be heard on Whatcha Gonna Do, Mo' Kauffey's fifth album.

"We worked on it for about five months and we got some great musicians to help out on it. I really feel lucky that I've gotten to know so many great players since I've been here," Wickizer says.

"Ken came up with the term Mo Magic to describe the sound, which to me is just what happens when I get together with all the friends I've made in the past year to play music.

"One of the better moments was recording with Mel Brown. When we arrived for the session, he was already playing the Hammond organ and it was one of the most amazing sounds I've ever heard."

Wickizer says that this recording is also the first one he's overdubbed multiple instrumental parts, having previously preferred to record in a traditional live setting. However, it's hard to make that distinction as the homespun approach to his music still harkens back to simpler times.

"That's just the way I write songs, I guess," Wickizer says. "I remember hearing records by Brownie McGee and Blind Lemon Jefferson when I was young and that sound just hit me. After that I went through all kinds of phases with music, but that simple stuff always stayed with me. It's just what naturally comes out when I pick up the guitar."

Aside from a few covers (including one by Lightning Hopkins and the country classic Sixteen Tons), Whatcha Gonna Do is all original. Wickizer says that he mostly writes lyrics from personal experience, and since he's been living in the area, that experience has been thoroughly positive.

"I can't say enough about how nice people have been since I've been living here. I suppose that's reflected in the new songs I've written. I keep thinking that I'd like to write a song that tells someone else's story, but that's something that I just haven't gotten around to doing yet."

Mo' Kauffey's Whatcha Gonna Do is available at all Beat Goes On locations, and Encore Records in Kitchener, or through his website, www.mokauffey.com.
- Nightlife Magazine


"Live review 3/2005"

Mo, Kim and Michael bring on the smiles with their first tune The Cheshire Moon, Mo’s catchy, campy original and the mood is set for a splendid evening. Mo made us see it, Kim made us feel it, and Michael made it all sparkle. Kim frequently traded leads with Michael throughout the evening on standup, custom electric, and a Bajo sexta bass. Michael's beautiful inflections on the guitar bring to mind fireworks and vibrant color. Mo’s vocal style is oh, sooo easy to listen to. Song selections covered a broad range, but I found the flavor for the evening was ‘feel good’. Even the moody tune Blues Palace couldn’t interrupt the good vibes. The all-ages audience wish Mo a good journey home to Ro up in the Canadian tundra and look forward to his timely return for another Mo Kauffey Experience.
In case you've never been there:
Jimbo’s Bike & Coffee
2212 N. Academy Pl. (just south of Maizeland off Academy Blvd.) * 574-9005
Featuring live performance most nights of the week, great coffee's & teas, and the friendliest front porch in town...
Bookmark: http://www.jimbosbikeandcoffee.com/
- Pikes Peak Blues Community


Discography

"Whatcha Gonna Do" 2003
"Pirates of the Airwaves" 2002
Mo' and Les “Headin’ South/Sno-Flakes” 2002
“4-Corners Mo’” 2001.
"Just Mo' " 2000

Photos

Bio

In the eight years since Mo’ Kauffey became the stage name for Gary Wickizer he has gone from someone known by few to a widely known, much respected, and loved artist throughout Colorado, Florida, Southern Ontario, Michigan, and points in between. He has released five full CDs during that time, with number six due to be released December 2008. He has polished his persona into a highly entertaining show, with a laid-back smooth style, full of humour whether performing solo or joined by any number of sidemen he has attracted. He performs anywhere from coffeehouses to festivals, stating, “I like the intimate crowds, but love the energy of a larger crowd!”.

“I got interested in music as a child, hearing the early rock and pop my older sisters would play on their phonographs. I took accordion lessons in grade school and had an ability to play ‘by ear’. It was at this time I first thought of having a band. The Accordion didn’t last too long and I ended up getting a guitar - hey, The Beatles were just starting to make waves - and I started teaching myself to play and learning songs. This was coming into the early 70’s when acoustic music was really popular. About this time I heard some acoustic blues “Sonny Boy Williamson” and Sonny Terry” it really caught my ear, but thought it was an old dead art form. I then heard “Hot Tuna” and John Mayall’s “Turning Point” and I veered in that direction.
I was blessed by not sounding like anyone in particular, so I had no easy path to develop, but rather sang and played the music trying to sound like me.”

Mo’ was happy to jam with friends at parties and get togethers for many years, not wanting to commercialize his music, but just have fun with it. His first professional gig was in 1976, and at about this time he formed the Last Blast Band, (without drums), and they rehearsed a lot, but played out just once, and on that outing they won the local Gong Show. The band broke up soon after that, and Mo’ did not do any more gigs until he moved to Florida in 1979 and discovered the local music scene which centered at the “Stuffed Pepper”.

“This place was alive with music every night, blues jams, acoustic jams, bands, there was nothing like this in Pueblo, Colorado, my home town, it was great, and I dived in with both feet. I grew a lot as a musician during this time, but still did not pursue it as a vocation. Moving back to Colorado in ’83, I started wanting to do more gigging and did a few with “Little Juke” as the Cosmic Radiators.”

Mo’ then formed the Singing Painters, a great but poor band, with Mitchell Maroney on guitar and Donovan McNeilly on bass. In 1989 he joined up with Bryan Richie and Donovan and called themselves the “Del Rio Trio” and performed at a little club in Pueblo. In 1991 Mo’ joined what was to become the Moonriders and they worked at gigging for about a year. Mo’ eventually left and began doing some solo gigs.

“I had a steady Monday night gig that started out solo and would invite folks to sit in; we always ended up the night with a full band on stage. Many of these guys would return weekly to enjoy the spontaneous music we would create. Then is when the enigma of my music really began. You see, musicians like to join in with me because the groove and space in my music is inviting in a free way, that ends up with the sum being more than the separate parts, to have the sum be more than the equal parts.

And that brings us to the present, or “when you get to the bottom go back to the top…….of the slide.”