2024
Ray started work on what could be ‘my last album’ called Undefinable. Two singles taken from it, That Is Why (I’m So In Love With You) and Always Time For Coffee charted on the Heritage Chart.
IN THE SUMMERTIME ’24
Mungo Jerry released In The Summertime ’24 which peaked at No.4 on the Heritage Chart.
Mike Read declared on the TV show that the song was inspired by The Flintgate pub in Weybridge – a new one on me!
Courtesy of Mr Hans Derer, SevenUs Media, Germany, this version is included on the summer physical CD compilation –SOMMERFETE 24
Here are three links for more info on the CD.
SOMMERFETE 24#
SOMMERFETE 24#
SOMMERFETE 24#
He’s done it again!
The first time I heard In the Summertime in stereo was when a friend played it on his mother’s stereogram in the family’s good front room in 1970. This was like a sideboard with a built-in stereo radio and record player. My pal’s mum had won it in a competition, and she didn’t really know how to treat it. Vases of plastic flowers sat on lace doilies atop the speakers and small ornaments were strategically placed between them.
I listened in slack-jawed amazement as PYE’s sound engineer Howard Barrow’s Triumph TR6 engine revved across the room from the varnished left speaker to the right and back again, bridging both parts of Ray’s global summer smash.
What a song. What a sound. How could such magic emanate from such a kitsch piece of furniture? Nothing like it had been heard before or had touched so many souls with its unique and organic groove. And it continues to lift spirits and brighten moods, 54 years later.
There have been many versions of ITS over the decades where Ray experimented with different genres, not to mention the countless covers by other artists. Nothing will ever compare to the original, the purists say, and they have a point. How can you look to another version for anything extra, when the original already satisfies completely?
Mr. Dorset has lovingly reworked his original work of genius for his new Undefinable album (I can’t wait). The result is as uplifting as the first promise of summer, after a too-long winter. Resist the temptation to compare it against the 1970 ITS and you will discover how the song has matured like a very fine wine.
No matter that he has sung his classic a million times, Ray’s voice handles the lyrics like an act of worship and the big sound and all the magic of the 1970 record still carry through.
The vocal layers and Adam Davy’s sax caress the song adoringly. It is a syncopated and sophisticated update for summer 2024, but not in a sentimental or know-all way. It’s like the Grandad of the original, where wisdom and experience can appreciate the beauty of its own youth, for what it was and always will be.
This could be just what the world needs for 2024.
Mick O’Hanlon, Dublin, 2024.
PAUL KING: Former band member, Paul King underwent open heart surgery, but the good news was that all went well.
“I would just like to say a big thank you to all the people who wished me well and a speedy recovery (especially Justin) and although it will be a long road to recovery, I hope to be out and about strumming a few chords and downing a few pints sometime in May.”
All the Best…Paul .
If you wish, you can leave a message for Paul on his website by clicking HERE
Get well soon Paul!
JOHN BURTON (17/5/24): “He sounds very well and back on form and has flown off to Crete this week. Paul is actively talking about gigs there and when he gets back home.”
Click HERE to see Paul recovering and playing in Crete.
THAT IS WHY (I’M SO IN LOVE WITH YOU) PEAKS AT NO.7 ON THE HERITAGE CHART
‘That Is Why (I’m So In Love With You)’ was another hit for Mungo Jerry in the Heritage Chart, peaking at No.7. It is taken from the forthcoming album, Indefinable.
MIGHTY MAN REVISITED
Have you checked out the version in the sidebar of Mungo Jerry’s hugely popular Mighty Man by New Zealand based combo, Country Bulldog Worboys.
Now, an updated version has been recorded, accompanied by a video but this time with Ray joining in (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Cheese Grater, Jug).
The two guys, Neil Worboys (Vocals, Tenor Banjo, Harmonica, Kazoo) and Kevin Findlater (Vocals, Guitars, Bass) are now part of the Hogsnort Bulldogs Goodtime Band.
Check out their website by clicking HERE
Below is an audio recording of Coming Back To You When The Time Comes by big Mungo fan, Jim McHugh, who lives near me. Jim’s not a performing artist as such, just plays for fun. He tells me it’s his favourite Ray Dorset composition.
HERITAGE CHART 4th ANNIVERSARY SHOW
Ray was a featured artist on the 4th Heritage Chart anniversary show. You can watch the show, with Ray the final performer by clicking HERE
MUNGO IN THE GUARDIAN & ON GB NEWS
Click HERE to view an article that appeared to the UK newspaper, The Guardian (25/7/24) with Ray talking about the huge losses incurred despite being the composer of one of the world’s biggest selling single.
There was also a much smaller piece in the Daily Mail newspaper on the same subject.
Ray also appeared on GB News talking about the same thing. Click HERE to view.
MUNGO ON THE RADIO
At around 1 hour, 8 mins, Mungo Jerry’s In The Summertime, along with a few words from Ray, is featured on Johnnie Walker’s Radio Show. Just click HERE for a listen.
Here is the interview Toby did for the Keyboard Chronicles. Here, he chats about his time playing with Rialto, Mungo Jerry and The Stranglers and more besides.
Also click HERE to read an interview Toby gave to The Stranglers website where he once again talks about playing with Mungo Jerry.
JJ in France tipped us off about a feature about Ray Dorset’s 1972 solo LP, Cold Blue Excursion in the latest issue of Rock & Folk magazine.
