MOJO Issue 181 / December 2008
FREE CD!: COHEN COVERED. 15 of the rock poet’s greatest demon-exorcising songs as interpreted by some of his most fervent admirers, including Nick Cave, Dion, Josh Ritter, Judy Collins, Katie Melua and Martha Wainwright. PLUS! A previously unreleased recording of Suzanne by Echo & The Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch.
LEONARD COHEN: In a career spanning over four decades, Leonard Cohen has never had a year quite like 2008. The last 12 months have seen him fly out of music retirement to take his songs on the road once again - this time to his biggest audiences ever. MOJO’s Sylvie Simmons looks back over a life brimming with music, women, Zen and the devil with the man they once called Captain Mandrax.
METALLICA: In this month’s MOJO interview, Paul Elliott catches up with the High Lord Of The Heavy Riff, James Hetfield, to deduce just how he’s managed to survive metal world domination, Alcoholica, rehab and rejuvenation. PLUS! Ben Mitchell delves into the story behind the globe-conquering Black Album and discovers why it was “the hardest record” the band have ever made.
JOHN MELLENCAMP: As the US election looms John Mellencamp is out front with the Democratic party. MOJO’s Phil Sutcliffe talks to the man once known as Johnny Cougar and discovers why the struggle to become a true artist is still so darn important.
GRACE JONES: Be afraid, be very afraid. The disco dominatrix is back and ready to wreak havoc with her new album, Hurricane. MOJO’s very brave Tom Doyle gets to grips with the disco diva as she bares everything, well…almost.
MOGWAI: Dodgy pacemakers aren't the usual concerns of the modern touring band, but post-rock kings Mogwai have never done anything by the book. MOJO’s Keith Cameron catches up with the Glaswegian collective during the American leg of their tour and finds out why music is more important than life, the universe and everything.
RICK WRIGHT: The recent death of keyboardist extraordinaire Rick Wight marks the end of era in the Pink Floyd universe. We cast light on the life of the man who constructed some of Floyd's most beloved soundscapes. PLUS! His last ever interview!
REVIEWED!: Amadou & Mariam’s blinding release / The return of The Cure / John Legend / Ryan Adams & The Cardinals / The Dears / Joan Osborne / Buzzcocks rediscovered / Loop / Echo & The Bunnymen / Nina Simone / Hank Williams and many, many more!
PLUS! Grandmaster Flash / Kinks Comeback / Macca and The Fireman / Remembering Norman Whitfield / Tom Jones reveals all / Stephen Stills jams with Hendrix / Ricky Wilson’s self-portrait / Franz Ferdinand’s third on the way.
AND FINALLY . . . Our Weird Record Club gets spooky as MOJO breaks the spell to take a look at Louise Hueberner’s Seduction Through Witchcraft.