MOJO Issue 231 / February 2013

FREE CD! MARR AND FRIENDS: A celebration of Johnny’s genius by Edwyn Collins, John Frusciante, Sandie Shaw, Beth Orton, The Cribs, Modest Mouse, The The & more... JOHNNY MARR: Can the Smiths genius, solo at last, out-sprint the shadow of the ’80s greatest band? And what’s the truth about The The and the tomatoes? Plus: tributes by Noel Gallagher, Radiohead, and more.

AARON NEVILLE: From New Orleans’ Calliope Projects to the Grammys, via the big house and smack house, the mountainous man with the angel voice has seen some things.

THE DAMNED: The pioneering UK punks relive the laughter, tears and custard pies. But hang on, who are they calling a “comedy band”?

ETTA JAMES: The rawest soul diva in the pantheon didn’t have to dig deep for pain to fill her music. Abandoned by family, inveigled by drugs, her life was the blues.

ROBERT FRIPP: King Crimson’s art-rock eminence is abdicating from music, disgusted by the venal modern biz. But not before letting fly with both barrels. “Creativity is of the heavens,” he says. “The industry is subterranean.

2013 PREVIEW: Why we’ll be rocking to Roger Waters’ Wall redux, Dave Grohl’s rock doc, King Krule’s urchin indie, Björk in a tent, and the Tuareg Jimi Hendrix.All the most enticing acts, and events, of the next 12 months compiled.

REVIEWED: Villagers / Aaron Neville / Biffy Clyro / Broadcast / Alasdair Roberts / Esben & The Witch / I Am Kloot / Bessie Smith / The Who / Nick Drake / Jackie De Shannon / Ernest Ranglin / The Moving Sidewalks / Iggy Pop / Tracey Thorn / Danny Baker / The Rolling Stones / Lonnie Donegan / West Of Memphis / Robert Glasper & DOOM / Alabama Shakes and more.

PLUS! The Black Keys: new album / Introducing Matthew E White and Rival Sons / Jools Holland’s Mindblowers / Andrew Loog Oldham / Revisiting Breaking Glass / Soundgarden / Farewell, Chris Stamp / Unseen Joe Strummer / James Chance and The Contortions.