I have been unfortunate to miss the last few Mookie Brando and the Second Cousins gigs, but made up for it by staying out until 1:30am at the Gondozo on January 12th. The first set was a nice surprise featuring the Second Cousins without Mookie, but included returning prodigal son and fiddle virtuoso Jerome Li Thiao Te and mostly originals well-written by Greg Zeigler. The full band set followed.

I especially liked "Do I Need an Invitation," which I did not recognise, and "Precious Little One." Eniko Bona was superb on flute on "Shakin' in the Middle of the Night." Marco rocked on "This Temptation." It was also a treat to hear Marco and Jerome on dueling fiddle and guitar on "Shine a Light." I do not know what I meant when I blearily wrote Jerome was a cheaky bastard on "I Want it Back," but I am sure I meant it in a positive way. They ended with the fabulous title track of the album "Love, Truth and Other Myths."

The after party until 1:30am featured Declan Hannigan, Jerome, Greg playing a guitar case, Marco and Kati Osztian.

Mookie Brando and the Second Cousins' next gig will be at Kuplung on January 24th.

Set List:

• I’ve Changed the Names of All the Streets
• Best I Can
• Make That Bet
• Too Proud to Cheat Too Poor to Pay
• All Boxed In
• You Are My Blessing
• Angel Tonight
• Had Enough
• Compensate
• Do I Need an Invitation?
• Been in Arrears
• Love is Everywhere
• Come to Me
• Shakin’ in the Middle of the Night
• This Temptation
• Missionary Zeal
• Angelina
• Dear Mr. President
• There Are Days
• We Ain’t Going Nowhere
• Precious Little One
• Oh Mercy, Mercy Me
• The Worrying Kind
• Shine a Light
• Want it Back
• Here I Am
• Even Through the Tears
• Mr. Cliché
• Love, Truth and Other Myths

see Mookie's review...