rupe
Active member
Just wondering when the term "mojo" became so watered down that I see it used to describe just about anything. The term, as it relates to music, originated as a voodoo item (mojo bag) used as a magical good luck charm, frequently by delta bluesmen. From there it became more widely used to describe something very special ("magical") about a musician and/or their main instrument. I'm referring to the latter from here on.
I was fortunate in that I was able to hang out around many blues cats and seasoned musicians from a young age...originally from going to shows and hanging in stores and later on from having my own store with a "barbershop" atmosphere where many players came simply to hang out, tell stories, trade licks, and just shoot the shit in general. Mojo was mentioned as a special bond between a player and his instrument that came from many hours (we're talking years) of playing and gigging...the kind of relationship where a particular guitar becomes an extension of the player. Worn and smoothed in precisely the places where the player touches it, set up and settled in to perfection for its owner. It is specific to the player and his guitar and is not "transferrable"...you can buy my #1 but the mojo doesn't come with it...you have to earn your own.
These days you hear people talking about all kinds of guitars and amps as having mojo which in my opinion (and that of the old pros who influenced my way of thinking) is BS. Its more of the "I want something now and I don't want to take the time to earn it" attitude that's so prevalent these days. New guitars (including relics) don't have any mojo. Buying a a great player with a lot of mileage my have mojo for the guy who put the mileage on it, but it has none for you until you put in the time youself.
In conclusion, mojo ain't for sale.
I was fortunate in that I was able to hang out around many blues cats and seasoned musicians from a young age...originally from going to shows and hanging in stores and later on from having my own store with a "barbershop" atmosphere where many players came simply to hang out, tell stories, trade licks, and just shoot the shit in general. Mojo was mentioned as a special bond between a player and his instrument that came from many hours (we're talking years) of playing and gigging...the kind of relationship where a particular guitar becomes an extension of the player. Worn and smoothed in precisely the places where the player touches it, set up and settled in to perfection for its owner. It is specific to the player and his guitar and is not "transferrable"...you can buy my #1 but the mojo doesn't come with it...you have to earn your own.
These days you hear people talking about all kinds of guitars and amps as having mojo which in my opinion (and that of the old pros who influenced my way of thinking) is BS. Its more of the "I want something now and I don't want to take the time to earn it" attitude that's so prevalent these days. New guitars (including relics) don't have any mojo. Buying a a great player with a lot of mileage my have mojo for the guy who put the mileage on it, but it has none for you until you put in the time youself.
In conclusion, mojo ain't for sale.
V.
