Artist:Mungo Jerry
Song:In The Summertime
Album:The British Are Coming
In The Summertime was the one really big hit for the British group Mungo Jerry. Their other music did OK in England but this one song has been played on radio during the summer constantly since 1970. The leader and primary songwriter of Mungo Jerry is Ray Dorset (born Mar. 21, 1946 in Ashford, Middlesex, England). Dorset and keyboard player Colin Earl had a band called The Good Earth. They released an album that went nowhere. They decided to form a band influenced by the blues of Alexis Korner but also by jug bands. They recruited Mike Cole on bass, Paul King on guitar and Joe Rush on washboard. The name Mungo Jerry came from a TS Eliot poem. The group signed with Pye Records in England and their debut album was released on Dawn Records. Inh The Summertime was the first single and was a surprise hit in the US at #3 on the charts. By the time an album was recorded and released, Mungo Jerry had already had members leave and new ones brought in. They continued to have some success in England but In The Summertime was their only big hit and you can get it and plenty of other British Invasion hits on this 4CD box set from Sanctuary. Ray Dorset has led a version of Mungo Jerry for years and also has recorded solo albums. They still perform today. Here's a video for In The Summertime by Mungo Jerry.
Wow, I somehow had never heard of Mungo Jerry. While the 80s and 90s are the decades of music I know the best, I usually know stuff from the 70s as well.
ReplyDeleteThis song is super catchy. It was in my head all night when I was at the casino playing poker! I didn't take Dorset's advice to have a drink and a drive, though.