Mungo Jerry

Mungo Jerry are best-remembered for their 1970 hit ‘In The Summertime’, which spent nearly two months top of the UK Singles chart. Nearly 45 years on, they show few signs of slowing down, with original frontman Ray Dorset leading the latest incarnation of the band to reasonably highly-acclaimed performances at a range of UK venues and festivals. Expect them to close with the classic ‘In The Summertime’, though that was far from their only hit. ‘Baby Jump’, another constant feature of their sets, also topped the charts, in 1971. While ‘Lady Rose’ and ‘Alright, Alright, Alright’ also made the top 10 and remain favourites with their relatively small but loyal following. Indeed, ‘Lady Rose’ is likely to have made it to Number 1 as well if not for the fact that its maxi single contained ‘Have a Whiff On Me’, a song whose drug references led the BBC to ban the record from being played and caused the Public Prosecutor’s Office to remove it from sale for a period. Some of the lyrics in ‘In The Summertime’ are a reminder of how long ago their heyday feels like. Whether the line ‘Have a drink, have a drive’ implies drink-driving – which was only made illegal three years prior to the song’s release – or whether it just refers to a pastime – going for a drive for pleasure – that few people partake in these days. In any case, Mungo Jerry’s live performances have held up well and work surprisingly well at festivals in the 21st century. Choosing to see them over at the dozens of new and modern acts alongside them in the Bestival line-up is ‘Alright, Alright, Alright’.