Cult songwriter and Godfather of Pub Rock, Mickey Jupp releases his new album ‘Times Like These’ through Conquest Music, on 13th December 2024.
Released in 2022, Up Snakes, Down Ladders was Mickey’s first official new album of new recordings in over 30 years and has delighted his fans, critics and lovers of blues, rock & roll and quality song writing everywhere. This was followed by Hallelujah To Amen, which came out Autumn 2023 and, once again, is a treasure trove of superb songs.
“Not a wasted word, nor a pointless chord. Mickey Jupp is a total original” Classic Rock 9/10 album review.
Mickey Jupp started his musical journey in the early 60’s around Southend-On-Sea and was a hugely influential figure in the UK R&B and Pub Rock scene in the 70’s. His outfit, Legend, recorded albums for Bell Records & Vertigo, including the famous Red Boot album, which inspired future legends such as Paul Weller, Ian Dury, Joe Strummer, Dr Feelgood and arguably the whole pub rock movement. A solo career followed, with albums released on big labels such as A&M, Chrysalis & Stiff, but sales success never really materialised, despite working with producers such as Nick Lowe, Mike Vernon, Godley & Crème, Tony Visconti and Francis Rossi. Critically acclaimed albums followed with little chart impact and Mickey chose to follow his heart to his beloved Lake District.
Throughout his career, Mickey Jupp has shunned the limelight.
A distrust of authority, an ambivalent attitude to fame, and a struggle with the pressures of recording & public performance, bad luck… all have been factors in Mickey’s lack of commercial success.
Maybe there are precious few gold discs hanging on his wall, but Mickey Jupp has never been short of respect and admiration from his peers & the music press.
“Mickey Jupp is the best white singer I’ve ever heard.” Wilko Johnson
“A star who, for some reason known only to God and the fates, has been passed over while lesser men achieve fame” NME
Over the years, Mickey Jupp songs have been recorded by artists ranging from Dr Feelgood, Elkie Brooks, Ricky Nelson, The Judds, Delbert McClinton, Dave Edmunds, Gary Brooker , Chris Farlowe and Nick Lowe.
Although Mickey was no longer visibly engaging in the music business, he never stopped the business of making music. His lifelong love of song writing has resulted in Mickey recording well over 400 new songs at his cottage in the beautiful Eskdale hamlet of Boot. The vintage equipment did not stop him in crafting exquisite recordings that showcase his stunning vocals, subtle guitar work and sublime piano playing.
Then there are his astonishing lyrics. They have charm, humour, simplicity and brilliant wordplay that can raise a smile or bring a lump to the throat in equal measure.
Mickey Jupp is a phenomenal wordsmith at the very top of his game.
Conquest Music finally convinced Mickey Jupp to make his home recordings available to the wider world.
The elusive chart success finally was achieved shortly after Mickey’s 80th birthday when Stuck Behind A Maserati reached number one in the Heritage Chart this year.
Times Like These is the third volume of The Boot Legacy, a series of albums in which these Mickey Jupp home recordings, having been lovingly and expertly re-mastered, are at last available in good quality audio for general appreciation.
Whether it be the confessional opener, God and Johnny Walker, the amazing two chord wonder of The Right Room, the painfully reflective Times Like These, or the nod to his influencing of legends Dr Feelgood in Doctored, the wit and magnificence of Mickey’s lyrics are a constant thread throughout this set.
Equally ever present is the incredible tone and quality of the Mickey Jupp vocals.
Now having reached 80 years on the planet, his voice remains ageless.
“Jupp is still a master”. Mojo
The full tracklisting of Times Like These is:
1 God and Johnny Walker
2 The Right Room
3 Times Like These
4 Don’t Say Nothing At All
5 I Very Very Know
6 Travelling
7 Love You For A Living
8 Baby Love
9 Function To Function
10 You Bring Out The Blue In Me
11 Doctored
12 Honky Tonic
13 The Impression
14 You Wouldn’t Know A True Love
15 Christmas Card Blues
16 Wrong Food
All songs written, performed and produced by Mickey Jupp except 9, 11 & 14 which are written by Mickey Jupp and Chris East.
The album can be pre-ordered along with special stuff here:
The album is available on digital via this link:
To celebrate the imminent festivities, there’s also a 4 track Christmas EP out on Friday 29th November.
1 Christmas Card Blues
2 Crazy Cowboy Christmas
3 Christmas Daydreaming
4 Rhythm of Christmas
The fourth album from Mickey Jupp’s Boot Legacy Series, Dance With Me will be released on Conquest Music in Spring 2025.
Links: https://conquestmusic.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/MickeyJuppMusic