The Mojo Live EP

Mojo Magazine very kindly designated War Child as the official charity for their annual 2007 Mojo Honours Awards. But the good people Mojo had something else up their sleeve. Before the Awards, they put on an intimate show at London's weeny Barfly featuring Nick and Roy Harper. 'Listen,' they said. 'We do this quite a bit. How about we put together an EP of live tracks from our favourite shows and sell it on War Child Music?'

So here it is. The Mojo Live EP. The tracks are all exclusive to War Child Music it costs a mere £3.50 of which £2.70 goes directly towards War Child's work with children affected by war.

So who we got then?

Vincent Vincent And The Villains ‘Rain Fall Down'

The one-band rock 'n' roll revival, as you'd expect from a band whose latest video looks like an outtake from 'Grease'. The word unique is bandied around far to freely these days, this lot really are imagine calypso, rockabilly and doo wop updated for the 21st century and you're in their ballpark. The tunemongering on show is utterly infectious and will have you do the jitterbug even if you have no idea what it is.

For more Vincent Vincent And The Villians
Download 'Rain Fall Down'

Guillemots 'Sao Paolo'

You'd hazard there's not many artists who've featured on 'Top Of The Pops' and can also to be found playing improvised, jazz-induced sets in dingy pubs in London's East End. Say hello then to the musically flexible Guillemots. A'cappella big beat pop says their MySapce profile and who are we to argue? Organs, double bass and saxophone all vie for attention alongside the magnificently named Fyfe Dangerfield's poetic vocals. By turns hauntingly ethereal and unapologetically pop, their music will have you captivated.

For more Guillemots
Download Sao Paulo

Willard Grant Conspiracy 'From a Distant Shore'

If you've not done so already, please make a little space in your life for beautiful folk musings of the Willard Grant Conspiracy. Over the years, frontman Robert Fisher has put together a dream team of musicians to play on rotation in the studio and on stage, kind of like a So Solid Crew of folk, kind of. But it's Fisher's vocal talents that really steal the show - his gravelly Massachusetts drawl has drawn comparisons with Nick Cave and in our book that’s as close to a guarantee of quality as you’d want, really.

For more WGC
Download From a Distant Shore

The Young Knives 'Mystic Energy'

And so we come to the immaculately dressed Young Knives. Fresh from the musical hotbed that is Ashby-de-la-Zouch, these guys are going to have you shaking like a loon with their pop punk silliness. With lyrics like 'You were screaming at your mum and I was punching your dad', it's hard not to get caught up in the fun. Best not take them home for dinner though.

For more Young Knives
Download 'Mystic Energy'

Roy Harper 'When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease'

Roy Harper is the elder statesman of our EP and one of the finest folk musicians of his generation to boot.

His pedigree speaks for itself. He has continued to tackle difficult and often controversial subject matter during a career that has spanned five decades, 20 studio albums and countless collaborations with artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney and Kate Bush.

For those who weren't lucky enough to be at the gig this is a rare opportunity to get hold of a live track from this legendary musician. Need we say more?

For more Roy Harper
Download When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease’

Nick Harper 'Blood Song'

Last, but by no means least comes Roy's equally talented son Nick, who has built a cult following thanks to his abilities as both a musician and wordsmith. Like his father, he tackles the big issues (war, terrorism, poverty, corruption if it’s bad he’s written about it), but his intelligence and acerbic wit set him apart from the many others who have jumped on these bandwagons. Don’t miss this corker.

For more Nick Harper
Download Blood Song’

You can read all about The Mojo Honours List Awards and hear the acceptance speeches podcast on the Mojo website.

For more Mojo
Download 'The Mojo Live EP'