Transplanted Brit Jon Cleary has proved himself totally fluent in New Orleans as a second language, channeling legends like Booker and Longhair with ease and relish in rollicking live shows around town. Finally, he's released a live album that captures some of that unfettered groove, although it was not recorded at Tip's or on Frenchmen Street " weirdly, it was put on tape in Australia. But even if the audience hoot-and-holler isn't authentically Abita-fueled, Mo Hippa (released on his own FHQ label) brings authentic Crescent City stomp and boogie-woogie to a performance that passes easily for a sweaty after-midnight set in the Crescent City. He hits up some stone classics, like Fess' own 'Go to the Mardi Gras," the Meters' 'People Say" and King Floyd's unmistakable slice of funk sunshine 'Groove Me." Cleary generally hits a good balance between faithfulness to icons and his own personality to keep it interesting. He is a loose, fun-time rocker with a solid relationship with his band, and the groove is organic and relaxed, not studied. That comes through best on originals like the slinky creeper 'Port St. Blues" and the Caribbean-inflected title track, proving that the tradition of original piano professors in New Orleans is alive and well.