'Hard Times' have been around since the first rock wheel crumbled on the way to the tar pits, and thank heaven we have them. If it weren't for 'hard times', we'd never have had a 'birth of the blues'. What better way to channel our agonies than through a swell of music, rich in sadness and earthy in rhythm; making it impossible to stay blue for long.

'The HooDoo Man', Jesse Moore, knows this. He's made it his mission in life to stomp out the bad feelings while stepping up the beat. Bringing his own spiritual concept to his music, a 'musician friendly' sound of New Orleans R&B, with heady roots in Afri can and Latin ritual, he feels his cause is to lead his audience to musical bliss. "I try not to lay any trips on anyone", he says. "I see them dance. Maybe my healing is in my music; giving these folks a moment in time where there is no care or pain".

Moore describes his music as 'non-political', leaving the job of musical rallying for a cause to others. There's enough time to ponder the worries of the world; somebody has to just lay on the sound and strike up the free notes. This is where Moore steps in.

Moore began his career at the age of 12, as a staff demo singer in the Brill Building, NYC. At 13, he won The Apollo Theatre Talent Night. His idol was Smokey Robinson, and his goal to audition for Mo-town. One night, opportunity struck, when he was invited backstage to play for Marvin Gaye; but his greatest compliment proved to be his ultimate defeat, when Gaye told him, 'Sorry kid; you sound too much like me.'

After years of acting in film and television, both in the US and abroad, Moore decided to return to his first love, music, and never looked back. Settling in the Hudson Valley, where he says "There is a phenomenal number of great musicians," Moore set about to tone his style, while delivering his special brand of magic to needy crowds. It's impossible to stay seated when Moore takes the stage with his 'Sweet Magnolia Band', consisting of Frank Campbell on bass, Lenny Haden on guitar, 'Little Sammy Davis' on harmonica, Paul Duffy on keyboard and Kitt Potter and Christine Martinez on background vocals.

Delivering renditions of all time greats from Muddy Waters, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers and Bonnie Raitt, his repertoire isn't confined to blues classics; 'The HooDoo Man's' originals stirring a rapid response with such songs as 'You're Not My Baby' and, of course, 'HooDoo Man'. He thrums ajoy into his music that sends a message of emotional release; an incredible merging of sensuality, spirituality and childish abandon, done to perfection in 'Teenie Weenie Woman', where his sense of humor shines like a jar of fireflies.

One could get lost in this happiness. And that is precisely what he's set out to do. '1 want them to have an altered state of consciousness', says Moore, seeking to transport his listener's souls to higher ground, hap- pier moments, sweeter rhythms.

This is his magic, derived from 'Congo Square', in New Orleans' French Market; home of West African-Caribbean Voodoo ritual and the launching point of such classics as 'Jelly Roll' Martin, Little Richard and 'Fats' Domino. Moore has touched his roots, and come away delivering a spiritual message that once heard, can't be denied.

But Moore's sensitivity for the inner need of others doesn't stop there. He is co-founder and business manager of Catskill Animal Sanctuary, 120 acres of land in Saugerties, devoted to providing shelter and rehabilitation to mistreated and unwanted farm animals. 'There is a great need for this,' says Moore, who claims the success rate of finding caring homes for these animals is much batter than expected. 'We adopted out a 2400 pound 'Clydesdale-type' horse', says Moore, who claims these animals respond to 'hands-on treatment and love.' Adoption is a meticulous thing; Moore striving to match animals with the families to which they will be most suited and where they will continue to receive the love he has shown them.

An Annual Shindig, to create public awareness, acquaint people with potential adoptive animals and raise funds for the sanctuary, will be held October 12. Anyone interested may obtain further information by calling 845-626-4006. Naturally, by keeping to musical form, Cousin Brucie of WCBS, NY, will act as spokesperson for the event.

So it seems, 'The HooDoo Man' has a full heart to accompany his full musical expression. Moore's CD 'The HooDoo Man and his Sweet Magnolia Band', may be purchased online at his website, www.thehoo dooman.com, where a sampling of his magic may also be found in Real Audio, or by writing him at P. 0. Box 727 Kerhonkson NY 12446. Be kind to yourself Indulge in the magic.