Label: Mojo & The Boogieman
Blues
High-energy rockin' blues by Northern Michigan's top blues band. Soulful, hard-hitting blues that doesn't just lay there and sweat. A must for any blues fan that likes it up-beat, and ready to party.
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In 1999, Northern Michigan's top blues-rock band, Mojo & the Boogieman, released their debut CD, Keep It In Your Soul. Mojo had been around for some nine years at the time, thrilling audiences with their particular brand of high-energy blues. This same act (with a few line-up changes) is still hammering away at the Michigan blues scene today.
Keep It In Your Soul is a mix of Texas and Chicago blues, funk, soul, and a little bit of rock n roll thrown in generously for seasoning. The Mojo-penned, "I'd Never Be The Same Without You" is a soul/blues ballad that spent 6 months in heavy rotation on Northern Michigan radio, and is still a fan favorite. The opening track, "Gypsy Blues," is a hard drivin' ode to life on the road and the wanderlust many musician's feel. "Mean Lovin' Woman" is funk-edged blues sure to get folks up and movin'. "Voodoo," the band's first composition, is a wonderful tip of the hat to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, with SRV's signature "Thunder Shuffle" moving the beat along. "Precious Time," a nice tongue-in cheek blues about an indecisive woman, has a fresh, new turn on the standard blues patterns. Inspired by BB King's "Sweet Little Angel," Mojo created their own musings on heaven-sent love, called "Angel Blues." The two covers on the album show off the band's diversity. Sir Mack Rice's classic, "Mustang Sally," is given a reverent treatment, while Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit In The Sky" is done up as if Jimi Hendrix were playing with a Southern Baptist gospel choir. The closer of this set is the Hootie and the Blowfish-esque composition, "Get This Way."
The band is Jon Archambault (pronounced: ar-SHAM-bo) on guitar, Bryan "the Boogieman" Fischer providing the vocals, Gary Dannecker on bass, Jenny Harrison beating the drums, and Bruce King on keyboards and blowing harmonica on "Voodoo," "Gypsy Blues" and "Precious Time." Additional harp work was provided by Charlie Witthoeft (who replaced King in early-2000). The tasty sax on "Mean Lovin' Woman" and "Mustang Sally" was courtesy of Leo Dombecki (now touring with Ike Turner).
Keep It In Your Soul is sure to please any blues fan looking for blues with a rock edge, but not a rock band trying to play blues.
From CD Baby.
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Mojo & the Boogieman is a five-piece powerhouse blues band from Northern Michigan. Their unique blend of blues and rock n roll caught the attention of everyone at the 2003 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Of the more than 60 bands from around the world, Mojo & the Boogieman placed in the top eight, and was the people’s choice as well. To get to Memphis, Mojo & the Boogieman beat out four of Detroit’s top blues bands in the first annual Detroit Blues Challenge, held in November of 2002. Mojo & the Boogieman has been a constant fixture on the Northern Michigan music scene since late-1990. In that time, they have built a loyal following by playing anyplace that would have them, and leaving their audiences awestruck by their explosive, over-the-top performances. They are known all over the Northern Michigan area as a big-draw, good-time-had-by-all band that never leaves its audience wanting. Because of this, they have the honor of being voted “Best Blues Band in Northern Michigan,” for the years 2002-2004, by the readers of The Northern Express magazine. Mojo & the Boogieman brings the energy and attitude of rock n roll to the soul and passion of the blues to create a fiery, expressive sound. Taking their cue from contemporary blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tommy Castro, Guy Forsyth, and Corey Harris, they have found their own voice in the high-energy blues form. Not being from one of the “blues mecca’s” such as Chicago or Texas, Mojo & the Boogieman has had an opportunity to develop a style all its own, invoking aspects of all the blues forms out there along with one of Michigan’s greatest musical exports: rock n roll. They can burn a slow blues, or shake the house with an SRV-style “thunder shuffle,” or pack the dance floor with an up-tempo swing tune. Each show is a celebration of life, love and music that is sure to put the shake in your money-maker, the groove in your move, and the beat to your feet. With a fresh, new sound, regional success, and an ever-growing fan base, Mojo & the Boogieman is now setting their sites on letting the world in on Northern Michigan’s best-kept secret. Big City Blues Magazine says; “Mojo & the Boogieman has definitely got their mojo workin’.” Let them work it on you!
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Bryan Fischer- Lead Vocals,
AJ Witthoeft- Bass,
Charlie Witthoeft- Harmonica,
Bill Newland: Drums,
Jon Archambault- Lead Guitar
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01. Gypsy Blues (3:48)
02. Come Home Baby (4:34)
03. Mean Lovin' Woman (3:18)
04. I'd Never Be The Same Without You (4:53)
05. Voodoo (3:44)
06. Spirit In the Sky (7:11)
07. Pourin' Rain (8:01)
08. Angel Blues (5:29)
09. Precious Time (3:54)
10. Mustang Sally (6:45)
11. Get This Way (5:12)
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