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Steven Seagal June 6, 2006 at 9:00PM Doors open 8:00:00 PM
STEVEN SEAGAL & THUNDERBOX
MOJO PRIEST
Mojo n (slang)
1. some powerful influence
2. an object believed to have magical powers, especially the power to keep away evil spirits
When martial arts expert Steven Seagal isn�t kicking some major ass on the big screen, the action movie star spends a lot of time creating music. An accomplished guitarist and songwriter, Seagal recently channeled blues-infused Beale Street to realize a long-held musical dream - recording a �real blues album� honoring the last of the living legends in Memphis.
Seagal called on legendary greats as synonymous with the blues as BBQ is to Memphis� infamous Rendezvous restaurant to join him in the studio. The long list of all-star musicians lending their seasoned talent to the sessions include Bo Diddley, Ruth Brown, James Cotton, Honeyboy Edwards, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Louisiana Red, Bob Margolin, Wilie Smith, Iverson Minter, Calvin Jones, Hubert Sumlin and Koko Taylor.
The result is the electrifying Mojo Priest. Recorded with his band, Thunderbox, and producer David Gest at the House of Blues and Sounds Unreel Studios in Memphis during the fall of 2005, the well-crafted 17-song set releases in the U.S. on May 23, 2006 on Seagal�s Nonsolo Blues label. A bonus DVD filmed at the recording sessions for the album will accompany. Mojo Priest was released to critical acclaim in Europe on April 3, 2006.
From the first notes of the simmering opener, �Somewhere In Between,� to the mellow jaunt of �Slow Boat To China� and lively duet with Bo Diddley on �Shake,� through the album�s final three tracks-�Lockwood,� �Homesick� and �Elmoe�-candidly recorded timepieces from guest bluesman during session rehearsals, Mojo Priest showcases the finest elements of the blues.
Spare, haunting arrangements and resonating vocals on such gems as �Dark Angel� are satisfyingly interspersed with Seagal�s high-octane, razor-sharp guitar work, such as the smoking solo on �BBQ� and griddle-hot takes on three blues standards: Muddy Waters� �Hoochie Coochie Man,� Elmore James� �Dust My Broom,� and Howlin� Wolf�s �(Little) Red Rooster.'
A 20-city U.S. tour supporting Mojo Priest will ensue in late May and June for Seagal and Thunderbox - a mighty powerful band of brothers: Norris Johnson (keyboards), Bernard Allison (slide guitar), Harold Smith (guitar), Edward �Hot� Cleveland (drums), Armand Sabal-Lecco (bass) and Angel Rogers (background vocals).
Recognized around the world as one of Hollywood�s leading action heroes, starring in and producing over 20 films, Seagal can dazzle and decimate with his patented self-defense moves. A former bodyguard with exceptional skills in Aikido, Karate, Judo and Kendo, Seagal studied Zen in Japan and was the first American to have opened a martial arts school in the Asian country. His film credits include the blockbuster hits �Above the Law� (1988), �Under Siege� (1992), �Executive Decision� (1996), �The Patriot� (1999), �Exit Wounds� (2001) and the recently completed �Submerged� and �Today You Die� (2005).
If you think Seagal is pretty good at defeating the bad guys on film, you should see him on guitar. While his enthusiasm for storytelling and over-the-top performances continues to bring his characters to life on screen, the seventh degree black belt Aikido master has been using his hands to play music long before he became an actor. His lifelong dedication to martial arts is rivaled only by his devotion to the guitar and the inspiring power of music.
A vintage guitar fanatic with one of the biggest collections in the world, Seagal grew up playing with blues musicians near his home in Detroit and has gone on to perform with such iconic players as B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Albert Collins, Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown and Willie �Pine Top� Perkins. Able to whip out the meanest, grittiest blues licks this side of Chicago or Memphis, Seagal�s accomplished musicianship sets him apart from his contemporaries in the acting world that have tried their hands at music.
Mojo Priest, the follow-up to his Songs From The Crystal Cave, a #1 seller in France, is a testament to his skill dedication and love of the blues.
'Blues is my real passion, and I've always wanted to do a blues record,� Seagal says. �I've had very close relationships with a lot of the great legends, many of whom I had the fortunate opportunity to play with.'
The actor admits he was a little overwhelmed with the people he was able to persuade to join him in the studio for the Mojo Priest sessions, which included members of Muddy Waters� legendary band. 'It has been an emotional, powerful experience,� Seagal says of the creation of Mojo Priest, �We had folks that were there, in my opinion, at the real beginning of the blues.'
But he regrets that some of his heroes died before he got the chance to work with them.
'Little Milton, Gatemouth Brown and RL Burnside were friends of mine and they were all scheduled to play on this record, but they all suddenly passed away. We lost three within a month. They will be missed.'
Tickets are $25.00 general admission.
Extremely limited table & chair seating.
All Ages.