Track Listing

1. Somewhere in Between
2. Love Doctor
3. Dark Angel
4. Gunfire in a Juke Joint
5. My Time Is Numbered
6. Alligator Ass
7. BBQ
8. Hoochie Koochie Man
9. Talk to My Ass
10. Dust My Broom
11. Slow Boat to China
12. She Dat Pretty
13. Red Rooster
14. Shake
15. Elmoe

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #130442 in Music
• Released on: 2006-05-23
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Yes, that Steven Seagal. As he slowly ages out of his strong-silent-type action-hero roles, the actor--long a fan, and friend to many blues legends--flexes his musical muscles on this sophomore release. While the results are mixed--neither Seagal's whispery/raspy vocals or hotshot guitar solos are particularly memorable--Mojo Priest is still a more professional album than many detractors would expect. While someone should advise Seagal that hoary classics such as "Little Red Rooster," "Hoochie Coochie Man," and "Dust My Broom" don't really need yet another cover, his performances are enthusiastic if not exactly groundbreaking. Certainly cameos from legends Ruth Brown and Bo Diddley, as well as former members of Muddy Waters' band, raise the bar and add credibility. Lovers of deep blues won't find much of interest here, but for those attracted by Seagal's box-office clout who may not have heard standard-issue fast shuffles ("BBQ"), funky R&B ("Love Doctor"), slow blues ("Slow Boat to China"), or New Orleans second-line rhythms ("Talk to My Ass") performed by more established acts, this is a reasonable introduction. (Even if the occasional female backing vocals sound like an afterthought added for sweetening, and the Bo Diddley rip is exactly that, even with the man himself showing up.) Ultimately it's heartening when any high-profile celebrity brings much-needed attention to a genre as overlooked as blues, which--the Blues Brothers and Bruce Willis notwithstanding--isn't often. Those whose first taste of the art form is via Mojo Priest are encouraged to dig deeper and discover the rich history of a genre of which Seagal just scratches the surface on this well-intentioned star vehicle. --Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews

Bluesmaster
One of the best blues I've heard in a long time. It is very powerful and soft at the same time. It is much feeling in it. More of that kind of music, thank you.
Regards.
Lars

Pleasantly surprised, and enjoyed this CD a lot!
I don't know why several reviewers have totally panned this CD, but hey, it ain't bad, and I was quite surprised at how good it actually was, not having previously known that Seagal wasn't just the action movie genre's resident chopper. Suppose it depends on the age of the listener also, re: some of the reviews are just plain silly guys, sounds like a 10 year old wrote them. I've enjoyed the CD for entertainment, believe me, I've heard a lot worse. Love most of the instrumentals, though the guitar licks on a few tracks are a little too amplified, also the background singers come across loud on a few. If you've ever sat in a New Orleans bar and listened to some jam sessions, this is what a lot of the CD reminds me of. Not totally professional, but a bunch of guys playing their hearts out because they just love to jam. I've always loved Ruth Brown, and the lady still has it. I've listened to Dust My Broom so many times on the way to work in the morning, who cares about the technicalities, it rocks me, and I love this one especially. All told, I really love this CD.

Seagal proves a surprisingly agile player on sophomore effort
While Steven Seagal's first album, "Songs From the Crystal Cave," was more of an international pop music affair, his latest disc "Mojo Priest" finds him delving into his true passion, blues. I always knew he liked guitars and the blues, but a recent magazine article detailing his extensive collection of vintage instruments really opened my eyes about his knowledge of and dedication to music. Steve shreds a mean axe on this album, with guests like Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, and Bo Diddley.

I was hoping for something rooted more in traditional blues but the reality is that this is more akin to a night out at an electric show somewhere like the House of Blues. There's organ, piano, and plenty of party packed into this record. It's entertaining enough -- I was never bored -- but I must say the backup singers felt like they were distracting from his music instead of adding to it. Perhaps less is more in future endeavors? Ultimately though, it's a pretty good album if you're into electric blues and it's grown on me after multiple listens. I've seen about 95% of Mr. Seagal's film canon and after hearing him sing and play on this album, I humbly suggest that he think about putting his acting to bed for awhile. His heart doesn't seem to be in it anymore and his vocals on "Mojo Priest" are miles clearer than his recent marble-mouthed movie dialogue.

Notes:

-"My Time Is Numbered" is a good acoustic slide number.
-Tina M's vocals on "BBQ" are a bit overwrought but the second half of the track features Seagal really laying into the guitar something fierce!
-"Hoochie Koochie Man" is a classic harmonica blues number with the great James Cotton
-Great to hear Bo Diddley's vocals on "Shake". Surprisingly enough, Seagal more than holds his own in this entertaining duet. Or perhaps it isn't so surprising, since I understand Steven studied at the feet of some of Chicago's great bluesmen when he was younger.
-Two songs have "ass" in the title. Coincidence or something more? You be the judge!