The Boogieman & Soul Shine took the stage at Billy’s Lounge amongst apprehension and uncertainty. Front man Bryan “the Boogieman’ Fischer took note of every comment and well wishes extended to the Petoskey native as he and the band began setting up for the evening. Tonight would be the premier appearance of Soul Shine at the “downstate” club where Fischer once performed before capacity audiences with Mojo & the Boogieman. Many of the early arrivals were faithful followers of the previously established Northern Michigan band, who ruled the realm of R&B, blues and soul music in Michigan’s north country. Fischer reigned as Mojo and the Boogieman’s chancellor of sound with powerfully controlled vocals and a stylized precision that left first time listeners of the “mojo” sound speechless. After years of successful touring, recording and club engagements, the band dissolved early this year, leaving Fischer to ponder his musical fate. Wasting no time in putting together a new band, the Boogieman placed calls to Mojo alumni Bill Newland (drums) and Bob Wild (bass) in early January. Shortly after, news reached the partially formed band that a 19-year-old guitar phenom from Bay City, Michigan was looking for a blues-soul outfit to hook up with. Enter Drew Pentkowski, a gifted guitarist possessing fret board finesse, who also happened to be addiction-free of both wah-wah pedals and repetitive note bending. Donn Johnson, a recent member of the band and rhythm guitarist, provides a now solid rhythm backbone to the group.
Starting off their set with a drop-kick version of “Rock the House”, Soul Shine clearly delivered a statement to the lounge lizards that tonight Soul Shine would be “taking names and kicking ass”. Fischer’s original “She’s Mine” briefly cleared the high energy debris created by dozens of frenzied dancers, as he crooned a nice country-blues ballad inspired by his recent marriage to grand Rapids native Sophia (Boogiewoman). Ending the set with a Gene Vincent nugget “Shaking All Over”, Soul Shine concluded the first show amongst approving fist-pumping fans howling with elated satisfaction.
Soul Shine’s second and third sets were crafted in such a manner that would leave any club owner drooling; no early exit crowd, with plenty of late-night club-hoppers clambering at the front door to join the party, and the party at Billy’s was just getting started! By this time, Soul Shine had endeared themselves to the tireless throngs of demanding patrons with soulful blues that remain the hallmark staple of the Boogieman. There is a dynamic collusion between Fischer and young Drew Pentkowski that became evident as they launched into the Bill Withers classic “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone”. Starting with the intro, a naked solo of “Motherless Child” by Fischer, Drew took up the instrumental lead in with a Santana-like rev-up that underscored this young man’s skillful prowess. Pentkowski’s distinctive solos and lead-in treatments bear witness to the kind of diversity that sets the table fro a didactic exchange between he and Fischer. A union of this particular type offers a fresh and polished approach to often presented covers.
By evening’s end, exhausted dancers, along with bleary-eyed lounge regulars, were threatening to “mess up” the stage announcer if he didn’t allow Soul Shine to continue beyond the 1:30 AM curfew. Billy’s patrons love to party and, on that point, any band can provide the backdrop. But tonight, performance exceeds substance. Qualitative vocals, expansive repertoire, coupled with creative arranging, delivered the evening’s audience into a collevctive soul nirvana. The Boogiman, soaked in sweat and huffing his last refrain, smiled approvingly at the acceptance shown by the evening’s crowd. Like a Pudge Rodriguez bobblehead doll, he nods in approval to the adoring crowd as he motions to Billy’s stage announcer “yeah, can’t wait to get back in May, I think they liked us.”
Felix Yabarra - West Michigan Blues Society Newsletter (May, 2007)