The Blooze Brothers April 11th concert at Theatre at the Center was a blast! I can’t remember when I had more fun at a concert. The Blooze Mobile was parked out front, the bar was open and the band was ROCKING!
Although The Blooze Brothers is a tribute to the iconic characters created by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, it’s actually a fabulous stage show. Kimberly “Hot Sauce” Johnson joins Joliet Jake (Norm Boucher) and Elwood (Chuck Little) Blooze on vocals, backed up by an 8-piece band, including a horn section, fronted by “Brother” John Kattke on Keyboards.
By the way, if you thought Norm Boucher was someone you recognized, you were probably right. He was cast in several comedies at Theatre at the Center.
The Blooze Brothers play everything from Sweet Home Chicago to Mustang Sally to Shout. While Jake and Elwood entertain with funny patter between songs, they can also sing – and they do. Then there’s Kimberly “Hot Sauce” Johnson who can belt out an Aretha Franklin tune better than almost anyone I’ve ever heard.
The evening’s set list included a medley from the 2000 Blues Brothers movie: Peter Gunn theme; Everybody Needs Somebody; Gimme some Lovin’; Rawhide; Stand by Your Man; and Respect. They encouraged people to stand up and dance to Mustang Sally; Car Wash; What’d I Say; Proud Mary and Land of 1000 Dances.
After an intermission, they did a medley of songs by Chicago bands: I Want You to Want Me, September, Vehicle, Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is, Beginnings and 25 or 6 to 4. They even did a Motown medley.
The Blooze Brothers band includes Elwood Blooze (Chuck Little), Joliet Jake Blooze (Norm Boucher), Kimberly “Hot Sauce” Johnson with lead Vocals, “Brother” John Kattke on Keyboards, Guitar and Vocals, Jay Olaszek on Bass Guitar, Rob McDougle on Guitar, Danya Thompson on Drums; Brian “Finnball” Finn on Trumpet, Kevin Cline on Trombone, “Southside” Jimmy Mets on Saxophones and Andy Blanco on Tenor Saxophone.
For more about The Blues Brothers, visit www.bloozebrothers.com They’ll be performing around the Chicago area.