Fans of Mike Boguski’s solo work have been treated to hearing the Blue Rodeo keyboardist venture into a range of sounds from jazz fusion to experimental composition in recent years, and he’s continued to refine those recordings in an effort to provide both the best representation of his musical vision, and of what was captured on tape. That process continues for Boguski with new editions of the albums Here’s To Tomorrow/Goodbye To Yesterday and Blues For The Penitent, both of which will be available starting January 24 in physical and digital formats.

Here’s To Tomorrow/Goodbye To Yesterday consists of six pieces made with some of Toronto’s finest studio heads, including Terry Brown (Rush) and Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), along with jazz heavyweights Andy Ballantyne, Lorne Lofsky, Mike Downes and Ethan Ardelli. The updated version of Here’s To Tomorrow/Goodbye To Yesterday features new mixes done by Terry Brown that add more sonic textures, mostly as a result of Boguski rediscovering his love of the moog synthesizer which features heavily in the remix of the title track. Also included is the previously unreleased Highway 62 featuring Boguski’s Blue Rodeo bandmates Colin Cripps on guitar, and Glenn Milchem on drums.

Blues For The Penitent is an entirely different concept. Originally released in 2019, it is comprised of freely improvised, solo acoustic piano pieces, recorded in part to reconnect Boguski with the process of free improvisation, something he actually returned to study in university just prior to making the album with Michael Timmins. Although Blues For The Penitent received positive reviews when it was released, it got an unusual response from some listeners, which prompted Boguski to revisit it.

He says, For the original pressing of Blues For The Penitent, it was suggested that I cut it as a 12-inch LP but at 45 rpm. Unbeknownst to me, people were playing it at 33 rpm and kept telling me how great it was. When I told them it was supposed to be played at 45 rpm, [Blue Rodeo’s] Greg Keelor said he preferred it at the wrong speed. So, the late Peter J. Moore, ever the sonic genius that he was, managed to create a digital version of the 45 at 33 mix, so that track will now be included on the re-release in a revised, experimental format. As an homage to Peter and his restless creative zeal in the studio, I decided to play an improvised moog solo over a reverse tape loop of an excerpt of Peter’s original mix.

Taken together, Here’s To Tomorrow/Goodbye To Yesterday and Blues For The Penitent showcase Mike Boguski as one of Canada’s most accomplished and innovative musical minds. Always searching for new ways to evolve, his decision to approach these albums from a fresh perspective is sure to provide his audience with clues as to the new directions he will pursue next.