Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Established 1972 , by The Nighthawks and it's a solid rocker. Washington D.C.'s legendary blues rockers have released a new album and they haven't lost a step. Opening with rocker, Nobody , Mark Wenner is upfront on harmonica and lead vocal, backed by Dan Hovey on guitar, Mark Stutso on drums and Paul Posciotta on bass. With it's driving rhythm and take no prisoners feel, this is a strong opener. Boogie track, Coming and Going , not only has a great rhythm but the concept line is great and Hovey's guitar lead is hot. Wenner lays in some real nice blues riffs on harmonica making this one of my favorites on the release. Ask Me Nice has a really bluesy feel with trademark harp tones and phrasing by Wenner and an overall slinky vibe. Funky, Gas Station Chicken , has a great bass line by Pisciotta and fine vocals punched up by Wenner on harmonica and some flashy guitar work by Hovey. Very cool. Wrapping the...

I Just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tryin' To Get To You , from The Nighthawks and it's energy packed. Opening with Come Love , the Nighthawks have a new lead guitar player, Dan Hovey who also covers lead vocals. With Mark Wenner on lead vocal and harmonica, Mark Stutso on drums and lead vocal and Paul Pisciotta on bass and vocal, these guys can harmonize. I Know Your Wig Is Gone has a real nice shuffle pace with lead vocal by Hovey and giving both Wenner and Hovey a nice opportunity to show their skills. Very nice. Rain Down tears is one of my favorite tracks on the release with it dark easy pace and solid vocals by the crew. The guys vocal blending is strong and Wenner and Hovey each take fluid solos adding to the tension. Very nice. Chairman of the Board is a cool blues rocker with a drone bass line (we all love them) and alternating guitar and harmonica soloing and some of my favorite lead vocals on the release by Stutso . Wrapping the relea...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, All You Gotta Do , from The Nighthawks legendary blues & roots band and it's quite good. Opening with Jerry Reed's power rocker and title track, That's All You Gotta Do , the band is humming right from the start with Mark Wenner on harp, Paul Bell on guitar, Johnny Castle on bass and Mark Stutso on drums. Hot! On Willie Dixon's, Baby, I Want To Be Loved , the band really has the spirit of Dixon's blues and Wenner's riffs are crisp and smoky. On Randy Newman's Let's Burn Down The Cornfield the band explores the darkness of the blues with super slide work by Bell, nice harp by Wenner and super vocals over a well paced blues rocker. On Sonny Williamson's shuffle track, Ninety Nine , it's all Wenner who really does a nice job of working the harp. Excellent. On original soul track, Three Times A Fool , the band digs deeply into the groove with hot vocals and cool reverb soaked gui...

Blues Music Award-Winning Band, The Nighthawks, Display Their Versatility on New CD, All You Gotta Do , Coming July 21 on EllerSoul Records WASHINGTON, DC – Legendary blues and roots band (and Blues Music Award winners) The Nighthawks, announce a July 21 release date for their new CD, All You Gotta Do . The band is also enjoying critical acclaim for Michael Streissguth’s award-winning documentary film about their history, The Nighthawks – On the Blue Highway , which is now available on DVD from the group’s website, as well as Amazon.com. The film will also be screened prior to the ‘Hawks’ June 30 performance at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson in Baltimore.       Eclectic? All over the map? The material on All You Gotta Do , The Nighthawks’ latest release, can certainly be described in these terms. Yet, throughout the nearly five decades of its career, the band has sourced songs from everywhere and anywhere. The prototype recording, Roc...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Full Circle , from Rev. Billy C. Wirtz and it's a blast. Opening with a Rock n Roller, Too Old , Wirtz takes the lead on piano and vocal with great flair. Joined by Mark Wenner on smoking harp, Mark Stutso on drums, Johnny Castle on bass, and with Paul Bell ripping some hot riffs, this is a great opener. On Smokie, Part 2 , a swinging boogie, Wirtz and Bob Driver on guitar lays down some really nice instrumental lines. One Point Five is a clever track about not being number one in someone's life but the alternatives that aren't all bad. With it's country flavor and some cool country riffs, this is funny. With it's stripped down piano accompaniment, Mama Was A Deadhead , Wirtz tells a clever story of the live of Dead fan's children. Another rock n roller, Rockin' Up To Gloryland has a great feel with a tight bottom and cool lead soloing by Bell and Wenner. With it's somber, ballad pace, ...

I just received the newest release, Back Porch Party , from The Nighthawks and I really like it. Recorded live at Montrose Studio in Richmond Virginia, this release keeps the volume nice and easy but the enthusiasm is high. Opening with Rock This House , Mark Wenner has got the harp cooking and, Wenner, Paul Bell (guitar), Johnny Castle (bass) and Mark Stutso (drums) harmonize nicely on vocals. Bell tosses in his own jazz filled riffs on guitar for a nice topper. Hot start! On W alkin' After Midnight , The Nighthawks get a easy pace, Wenner taking center stage on vocal and harp. Down In The Hole has a Latin rhythm with Bell emphasizing the tempo. The band breaks into a smooth shuffle and Wenner carries a nice harp solo throughout. Ike Turner's Matchbox is up next with a R&B swing. I really like Wenner's harp solo on this track which almost takes off. Bell gets a cool swing going on guitar as well with some dynamic chords. Super! Willie Dixon's Tiger In Your Tan...

I just received the newest release (June 17, 2014), 444 , from the Nighthawks and it's a lot of fun. Opening with the Du Droppers' Walk That Walk , the Nighthawks are really swinging with really nicely blended vocal harmonies and super harp work from Mark Wenner. On Livin' the Blues , a traditional 12 bar with a casual lope to it, vocal harmonies are again a key part of the track. Wenner again lays down some nice harp riffs joined by Paul Bell on vocal and guitar, Johnny Castle on bass and vocal and Mark Stutso on drums and vocal. Title track 444 A.M. is a real rocker with flaming guitar riffs from Bell pulling out some really cool rockin solos. You're gone has a twist of country and a radio style arrangement. Honky Tonk Queen continues along with a country flavor and an even stronger radio presence. Got A Lot of Livin' has strong Rockabilly roots with cooking bass work by Castle and crisp riffs from Bell. Authentic roots style vocals punctuate the track. Cr...

I just got the new Nighthawks release called Damn Good Time and that's exactly what it is. This recording will be released on May 15 by Severn Records fresh off of their first ever Blues Music Award from the Blues Foundation as Acoustic Blues Album of the Year in 2011. The recording opens with Too Much, a classic loping blues tune which demonstrates why the Nighthawks have been around for such a long time with their tight band, vocal harmonies and cool harp work. Who You're Working For is a rockin' tune with straight crankin' solos from Paul Bell on Guitar and Mark Wenner on Harp. Bring Your Sister is a real rocker with great harp tones and and the vocal harmonies that you have come to expect from the band. Minimum Wage , a thought provoking song, turns into a pretty cool swing jam with laid back soloing from Bell and Wenner. Georgia Slop is sure to get everyone bopping around. Night Work , another loping blues slinger has a cool feel to it and the ever present pun...

THE NIGHTHAWKS LEADER, MARK WENNER, UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL HEART BYPASS SURGERY & EXPECTED TO MAKE A COMPLETE RECOVERY BAND POSTPONES A SERIES OF DATES FOR NEXT SIX WEEKS, BUT NIGHTHAWKS EXPECTED BACK OUT ON THE ROAD END OF MAY WASHINGTON, DC – Seminal American roots music band The Nighthawks have announced that their founding leader, Mark Wenner, has undergone successful heart bypass surgery and is expected to make a complete recovery. Because of the operation, Mark will stay off the road for approximately six weeks while he recovers, and the band has postponed the affected dates. The Nighthawks are expected to resume touring the end of May or early June. Mark Wenner’s condition was diagnosed on Monday, April 9 when he went in for an angiogram/angioplasty and doctors discovered he needed the bypass operation, which was done the following day. Because they caught it early, the doctors feel very confident that his prognosis for a full recovery is excellent. ...

TOUR DATES INCLUDE SPECIAL SHOWS WITH THE LEGENDARY TRACY NELSON ANNAPOLIS , MD – Severn Records announces the signing of seminal American roots music band The Nighthawks, who’ve already recorded their first album for the label, with an expected release date in the first quarter of 2012. The two Washington, DC-area based entities unite at a very special time in their history. Severn Records was just announced as the recipient of the 2012 Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Record Label from the Blues Foundation; and The Nighthawks are coming off their first-ever Blues Music Award (also from the Blues Foundation) -  Acoustic Blues Album of the Year - for their Last Train to Bluesville CD, presented in Memphis this past May. The Nighthawks are: Mark Wenner - vocals, harmonica; Johnny Castle - vocals, bass; Paul Bell – guitar; and Mark Stutso - drums, vocals . Always known as one of the hardest working bands in the business, The Nighthawks continue to tour extensiv...