Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors

Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors
EllerSoul Records

Talking about the Blues Warriors, Mark Wenner observes, “This band is actually a blues band,” says Wenner, addressing comparisons to the ‘Hawks. “The Nighthawks are a blues and roots-rock band. This band, with upright bass, is more authentic, old school and swinging. It’s closer to the Cash Box Kings than J. Geils; a whole different animal.” Having seen some of the Blues Warriors early performances at JV's, the Falls Church, Virginia local roadhouse, I am pleased to see this eponymously titled recording document the band. Joining Wenner on harmonica and vocals are fellow Nighthawks mate Mark Stutso (drums, vocals), Clarence “The Bluesman” Turner (guitar, vocals), Zach Sweeney (guitar) and Steve Wolf (upright bass). Turner is a popular performer on the DC blues and music scene (He wonder the DC Blues Society's Battle of Bands several years ago), while Wolf has played with so many blues and roots performers including Danny Gatton, Tom Principato and most recently with Memphis Gold, and like Wenner, I remember Zach Sweeney when he was too young to play blues jams without his parents. He recently returned to the area after some serious road experience with Wayne Hancock.

Musically there will be little to surprise the listener with the 12 performances, only one of which is an original. These are solid performances starting off with Turner's revival of Muddy Waters' "Diamonds at Your Feet." This is one of several fine vocals by Turner which also include a lesser known Big Joe Turner recording "Rock a While"; Muddy Waters' "Just to Be with You" and Elmore James' "Dust My Broom." Wenner's harp and the piano-less quintet provide a different feel to these especially on the Joe Turner and Elmore James numbers (with Wenner's harmonica dominating the backing on the latter number)..

Wenner is strong in reviving Elvis' "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear," as a blues as well as his rendition of "Checkin' On My Baby" which owes more to Junior Wells than Sonny Boy Williamson. Among Wenner's other vocals is a straight reading of Slim Harpo's "King Bee," a stomping swamp blues rendition of the Fats Domino "Hello Josephine," and an instrumental Jimmy Reed tribute, "Just For Jimmy." Mark Stutso, who is highly underrated as a singer does a superb take on B.B. King's "It's My Own Fault." There is a fine take of "The Hucklebuck" that showcases Sweeney's impressive, jazz-laced single note runs along with a fine Steve Wolf bass solo. Sweeney also impresses on his solo on "Rock A While."

While several of these performances are modeled after the source recordings, Wenner's harp and the lack of piano provide a fresh take on several numbers including "Teddy Bear," "Rock A While," and "Dust My Broom." As previously stated, these are solid performances, played with much conviction and result in a very entertaining recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review has appeared in the July-August 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 379). Here they are seen performing "The Hucklebuck," at their regular performance at JV's in Falls Church, Virginia.

A Few Blues Shows Coming to DC of Note

Photo © Ron Weinstock

Jody Williams, pictured above at the 2007 Pocono Blues Festival, is one of the treasures of real deal blues artists who are still with us. A member of Bo Diddley's Band for a period, as well as making some pioneering recordings, we are fortunate that he resumed playing after several decades away from music in part because of the bitterness relating the song Love Is Strange. He has two truly wonderful blues albums out on Evidence that blues fans need to own. Anyway Jody is part of a tour, Blues At The Crossroads II: Muddy & The Wolf which also will include the Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson, Tinsley Ellis, James Cotton and Bob Margolin. It is at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Monday February 18. Visit www.birchmere.com for more information.

Memphis Gold and Charlie Sayles will each be performing at JVs this week. Photo © Ron Weinstock

JV's in Annandale, Virginia is celebrating its anniversary and has some great shows this week. Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 12, Charlie Sayles will be leading a band with Clarence 'The Bluesman' Turner on guitar while on Wednesday, February 13, Memphis Gold will have a special show with some special guests including keyboards and saxophone. Friday, February 15 The Mac Arnold Band will be appearing. Mac Arnold is a former bass player who worked with John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters while on Sunday, February 17, the early afternoon show will be a great group including Big Joe Maher, Marty Baumann and Bill Heid. Catfish Hodge  will be coming to JVs on Saturday March 2.

Incidentally, Memphis Gold is at the Westminster Presbyterian Church (401 I Street SW, Washington DC), as part of its Blue Monday series tonight, February 11, and next Monday (February 18), Little Royal will perform. There is a shuttle from the Waterfront Metro stop.

Dr. S.O. Feelgood and Chick Willis Highlights of Lamont's Blues Fest

Chick Willis takes to the crowd at Lamont's

It was a nice day of downhome blues, Saturday May 19 at Lamont’s for a Blues Festival in PoMonkey MD. Featuring mostly Washington DC area performers along with the Stoop Down day, a few hundreds came out to the picnic grounds and Entertainment Complex.

Chet Hines aka Dr. S.O. Feelgood

The day started with the Lady Rose Band. Lady Rose is a good singer and her band is tight although the guitarist sounded a bit heavy handed at times. Also, the material was mostly covers with a fair amount of funk and soul and less focus on blues. Chet Hines aka Dr. S.O. Feelgood was up next with one of the highlights of the day. With a tight trio of backing musicians, Dr. S.O. Feelgood encouraged the crowd to party while he sang about his preference for full figured women with meat on their bones singing. He brings so much personality and interacts with the crowd so well and at one point sang his heart out withour a microphone.

Jim Bennett

Members of Clarence ‘Bluesmen’ Turner Band were late, so to help pass the time, Jim Bennett, a local southern soul performer of note did a couple of numbers including a blues. Bennett is a smooth, expressive singer in the vein of a Jerry Butler. After a further delay Clarence ‘The Bluesman’ Turner and turned a lengthy set (which pushed back the starting time for two headliners) that included a nice rendition of Little Johnny Taylor’s “Everybody Knows About My Good Thing,” as well as some blues warhorses like “Sweet Home Chicago.”

Chick Willis

Next up was Chick Willis, backed by Bobby Parker’s rhythm section. Opening up with his “Rib Shack,” it was a set of songs that might be familiar from Chick’s fans, but performed with feeling and panache as he went out into the audience a couple times, before performing his classic “Stoop Down Baby” to the audience’s delight. Bobby Parker came on shortly after “Stoop Down,” bring up the rest of his band, opening with a solid rendition of Guitar Slim’s “(You Give Me) Nothin’ But the Blues,” and some Albert King numbers that sounded as solid as eve. Dusk was approaching, so we left before Bobby’s set ended. Afterwards, there was an after-party inside with the soul-funk Gridlock Band.

Bobby Parker

It was a gorgeous day of weather for the music. Lamont’s will be celebrating its 22nd year on June 9 with a soulful revue that includes Eddie Levert, lead singer of The O’Jays; Frank Washington, lead singer of The Spinners; The Hardway Connection, previous winners of the International Blues Challenge and other groups. The Dc Blues Society will be presenting a day of blues at Lamont’s July 21 with the Daddy Mack Blues Band and Preston Shannon headlining.

Dancing to the Stoop Down man, Chick Willis

Memphis Gold Benefit Big Success

I missed seeing Memphis Gold on Tuesday as I ran in Charlie Sayles on my way home on the Metro (Washington's subway). We stopped at his place, but he seemed out. I spoke to him Thursday and he is doing well, still a long way to go as far as recuperation, but playing and writing music. In fact he played for the staff at the Rehab facility in Baltimore he was at prior to being sent back to his home in Arlington VA.

The DC Blues Society's Benefit for Memphis Gold last weekend was a great success, with the Surf Club being as full as I ever saw it and (I understand) over $2000 raised for Memphis Gold. Was a great night of music and Memphis had the music video'd. There was some terrific music by the likes of Bobby Parker, the Hardway Connection, Charlie Sayles with the Memphis Gold Band, Mike Westcott, Clarence 'The Bluesman Turner with Stacy Brooks and much more. Memphis told me he was really impressed by Mike Westcott and Blues on Board (pictured) who he had not seen before. Anyway I will try to see him this weekend and will post about another benefit to be held in Baltimore this week.