The Nighthawks - Hot Spot 1984

The Nighthawks - Hot Spot 1984

Blues

The first album on the Varrick label was the re-release of “Ten Years Live.” This was followed by the re-release of the classic first album “Rock-N-Roll.” These came out in 1983. It was also around this time that Gregg Wetzel joined the band on keyboards. This provided a new element in The Nighthawks sound both on record and in concert over the next few years.

As they worked on their next album for Varrick, the band wanted to do a simple, straightforward blues/rock recording that represented what they were all about. Unfortunately, the producer and record company wanted a more pop, radio friendly sound. The differing perspectives made this one of the more challenging studio sessions for the band. The resulting album, “Hot Spot,” was released in 1983 and was more a reflection of what the record company wanted than what the band did. In an ironic twist, it was at about this same time that Stevie Ray Vaughn’s first album, Texas Flood, won critical praise and created renewed interest in the blues.
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01.Searchin' Is Over 2:18
02.Hot Spot 4:50
03.Crash Course In Love 2:50
04.Put Your Cat Clothes On 2:45
05.Smack Dab In The Middle 2:58
06.Big Time 3:09
07.Felt Too Good 4:17
08.Hearbreak Radio 3:20
09.Big Hunk Of Love 3:15
10.Too Tall To Maumbo 3:57
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The Nighthawks - Open All Nite 1976

The Nighthawks - Open All Nite 1976

Blues

When Open All Nite was first released on LP in 1976, the Nighthawks had only been together for four years -- little did they know that they would still be together in the 21st century and would celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2002. Some young bands sound like they still have some growing and developing to do, but the Nighthawks never sound the least bit undeveloped on Open All Nite. The blues-rockers always sound focused, and they know exactly what they're going for on gritty performances of "Nine Below Zero," Jimmy Reed's "Big Boss Man," and other Chicago blues staples. The Nighthawks were never innovative, but they were always sincere and honest, which is why they bring so much enthusiasm to these performances. Over the years, the Nighthawks have often been described as a "bar band" -- and most of the time, it is meant as a compliment. In most cases, people who call the Nighthawks a "bar band" are celebrating their rawness and lack of pretense. In fact, Open All Nite and other Nighthawks albums of the '70s sound like a rebellion against slickness -- the blues-rockers sound like they're downright proud of their raw, rugged, bare-bones approach, and they seem oblivious to the glossier sounds of the '70s. In that sense, one can see some parallels between Open All Nite and the punk bands that were starting to make their presence felt in 1976. The Nighthawks were never a punk band, but they did share punk's love of rawness and believed in keeping things simple, emotionally direct, and straightforward.
By Alex Henderson.
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Jim Thackery- (Guitar);
Mark Wenner- (Harmonica);
Jan Zukowski- (Bass);
Pete Ragusa- (Drums).
Pinetop Perkins- (Piano).
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A1. Intro / Nine Below Zero   3:23
A2. Help Me   4:00
A3. Shake Your Moneymaker  3:11
A4. Big Boss Man  3:23
A5. Little by Little  2:35
A6. Madison Blues  2:52
B1. Next Time You See Me  3:53
B2. That's Alright  4:00
B3. Long Distance Call  5:44
B4. Red Hot Mama  3:35
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Chicken Legs and The Nighthawks, Live at Warner Theater Nov 21 1980

Chicken Legs and The Nighthawks, Live at Warner Theater Nov 21 1980
All The Credit Goes To *Camarillo Brillo**

Blues

Here is my open reel tape of Chicken Legs and the Nighthawks, live at the Warner Theater. My tape is labeled Nov 21 1980 and states that the show was taped off of WWDC DC-101. The date could be inaccurate as I have Googled this show and found a similar show without as many Nighthawks tunes as I have here, and it is dated Nov 18 1980 and states that the show was taped off of WAVA. I believe there was a 3 or 4 night stand at the Warner Theater, so it's possible I'm correct in the shows date and radio station I taped it from. Also this sounds like the last night, because Paul Barerre mentions how much fun they have had here with the Nighthawks and how much they love DC. It's also possible it could have been re-aired. Hell it's been 27 years since I recorded this show off the radio so who knows for sure. The poster above shows the date of the 17th of November.
Whatever....This sounds great! It starts off a bit shaky for a minute or so then everything settles down and the sound is very good for the next 94 minutes. I ran out of tape during "Down On The Farm"...bummer. But hey, you get 95 minutes of The Nighthawks and
Chicken Legs from 1980!
By Camarillo Brillo.
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Chicken Legs Line Up:
Catfish Hodge, Paul Barrere, Kenny Gradney, Sam Clayton, Richie Hayward, Mitch Collins, Dixie C. Balin
The Nighthawks Line Up:
Mark Wenner, Pete Ragusa, Jimmy Thackery, Jan Zukowski
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01.Love Me Or Leave" by The Nighthawks (6:49)
02.Back To the City" by The Nighthawks (3:36)
03.You Got To Live For Yourself" by The Nighthawks (2:20)
04.Pretty Girls And Cadillacs" by The Nighthawks (5:05)
05.Little Sister" by The Nighthawks (6:44)
06.I Wouldn't Treat A Dog" by The Nighthwaks (6:35)
07.Tripe Face Boogie" by The Nighthawks (3:23)
08.Holiday" by Chicken Legs (4:10)
09.Down Over The Border" by Chicken Legs (3:49)
10.I Got That Record Executive Blues Again" by Chicken Legs (5:19)
11.Drown In A Sea Of Love" by Chicken Legs (4:01)
12.Old Folks Boogie" by Chicken Legs (5:11)
13.I Got a Mess of the Blues" by Chicken Legs (4:17)
14.Apolitical Blues-Boogie Man Blues" by Chicken Legs (7:40)
15.High Roller" by Chicken Legs (5:17)
16.Stay All Night" by Chicken Legs (5:21)
17.Pump It Up" by Chicken Legs (3:19)
18.Band Intros" by Chicken Legs (3:47)
19.Elmo's Blues, Down On the Farm (incomplete)" by Chicken Legs (8:35)
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The NIGHTHAWKS - Live at The Psyche Delly & El Macombo 1977

The NIGHTHAWKS - Live at The Psyche Delly & El Macombo 1977
The Psyche Delly in Bethesda, Maryland, 1976
and at The El Macombo in Toronto, Canada, 1977
The best of boogie blues w. 12 tracks at Psyche Delly, 1976 & 4 tracks at El Macombo, 1977

Blues

What a great blues band. The Psyche Delly in Bethesda M.D. was the site of this amazing live performance by the Nighthawks. Jim Thackery and Mark Wenner tear through "Shake Your Moneymaker". "Can't Get Next To You" is played like no band I've ever heard. There are bonus tracks here not on the original release. Check out "Ubangi Stomp", and try to keep still. .... Even the intro is good. A must have..
By  Kevin Monahan.
**
The Nighthawks, at their heart, are a bar band in the best sense of the term -- they're at their best in a live setting. Live at the Psychedelly captures them at their mid-'70s peak, running through standards ("Jail House Rock," "Hound Dog") ...    Full Descriptionand contemporary rockers ("Can't Get Next to You," "Whammer Jammer," "Tripe Face Boogie"), with fire and energy. The CD reissue includes four bonus tracks recorded at the El Mocambo.
By Thom Owens.
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Mark Wenner- Vocals & Harp
Jimmy Thackery- Vocals & Guitar
Jan Zukowski- Bass Guitar
Pete Ragusa- Drums
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01. Intro: Josh 1:15
02. Jailhouse Rock 3:22
03. Hound Dog 1:55
04. Can't Get Next To You 3:20
05. Shake and Fingerpop 9:23
06. Whammer Jammer 2:19
07. Tripe Face Boogie 2:59
08. Nineteen Years Old 8:58
09. Shake Your Moneymaker 8:40
10. Intro 0:21
11. Ubangi Stomp 3:17
12. Mystery Dance 2:15
13. Boppin' The Blues 3:53
14. Talked To My Baby 5:38
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The NIGHTHAWKS - Blue Moon In Your Eye 2006

The NIGHTHAWKS - Blue Moon In Your Eye  2006

Blues

RECORDED LIVE AT THE Barns at Wolf Trap in April 2005, the latest release by the Nighthawks succeeds for a variety of reasons. For starters, the double-disc set, which includes a full-length DVD version of the concert, serves as a vibrant showcase for the quartet's new lineup, featuring two recent recruits (and seasoned players): guitarist Paul Bell and bassist Johnny Castle.

Then there's the set list to consider, which is representative of the band's diverse tastes and numerous recordings. Beginning with the "The Sopranos"-inspired "Woke Up This Morning," the 'Hawks pay soulful tribute to Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Charles Brown, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon and Electric Flag, not to mention Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Etta James and sundry rockabilly influences. It's a lot of ground to cover, especially for a guitarist, but Bell has no trouble evoking the right mood, whether playing the minor-key lament "Black Night" or recalling Waters's searing slide work on "Same Thing."

In the end, though, what really stands out is how quickly the new lineup jells. Mark Wenner, on diatonic and chromatic harp, blows hot and cool with customary authority and convincingly handles most of the vocals. Drummer Pete Ragusa's singing, however, is particularly expressive on "Soul of a Man," while bassist Castle helps shore up the vocals and the bottom end. The crowd at Wolf Trap certainly got its money's worth and then some.
By Mike Joyce. The Washington Post.
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Johnny Castle- Bass, Vocals
Mark Wenner- Vocals, Harp
Paul Bell- Vocals, Guitar
Pete Ragusa- Drums, Vocals
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01. Woke Up This Morning [From the Sopranos]
02. Born in Chicago
03. Thirty Days
04. Jump into My Fire
05. Big River
06. Black Night
07. You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care)
08. None of That Stuff
09. Soul of a Man
10. Put Your Cat Clothes On
11. Walkin' After Midnight
12. Same Thing
13. Can't Judge a Book by Looking at the Cover
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The Nighthawks With Dr.John - Live at Cherry Hill Philadelphia - PA - 1981

The Nighthawks With Dr.John - Live at Cherry Hill Philadelphia - PA - 1981
Bootleg
All Credit Goes To *SILVERADO*

Blues

01. Instrumental
02. John Hammond Intro
03. Nadine
04. Who Do You Love
05. Got My Mojo Working
06. Right Place,Wrong Time
07. Junco Partner
08. Such A Night
09. Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)
10. Wang Dang Doodle
11. Going Down rain
12. Mess Around
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