|
The Nighthawks:
Live at The State Theater
with Special Guest: Hubert Sumlin
(Video/DVD) -
(read the Press Release)
For
more than 30 years, The Nighthawks have entertained audiences
all over the world with their unique blend
of blues, rock, soul,
R&B, rockabilly and swing. Internationally recognized as
one of the hardest working blues bands together today, they
have established
a solid reputation for high energy and high quality live performances.
They've played along side legends that include Muddy Waters,
BB King, Gregg Allman, Pinetop Perkins, John Lee Hooker (and
more)
and have helped launch the careers of numerous blues artists.
On
November, 29, 2003, Mark Wenner, Pete Ragusa, Jan Zukowski and
Pete Kanaras
took the stage in front
of a packed crowd at The
State Theater in Falls Church, Virginia. As a special treat, they
were joined on stage for several songs by legendary Howlin' Wolf
guitarist Hubert Sumlin - also one of The Nighthawks' "musical
heroes."
This high energy and truly historic performance was captured on
film and recorded using a mobile 24-track digital recording system.
In post-production, this recording required no overdubs and demonstrates
the kind of high quality performance that is possible from a tight,
professional and talented group of musicians.
It's
blues and it rocks - ladies and gentlemen...The Nighthawks!
| What
people are saying about the "Live at the State Theater" DVD: |
| |

Excerpts
from the Post review include:
"...a
blues summit, wherein the Nighthawks team up with the great guitarist
Hubert Sumlin."
"...From
start to finish, Sumlin sounds as hip as he looks in his snap-brim
fedora. He briefly solos and subtly contributes a trademark array
of accents to the DVD's finale: sweet-sounding bends, sliding
fills and country turnarounds. Playing electric guitar with thumb
and index finger, Sumlin casually reveals his Mississippi and
Arkansas roots, and Nighthawks guitarist Pete Kanaras pays him
tribute by shedding his pick at one point. Then again, Kanaras
colorfully evokes images of Waters, too, when playing slide guitar.
The finale also finds Mark Wenner briefly trading in his blues
harmonica for a chromatic model in order to pump out fat, resonating,
low-end chords during "I'm Ready."
"...the
Nighthawks are typically in fine bar-band form, playing plenty
of road-tested tunes and frequent requests, such as 'Can't Get
Next to You' and 'Pretty Girls and Cadillacs.'" -- Mike Joyce,
The Washington Post.
To
read the complete review from the Washington Post web site, click
here (you may be asked to register)...
"This
DVD belongs in your collection, as a fantastic gig caught
on tape brings The Nighthawks to your place. What an
opportunity to see and hear Hubert Sumlin perform with
the best in the business! Check it out..." -- Deb
"
...a definite plus in our collection. I would consider
it money well spent.." -- rick short
"...I
thought the DVD was excellent!!! ...Great show! Hope to
see them again..." -- Bob Roche
"Great
show ! Great DVD !" -- Jim Bille
"...Five
Stars-Outstanding-Hopefully more Nighthawks DVDs in the
future!" -- Brother Wes in WV |
DVD
Highlights:
The
First DVD from The Nighthawks
"The Nighthawks
Live at The State Theater" is first concert
video/DVD from The Nighthawks - a group that is internationally
recognized for putting on high energy and high impact live performances.
Classic Song Selections
Classic song selections - including 6 songs never before
recorded by The Nighthawks.
A
Truly Historic Event
The State Theater show represented one
of last shows featuring this version of band - marking
the end of 30+ years
for bassist
Jan
Zukowski
and
10+
years for
guitarist
Pete Kanaras. Founding members Mark Wenner and
Pete Ragusa continue with new members Paul Bell on guitar and
Johnny Castle on bass.
Special
Guest Appearance
Special guest appearance by Howlin' Wolf
guitarist Hubert Sumlin.
- Executive Producer: Scott Norcross
- Production and Creative Consultant: Dan Kohlmeier
- Produced by: The Nighthawks and Rolling Storm Communications Corporation
- Recorded Live at: The State Theater, Falls Church, Virginia on November 29, 2003.
- Video Editing and DVD Authoring : Scott Norcross
- Camera Operators: Scott Norcross, Chris Bourassa, and Dan Kohlmeier
- Front of House Engineer: Chris Murphy
- Audio Mixed by: Chris Murphy (RHL Audio)
- Package Design: Scott Norcross
- Graphic Design Advisor: Julie Norcross
|
|
| Song
List: |
1.
Introduction
2. Can’t Get Next to You
3. Let’s Get Together
4. Sugar Sweet
5. Help Me
6. Boogie Woogie Country Girl
7. Cry Like a Man
8. I Told You So
9. Get Out My Life |
10. My Babe
11. Guard My Heart
12. I Wish You Would
13. Pretty Girls and Cadillacs
14. Shake and Finger Pop
15. Spoonful (with Hubert Sumlin)
16. I’m Ready (with Hubert Sumlin)
17. 19 Years Old (with Hubert Sumlin)
18. Mojo Working (with Hubert Sumlin) |
| |
| Song Details |
| 2.
Can’t Get Next to You |
|
The
Nighthawks take the stage with a powerful version of the
classic song, "Can't
Get Next to You," that they've been performing for more
than 30 years. Listening (and watching) this version, you
realize that The Hawks just keep getting better. This smooth
pulsating
rendition kicks the show off with traditional Nighthawks
energy - featuring driving bass lines and backing vocals
from Jan
Zukowski, solid drum work and backing vocals from Pete Ragusa,
strong guitar from Pete Kanaras and solid lead vocals, harmonica
solos showmanship from Mark Wenner.
|
| 3.
Let’s Get Together |
And let the dancing begin. Mark's intro and harp
solo sets the groove for this one that features a great beat
and a fine guitar solo from Pete K. and some great solos and
vocals by Mark.
|
| 4.
Sugar Sweet |
This
version of "Sugar
Sweet" truly demonstrates The Nighthawks ability to
combine blues, rock and jazz into a unique and powerful musical
performance.
The song features solid work from all members and an especially
powerful , rhythmic, and melodic bass solo from Jan Zukowski.
|
| 5.
Help Me |
This
Hawks rendition of "Help Me" builds gradually from a slow driving blues
to a high powered, syncopated number - ending with an awesome
harp solo by Mark Wenner.
|
| 6.
Boogie Woogie Country Girl |
This
classic "Doc" Pomus
and Reginald Ashby song features Jan Zukowski on lead vocals
with a lighter style song that combines a solid rolling blues,
a rockabilly feel, with a tight ensemble performance.
|
| 7.
Cry Like a Man |
Pete
Ragusa takes the opportunity to show off his unique R&B
vocal styling on this slow, but hard driving and powerful
number.
|
| 8.
I Told You So (You Should'a Known Better) |
They
pick up the pace again with this "wronged man blues" tune.
Written and sung by Pete Ragusa, it should be no surprise
that this song
features strong vocals, a solid beat and great melodies.
|
| 9.
Get Out My Life |
Combining a little
funk with a driving blues/rock beat, The Hawks offer a memorable
and foot tapping rendition of this classic Allen Toussaint
tune - strong ensemble playing and another tight live performance.
|
| 10.
My Babe |
This up tempo and straight
rock and roll version of My Babe quickly fills the dance floor
and features strong vocals by Wenner with signature Nighthawks
harmonies by Pete Ragusa and Jan Zukowski.
|
| 11.
Guard My Heart |
They keep it movin' as Mark takes
a softer vocal approach and shows off more harp chops over
a lighter blues beat.
|
| 12.
I Wish You Would |
The Hawks move into a harder groove
on this Billy Boy Arnold tune. Mark continues to amaze - singing
and playing the harp almost concurrently. Pete K. does some
intense riffing and Mark lets the harp wail at the end.
|
| 13.
Pretty Girls and Cadillacs |
They slow it down a little on this
one. Mark, Jan and Pete R. share the vocals - offering a great
example of Nighthawks style harmonies and an opportunity for
Mark to break out with another fine harp solo.
|
| 14.
Shake and Finger Pop |
They really kick it into high gear
on this one as Pete R. calls the crowd to actions - telling
them to "get up--you all get up." Pete R. and Jan take the
vocals, Mark's harp solo hits another high and Pete K. steps out
on guitar while the band grooves. Pete R. plays off the crowd commemorating
the Thanksgiving weekend with a little "turkey talk." Pete
K. follows direction and "pulls that guitar thang" and
the band groves while the fans literally shake it. Blues rock
doesn't get much better than this - high energy, great performance
and
a classic example of a legendary bar-band at its best.
|
| 15.
Spoonful |
You know the tune as soon as Mark
starts the intro harp riff. Then, it's "star time" as
Mark Wenner offers a classic introduction to one of The Nighthawks
true "musical heroes," Hubert Sumlin. It's a classic
and historic moment as people crowd the stage to watch two
legendary acts play the blues. Hubert's riffing gets right
in the groove
with a little musical banter with Mark. And then, Hubert steps
out and shows why he's a blues legend with some great guitar
chops.
|
| 16.
I’m Ready |
They keep it flowing with some mid
tempo blues. Mark sings it like he means it and Hubert's guitar
riffs respond in kind. Hubert gets another solo showcase and
Pete K. solos too. Some really classic interplay between Wenner's
harp
and Hubert's guitar.
|
| 17.
19 Years Old |
As the hour grows late, the band
takes it to another level and heads into some slow blues. On
the video, you'll notice Mark's shirt and realize that Muddy
has been
keeping a very close eye on the festivities - so it's only
fitting that they offer up a classic rendition of a Morganfield
tune. Mark
and Hubert hold court and let the music tell the truth with
this classic Muddy Waters tune. Somewhere, Howlin' Wolf must
be smiling.
|
| 18.
Mojo Working |
Hold on - it might be the last tune
of the night, but no one (on stage or in the audience) looks
ready to stop. Mark sets the tone with his harp and uses this
rolling,
vamping tune as an opportunity to introduce the players. There
is some classic interplay with Hubert and Mark - with Hubert
offering up some accompanying vocals - and some great faces and
reactions - fortunately captured on video/DVD!. The band grooves
and
Mark's harp wails again. As Mark introduces the players, Jan
solos, Pete
R. "rises above them all," Pete K. shows off his
skills and Hubert takes a bow as they let the mojo go one more
time -
closing out a great night of classic blues rock.
|
|
|
|
| |
The Nighthawks take the stage with a powerful version
of the classic song, "Can't Get Next to You," that they've
been performing for more than 30 years. Listening (and watching)
this version, you realize that The Hawks just keep getting better.
This smooth pulsating rendition kicks the show off with traditional
Nighthawks energy - featuring driving bass lines and backing vocals
from Jan Zukowski, solid drum work and backing vocals from Pete
Ragusa, strong guitar from Pete Kanaras and solid lead vocals,
harmonica solos showmanship from Mark Wenner.
This tune was first recorded by The Nighthawks on
the "Rock and Roll" album (1974), then on the "Best
of The Nighthawks" and again, as a live version on "Live
at Psyche Delly" (1976). |
|
|