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 In 2004, The Nighthawks made a change to their
lineup - when long time members, Mark Wenner (harp/vocals) and Pete
Ragusa (drums/vocals), were joined by Paul
Bell (guitar/vocals) and Johnny Castle (bass/vocals).
This new lineup transformed what was already an internationally
respected blues band into a highly energetic and
extremely versatile musical powerhouse - leaving
fans to conclude that "The Nighthawks are
now the best they've ever been!"
Their current release is a 2-disc set (audioCD
and videoDVD) called "Blue Moon in Your Eye" capturing a recent
live performance at The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia.
 If you haven't had a
chance to check out The Hawks with the new lineup, here's
your chance. If you have seen the new lineup, you
know this is the most powerful Hawks yet.
Either way, you don't want to miss this new release.
Many of the quality recordings that The Nighthawks
have made over the years are now available on CD. They can be
purchased in the Merchandise section of this site.
A few quotes
about recent Hawks performances with the new lineup...
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.
--
Mike Joyce
The Washington Post
"All
in all, Ragusa's rock-steady drumming and singing, Wenner's
virtuoso harp stylings and gritty vocals, Bell's on-the-mark,
bluesy soloing, and Castle's pumping bass and singing show
why this present Nighthawks outfit is their funkiest and
most powerful yet."
--
Alan Kurzer
Blues News, Natchel' Blues Network
"OK
everybody, all that post-Jimmy Thackery era lament and whining
can be put to rest once and for all. This is the best live
set I’ve seen them perform since the mid-1980s ...Rockabilly,
Soul, R&B (the real kind), Roots Rock, and Boogie are
all integral parts of a Nighthawks show. They never were
a mere Blues band."
--
Beardo
BluesWax's Blues Beat
"there's
not a whit of pretension, they run their band like a well-oiled
machine, and they're guaranteed to put a smile on your face
- or at bare minimum, some sweat."
--
Creative Loafing
Charlotte, NC
And there should be more great music to come—stay
tuned…
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