Mark Wenner - Runs Good; Needs Paint

Album: Runs Good; Needs Paint
Size: 117,9 MB
Time: 50:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2000
Styles: Blues, rocking blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. Back To The City (4:02)
2. Too Much (2:59)
3. Lonesome Fugitive (3:06)
4. Shade Tree Mechanic (6:38)
5. Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor (4:39)
6. The Wild One (2:44)
7. So Lonesome I Could Cry (2:52)
8. Love's Gonna Live Here (3:55)
9. Too Young To Know (3:13)
10. Rollin' And Tumblin' (3:14)
11. Made Up My Mind (3:02)
12. Chitlins Con Carne (4:34)
13. I Want To Be Loved (3:22)
14. Amazing Grace (2:21)

Best take heed of the title, since this collection of odds and ends delivers on its promise of a reliable, low luster ride through blues, soul and rock territory. Nighthawks harmonica ace Mark Wenner has collected some takes of mostly moonlighting performances he's recorded in various settings over the past 15 years or so. None are more sonically wanting than the live tracks that capture the reunited Switchblade in the mid-'90s, but the band's affection for fundamental rock and country styles, along with its freewheeling spirit, often manage to penetrate the cloudy sound mix when it counts.

The remaining cuts find Wenner singing or blowing soulful harp in familiar and unusual contexts: reprising Willie Dixon's "I Want to Be Loved" with the 'hawks two years ago; collaborating with guitarist (and former Muddy Waters bandmember) Bob Margolin, bassist Jeff Sarli and drummer Big Joe Maher on tunes composed by Waters; exploring southern blues grooves with the Bel Airs on "Made Up My Mind" and "Chitlins Con Carne"; and dueting with Terry Garland on a slide guitar-cross harp arrangement of "Amazing Grace." While those familiar with Wenner's recording history will recognize some of the tracks culled from previous albums, this anthology has a rootsy, rough-hewn charm of its own. /Mike Joyce

Runs Good; Needs Paint mc
Runs Good; Needs Paint zippy

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Mark Wenner & The Bel Airs - Mama Tried

Size: 90,0 MB
Time: 38:39
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2002
Styles: Electric blues, harmonica blues
Art: Front, tray

1. If Glen Could Swing (2:14)
2. Walkin' After Midnight (2:58)
3. Try It Baby (4:27)
4. Big River (3:18)
5. She Belongs To Me (4:02)
6. Mama Tried (2:38)
7. Howie's Hammer (3:27)
8. Baby (You've Got What It Takes) (3:45)
9. A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around And Fall In Love) (3:42)
10. Let's Get Together (4:15)
11. Cleo's Mood (3:48)

Mark Wenner was born and raised in Maryland’s D.C. suburbs. At age ten, a budding rebel and biker-to-be, he was already listening to the amazing ferment of blues-based music that was coming out of the Washington-Southern Maryland music scene. In his words, “Most people don’t realize what a cultural crossroad Washington was back then. It was like Memphis with a mixture of music – doo-wop, country, rockabilly, and blues. I’d just as soon tune in George Jones as Joe Turner.”

By the end of tenth grade, Mark was already collecting hard core, then-obscure harmonica bluesmen like Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, and Lightnin’ Slim. Mark recounts, “I found that type of raw, stark and simple blues was very compatible with the sparse playing of, say, a Jimmy Reed with whom I was already very conversant.” About this time, quite naturally, Mark began “noodling around” with the blues harmonica. Paul Butterfield’s 1965 recording of “Born in Chicago” really inspired him to get serious about the blues harp; then listening to Charlie Musselwhite expanded Mark’s style.

In 1966, Mark entered New York’s Columbia University, falling directly into a college music scene where almost everybody played. Soon he was spending almost all his time practicing Butterfield licks, sitting in with groups like Sha Na Na, or hanging out in Greenwich Village, listening to visiting blues greats like Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, and Buddy Guy. At Columbia, he formed his first band, B-Town Slim and His Rhythm Review, doing soul, R&B, and funky blues – with Mark, for the first time, singing lead. During summer breaks back home in D.C., Mark would play the local blues scene, often sitting in with Bobby Ratcliff, Washington’s blues icon back then.

Graduating from Columbia in 1972, Mark immediately headed for D.C. to start a blues band. Continuing to sit in with his old friend Bobby Ratcliff, soon Mark found a nineteen-year-old guitar phenomenon, Jimmy Thackery, then playing with the Crawling Kingsnake Blues. Out of their almost-instant compatibility sprang the great Nighthawks, the nationally known blues band that Mark has been leading for an astonishing 35 years. In addition to his two Blue Rider Trio albums and 20 albums as leader of the Nighthawks, Mark has also recorded six solo discs.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Mama Tried mc
Mama Tried zippy

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Mark Wenner & Switchblade - Fugitive

Size: 100,7 MB
Time: 43:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1984
Styles: Rocking harmonica blues, rock & roll
Art: Full

1. Back To The City (4:10)
2. Too Much (2:49)
3. Wash My Hands In Muddy Water (3:48)
4. Sixteen Tons (4:49)
5. Lonesome Fugitive (2:51)
6. Highball (4:53)
7. Love's Gonna Live Here (4:14)
8. Rip It Up (2:22)
9. If You Don't Come Back (4:14)
10. So Lonesome I Could Cry (3:01)
11. She Makes Me Rock Too Much (Bonus) (2:50)
12. Tight Blue Jeans (Bonus) (3:13)

Mark Wenner was born and raised in Maryland’s D.C. suburbs. At age ten, a budding rebel and biker-to-be, he was already listening to the amazing ferment of blues-based music that was coming out of the Washington-Southern Maryland music scene. In his words, “Most people don’t realize what a cultural crossroad Washington was back then. It was like Memphis with a mixture of music – doo-wop, country, rockabilly, and blues. I’d just as soon tune in George Jones as Joe Turner.”

By the end of tenth grade, Mark was already collecting hard core, then-obscure harmonica bluesmen like Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, and Lightnin’ Slim. Mark recounts, “I found that type of raw, stark and simple blues was very compatible with the sparse playing of, say, a Jimmy Reed with whom I was already very conversant.” About this time, quite naturally, Mark began “noodling around” with the blues harmonica. Paul Butterfield’s 1965 recording of “Born in Chicago” really inspired him to get serious about the blues harp; then listening to Charlie Musselwhite expanded Mark’s style.

In 1966, Mark entered New York’s Columbia University, falling directly into a college music scene where almost everybody played. Soon he was spending almost all his time practicing Butterfield licks, sitting in with groups like Sha Na Na, or hanging out in Greenwich Village, listening to visiting blues greats like Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, and Buddy Guy. At Columbia, he formed his first band, B-Town Slim and His Rhythm Review, doing soul, R&B, and funky blues – with Mark, for the first time, singing lead. During summer breaks back home in D.C., Mark would play the local blues scene, often sitting in with Bobby Ratcliff, Washington’s blues icon back then.

Graduating from Columbia in 1972, Mark immediately headed for D.C. to start a blues band. Continuing to sit in with his old friend Bobby Ratcliff, soon Mark found a nineteen-year-old guitar phenomenon, Jimmy Thackery, then playing with the Crawling Kingsnake Blues. Out of their almost-instant compatibility sprang the great Nighthawks, the nationally known blues band that Mark has been leading for an astonishing 35 years. In addition to his two Blue Rider Trio albums and 20 albums as leader of the Nighthawks, Mark has also recorded six solo discs.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Fugitive mc
Fugitive zippy

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Mark Wenner - Nothin' But...

Year: 1989
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:52
Size: 87,6 MB
Styles: Electric blues, harmonica blues
Scans: Full

1. Up The Line (3:25)
2. I Live The Life I Love (3:21)
3. Nothin' But The Devil (3:07)
4. Don't Go No Further (3:02)
5. Too Young To Know (3:16)
6. Rollin & Tumblin' (3:17)
7. My Starter Won't Start (2:55)
8. Temperature (2:11)
9. Sugar Sweet (2:38)
10. Made Up My Mind (3:06)
11. Chitlins Con Carne (4:39)
12. The Stuff You Gotta Watch (2:55)

A harp-blowing, multi-tattooed belter of blues, Wenner fronted Washington, DC's the Nighthawks for a bunch of years and has finally gone solo. The result is this fine, nondescript passel of a dozen odes to drinkin', carousin' and generally livin' the blues life. Wenner is a fine harp man, and his stylish, if understated, backing band includes the assertive guitar of Bob Margolin and the fat burbling upright bass of Jeff Sarli. Wenner's gritty, throaty vocals are perfectly suited for standard raunch like "Rollin' and Tumblin'" and "Nothin' But the Devil," and he acquits himself like a pro. /John Dougan, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Nothin' But... mc
Nothin' But... zippy

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Mark Wenner's Blues Warriors - Mark Wenner's Blues Warriors

Size: 108,8 MB
Time: 46:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. Diamonds At Your Feet (3:23)
02. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear (4:13)
03. Rock A While (2:34)
04. Checkin' On My Baby (3:49)
05. Just To Be With You (5:53)
06. King Bee (3:36)
07. It's My Own Fault (6:08)
08. Hello Josephine (1:56)
09. Trust My Baby (3:08)
10. The Hucklebuck (3:01)
11. Just Like Jimmy (3:18)
12. Dust My Broom (5:06)

The iconic blues band The Nighthawks take January off but band leader and harp virtuoso Mark Wenner isn’t about resting on his laurels. Each January Mark brings some amazing side project and tonight is no exception. Digging in the renowned collections of ‘50s blues labels Chess, Vee Jay and Excello, Mark brings together some shining traditional blues from the Chicago and Louisiana schools. He shows them off with a band created just for tonight. Mark’s Blues Warriors feature Mark Wenner’s harp and vocals and up and coming DC based Clarence “Bluesman” Turner. Clarence’s creative guitar playing and authentic vocals have been garnering him a fast growing following in DC. The accomplished band is flushed out with Steve Wolf on upright bass, Robert Frahm (for yet another hot guitarist), and the Nighthawks’ own Mark Stutso on drums and vocals.

Mark Wenner's Blues Warriors MP3
Mark Wenner's Blues Warriors FLAC

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The Blue Rider Trio - Early Morning Blues: The Complete Blue Rider Trio Sessions

Size: 116,5+111,1 MB
Time: 49:41+47:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2007
Styles: Acoustic Blues
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Preachin' Blues (4:18)
02. Stomp Down Rider (4:40)
03. Gallows Pole (4:29)
04. Blue Goose Blues (2:56)
05. Early Morning Blues (5:03)
06. Cincinnati Rag (3:59)
07. Payday (6:15)
08. Walkin' Blues (3:29)
09. Georgia Rag (2:47)
10. Freight Train Boogie (3:44)
11. Statesboro Blues (3:32)
12. She Don't Do Me Wrong (4:24)

CD 2:
01. Salty Dog Blues (2:46)
02. Easy Rider (4:02)
03. Last Fair Deal Goin' Down (3:43)
04. Death (Don't) Have No Mercy (4:21)
05. Ride Till I Die (4:29)
06. Make Me Down A Pallet (3:34)
07. Black Betty (3:05)
08. Stackolee (4:10)
09. Kokomo Blues (5:06)
10. Silver City Bound (3:50)
11. Long Tall Momma (2:26)
12. CC Rider (2:47)
13. Diddie Wah Diddie (2:49)

Personnel:
Ben Andrews: Vocals & Guitar
Jeff Sarli: Bass
Mark Wenner: Harmonica

Early Morning Blues combines the Blue Rider Trio's two albums, 1991's Preachin' the Blues and 2000's Harp, Steel and Guts, in one package, essentially creating a complete recorded works set for this fervent but hardly innovative Maryland acoustic blues ensemble.

"The fact that one of the best acoustic blues albums of the year comes from three white boys from Maryland might surprise you—that is, until you realize that it’s the return of the Blue Rider Trio, who kicked up a lot of shit out of nowhere with their 1992 release Preachin’ the Blues...” raves Blues Revue. That out-of-print debut became a treasure among both hard-core blues fans and audiophile connoisseurs. Early Morning Blues joins this collectors’ jewel with the Trio’s final and arguably best album. On that last session, Ben Andrew’s voice and wailing guitar have gained a seared-by-life bluesiness; Mark Wenner’s moaning harmonica cuts even deeper; and Jeff Sarli’s slap bass adds layers of subtlety to his knock-you-down drive. The rich vocal detail, intense dynamics, and three-dimensional overtones add extra excitement and authenticity to this tasty collection of Chicago, Delta, and Texas acoustic blues. The Absolute Sound was unambiguous: “This is as close to live as I’ve heard a recorded trio get...I dare you not to fall in love with this uniquely American music and this firecracker performance."

Early Morning Blues CD 1
Early Morning Blues CD 2

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The Blue Rider Trio - Harp, Steel & Guts

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:09
Size: 108.0 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Year: 2000/2010
Art: Front

[2:42] 1. Salty Dog
[4:02] 2. Easy Rider
[3:43] 3. Last Fair Deal Going Down
[4:21] 4. Death Have No Mercy On This Land
[4:29] 5. Ride Till I Die
[3:34] 6. Make Me Down A Pallet
[3:05] 7. Black Betty
[4:10] 8. Stagolee
[5:06] 9. Sweet Home Kokomo
[3:50] 10. Silver City Bound
[2:26] 11. Long Tall Momma
[2:47] 12. CC Rider
[2:49] 13. Diddy Wa Diddy

Bass – Jeff Sarli; Guitar – Ben Andrews; Harmonica – Mark Wenner; Piano – Larry Willis; Vocals – Ben Andrews.

Mix in a few measures of folk country blues with Georgia red clay with an occasional rock rhythm and you have the Blue Rider Trio's first album in nine years. They have come a long way, showing greater confidence and ease with the music. They're tough when they have to be, and tender, too. The program is a conglomerate of traditional tunes mixed in with original material. All of them are handled by the rough, down-to-earth voice of Ben Andrews. He also employs a mournful howl from time to time for emphasis. The traditional material is delivered with imagination and given new character. Don't think of Ray Charles as you listen to Andrews do "See See Rider." The version here has an almost Western country gait to it rather than the mournful blues feeling often heard with this tune. A favorite of New Orleans jazz musicians, "Make Me a Down Pallett" takes on a different meaning when done with that good old country boy feel to it. There can be a lot of fun in the blues, which seems to be a contradiction in terms. But the bouncy "Diddy Wa Diddy" is just that -- a good time. There seems to be stronger story telling ingredients than in the traditional blues as in Andrews' vocal recitation of the downfall of the mean "Stagolee." The entire proceeding is bounded by Andrews' hard-sounding steel guitar and Mark Wenner's crying harmonica weaving in, out, and around the melody. English piano player Larry Willis sits in with the group for three cuts. His piano takes the edge off some of the trio's roughness. Eight years is a long time to wait for a second album. But here the hanging in there was worth it. Recommended. ~Dave Nathan

Harp, Steel & Guts mc
Harp, Steel & Guts zippy

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The Nighthawks - 2 albums: Hard Living / American Landscape

The Nighthawks were formed in 1972 by harp player and vocalist Mark Wenner and guitarist Jimmy Thackery. After numerous changes in personnel, the line-up would solidify in 1974 with the addition of bassist Jan Zukowski and drummer Pete Ragusa. Basing their early sound on the classic Chicago blues of legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, the band fast found an eager audience performing on a thriving D.C. music scene that included talents like guitarists Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton.

As they expanded their sound to include elements of root-rock, rockabilly, and soul the Nighthawks would become one of the most in-demand live bands of the decade, regularly pulling down 300+ shows a year from 1974 through the mid-1980s. The band's on-stage chemistry was incendiary, and they would find themselves opening shows for, or backing up such artists as Muddy Waters, James Cotton, and John Hammond.

Album: Hard Living
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 37:42
Size: 86.3 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 1986
Art: Front

[3:37] 1. Hard Living
[4:00] 2. High Ball
[4:30] 3. Yeah Man
[3:01] 4. I Don't Want To Be In Love
[3:21] 5. Price Of Love
[3:26] 6. Lot Of Love
[3:09] 7. Memphis Beat
[2:51] 8. Inaugural Freeze
[7:02] 9. If You Don't Come Back
[2:41] 10. Louise

Recording information: Bias Recording Company, Inc., Springfield, VA (1985).

Stuart Saunders Smith (vocals, guitar, synthesizer, percussion); Jimmy Thackery (vocals, guitar); Mark Wenner (vocals, harmonica); Greg Wetzel (vocals, keyboards); Pete Ragusa (vocals, drums, percussion); Jan Zukowski (vocals); Steuart Smith (guitar, synthesizer, percussion).

Hard Living

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Album: American Landscape
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:56
Size: 100.6 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:45] 1. Big Boy
[3:59] 2. Down In The Hole
[4:45] 3. She Belongs To Me
[3:27] 4. Matchbox
[3:15] 5. Where Do You Go
[5:34] 6. Try It Baby
[2:46] 7. Jana Lea
[3:20] 8. Made Up My Mind
[2:54] 9. Don't Turn Your Heater Down
[5:13] 10. Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine
[2:54] 11. Standing In The Way
[1:57] 12. Fishin' Hole Theme

On this 2009 album, the Nighthawks, a long-running East Coast roots-rock ensemble, present a fine set of distinctly American tunes. Highlights include a bluesy, no-frills version of Tom Waits's fire-and-brimstone classic, "Down in the Hole," and a charmingly loose rendition of Bob Dylan's "More Likely You'll Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine)."

Recording information: The Red Room, Cue Studio, Falls Church, VA.

Paul Bell (vocals, guitar); Mark Wenner (vocals, harmonica); Johnny Castle (vocals, bass instrument, percussion); Pete Ragusa (vocals, drums, percussion).

American Landscape

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