An Old Friend, Troubadour Willie Nile, Is Coming To Town

Willie Nile is a troubadour, a balladeer, a journeyman and a rock ‘n’ roll wizard. And he’s coming to our area in June!

He’s been playing and singing his songs for the world for decades now. He’s a Buffalo, New York, native but is considered by many to be the son of New York City. He’s played on corners, clubs, bars, backyards, halls, arenas and stadiums all over New York, and far beyond actually.

After the release of his self-titled debut record in 1980, he was asked by Pete Townshend to tour with The Who. He was brought up on stage by Bruce Springsteen for each night of a three-night run at Giants Stadium in 2003. Lucinda Williams called “On the Road to Calvary,” Nile’s song for Jeff Buckley, “One of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.” Everybody loves Willie!!

He has released 13 albums since 1980. His second record, Golden Down, came out in 1981 and we didn’t hear from him again until 1991 when he put out Places I’ve Never Been, which contained a Nile staple, “Heaven Help the Lonely.”

Due to legal issues (nothing criminal) there were 10 years between recordings. He was unable to find a steady home with any record label. Then in 2006, came the release of Streets of New York. A fantastic record from top to bottom and the critics loved it. He has been on a steady roll ever since. He put out eight albums over the next 11 years.

It’s impossible for me to pick one, two, or ten of my favorite Willie Nile compositions. There are too many!

Willie rarely covers an artist, but in 2017 the band released a Dylan tribute record called Positively Bob. As usual, it was outstanding!! By the way… HAPPY B-DAY BOB!! Mr. Dylan turned 80 years old on May 24th.

In 2012, I had a radio show on Saturday afternoons. My friend and I also promoted concerts at the local Knights of Columbus hall. We had a cool thing going. I’d have the band come up to the studio and I’d interview them and they’d play live for us. After the show was over, we’d roll across town to the hall and set up the band, go out for a nice dinner and back to the hall where the band would play. After the show, the band hung out and took pictures, signed stuff and talked with everyone that wanted to talk. The shows all sold out.

The night Willie and his bass player, Johnny Pisano, came and played for us, it was no different. One hundred twenty people lost their minds that night. Were you there? The guys came back several times after that with the full band. This is an incredible band of musicians and the live shows are amazing. It was great to get to know these guys. I’ve promoted several of the band’s local shows over the years.

Willie turns 73 in a couple of weeks and on stage he’s as energized as he was all those years ago. You’ve got a chance to see Willie and his band when they come to the Stanhope House on June 25th!! You’ll be talking about this show for a while! NYC COMES TO STANHOPE!

PS….

Matt Hogan’s guitar work on “Love Is A Train” is jaw droppingly good and Johnny Pisano’s bass is all ya ever need. Jump Johnny Jump!

You can always hear me play a Willie cut on Dogbites, which airs Saturday nights at 7 p.m. on www.wrnj.com.

What’s Old, But Still Plenty Good with Mike Watterston

Mott The Hoople
MOTT
Columbia Records
Released: July 20, 1973

I remember this always being in my pile of records that I played to death like “Dark Side of the Moon” or Bowie’s “Diamond Dogs”. The cover was cool too. The members looking sharp in leather. Ian, of course, in his shades. Mick looks like he’s ready to go form Bad Company with Paul Rogers, but that’s a whole other thing.

This was the highest charted record for the band and my favorite release from Mott The Hoople. The previous year the band was seriously considering disbanding after four mediocre outings. It was perfect timing when they crossed paths with David Bowie & Mick Ronson and together they put out All The Young Dudes. It was a massive hit for the boys and restored their faith in themselves. The band got right back in the studio, self-producing this time, and in the middle of the summer of 1973 they released MOTT. Highlights:

“All the Way from Memphis” kicks the record off with a piano bangin’ rocker. This is such a great track and epitomizes the band’s sound. Ian Hunter playing that piano and Roxy Music’s Andy Mackay blowing that crazy tenor saxophone.

On a set of songs clocking in at least 4:00, “Honaloochie Boogie” comes in at two and a half minutes but was probably the biggest hit from this collection. Andy Mackay appears again here and is another Rock ‘n’ Roll tale from Ian Hunter. “Violence” offers a nice violin by Graham Preskit.

“Ballad of Mott the Hoople (26th March 1972, Zürich)”

Buffin lost his child-like dreams
And Mick lost his guitar
And Verden grew a line or two
And Overend’s just a rock’n’roll star
Behind these shades the visions fade
As I learn a thing or two
Oh but if I had my time again
You all know just what I’d do

“I’m a Cadillac / El Camino Dolo Roso” is a tour de force for Mick Ralphs. The Cadillac is another sweet rocker and delivers some nice electric guitar BUT the beauty comes in the second part. El Camino turns it way down acoustic style. Micks playing is gorgeous here. It’s his Mick Taylor / Time Waits for No One moment. This is my favorite cut on the album.

“I Wish I Was Your Mother” is all Ian Hunter. He’s carried this song with him through his solo career as well. Mick shines on the mandolin on this too!

An amazing album! The band put out one more record, “The Hoople”, but after that Ian left the group. The band released one more record and called it quits. Look into this one though. Most people think All The Young Dudes immediately when they hear Mott The Hoople. In my opinion, MOTT is the pinnacle of the bands 7 album, 5 year career. Ian Hunter has had a long, wonderful solo career and has released 22 albums of his own. Ian still tours with his band.

Ian Hunter – lead vocals; piano; acoustic guitar; rhythm guitar; echo vamper; arrangements
Mick Ralphs – lead guitar; backing vocals; organ; Moogotron; mandolins; tambourine; acoustic guitar; lead vocals
Pete “Overend” Watts – bass guitar; backing vocals & fuzz bass
Dale “Buffin” Griffin – drums; backing vocals

What’s Local with Joe Hirsh

We caught up recently with Bob Lanza, Mr. Blues to many, and an all-around good guy to everybody. Bob will be kicking off the Donaldson Farm Friday night series on June 18. For more about that go to donaldsonfarms.net.   

What are your general plans moving forward this year? 

We’re still working on our schedule but the goal is to do as many outdoor shows as possible. Really like the outdoor shows.  We headlined the Hunterdon County Blues Festival in early May and that was a great event. Looking forward to more gigs like that. 

Are you currently working on a new CD or similar project? 

Yeah, working on some new material. A CD is in the planning stages, hopefully ready by the end of the year. 

Do you have any specific events of note currently scheduled for this year?  

We’ve played at Donaldson Farms before and it was a fun time. Excited to be back there on June 18. Keep an eye on my website and Facebook page for more gigs.  The schedule is fluid.  

What is the best website or FB page for people to go to get updated band doings? You’ll find us at boblanzabluesband.com or on Facebook, facebook.com/bob.lanza.3.