Powerhouse Records

THE NIGHTHAWKS EXPLORE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE ON NEW CD, DUE FEBRUARY 3, 2009 FROM POWERHOUSE RECORDS
1ST STUDIO ALBUM IN FIVE YEARS FROM SEMINAL ROOTS BAND CONTINUES TO TRAVERSE A VARIED TURF OF BLUES, SOUL, ROCK, R&B AND SWING SOUNDS
WASHINGTON, DC – The Nighthawks, one of the premier seminal American roots bands of the past 35 years, will release their first studio album in five years, American Landscape, on February 3, 2009 via Powerhouse Records, distributed nationally by Redeye. The new CD marks the studio album debut of the band’s current lineup, in place for the past five years, with original members Mark Wenner (harmonica, lead vocals) and Pete Ragusa (drums, vocals) joined by Paul Bell (guitar, vocals) and Johnny Castle (bass and vocals). American Landscape was produced by The Nighthawks and recorded/mixed at several studios in the band’s hometown area of Washington, DC.
Since the group formed in 1972 and released its first album in 1974, The Nighthawks have been one of the hardest working, most consistent bands of its generation, averaging over 250-275 dates a year and endearing themselves to audiences all over the world with their blue-collar work ethic and universal musical appeal. Two ingredients in the band’s sound have remained constant over the years: the searing blues harp and soulful vocals of Mark Wenner and the solid, rhythmic drumming and vocals of Pete Ragusa.
A roots rock band before the term was used to describe its music, The Nighthawks developed a sound which showcases a talent for combining the diverse elements that make up the entire roots music palette - blues, rock, R&B. rockabilly, soul and swing – to create an original form onto the band, itself. Drawing from a well-spring of talent from the band’s individual members, adding a dynamic live performance presence that keeps audiences coming back for more, and projecting a soulfulness and honesty that transcends the music for a truly visceral experience, The Nighthawks are a unique American music phenomenon.
That tradition continues on American Landscape, as the “new blood” additions of Bell and Castle meld seamlessly with founding members Wenner and Ragusa, to create an even stronger power and energy in The Nighthawks that’s clearly evident from the driving, bluesy opening track, “Big Boy.” The Nighthawks continue to mine the American roots songbook on the rest of the album, with unique covers of music from Lazy Lester (“Made Up My Mind”), Ike Turner (“Matchbox”), Sam and Dave (“Don’t Turn Your Heater Down”), Marvin Gaye (“Try It Baby”), Dan Penn (“Standing In the Way”) and Bob Dylan (“She Belongs to Me” and “Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine).” The band also tips its collective hat to acclaimed writer/director David Simon by dedicating the album to him and performing the title song of his fantastic HBO series, The Wire, “”Down In the Hole,” written by Tom Waits. Over the years, Simon has been a big supporter of the band and featured them onscreen in the second season of The Wire, as well as his NBC series, Homicide: Life on the Street, also using The Nighthawks music throughout both show’s soundtracks. The two original songs on American Landscape are penned by bassist Johnny Castle: the funky, hook-laden rock of “Where Do You Go” and the Cajun/Zydeco-flavored-meets-country-blues of “Jana Lea,” guaranteed to get fans on the dance floor. Continuing the group’s tremendous creativity and versatility, they close out the new CD with “Fishin’ Hole Theme” from The Andy Griffith Show, translating the whistle-along to a country blues/swing number that will surely bring a smile.
Both Johnny Castle and Paul Bell are no strangers to The Nighthawks, having played in several side aggregations with band members over the past several decades. Johnny Castle also spent a number of years with Bill Kirchen’s band; and Paul Bell has previously played with Nils Lofgren (Bruce Springsteen) and Tommy Lepson (Tom Principato). Bell and Castle first appeared on disc as members of the band three years ago when The Nighthawks released a live CD/DVD set, Blue Moon in Your Eye: Live at the Barns at Wolf Trap.
The Nighthawks will tour endlessly in support of the new album’s release, with booking representation by Blue Mountain Artists (www.bluemountainartists.com). For more information, visit www.thenighthawks.com or www.powerhouserecords.com.
NEW TOM PRINCIPATO CD-"RAISING THE ROOF!"
NEW DANNY GATTON CD-"LIVE IN 1977-THE HUMBLER STAKES HIS CLAIM"
THE TOM PRINCIPATO BAND IS RAISING THE ROOF ON NEW CD, DUE March 4, 2008, ON POWERHOUSE RECORDS
WASHINGTON, DC – Powerhouse Records announces a March 4, 2008, release date for Raising the Roof, the new album from guitarist extraordinaire Tom Principato and his band, distributed nationally by Redeye Distribution and released to the European market by Dixie Frog/Voodoo Records.
Tom Principato’s latest CD builds on the universal acclaim for his 2005 release, Guitar Gumbo, which won awards from the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) for “Best Blues Recording” and “Best Blues Vocalist.” In addition to Principato on guitar and vocals, the band features John Perry on bass and backup vocals, Josh Howell on percussion, and Joe Wells on drums. On Raising the Roof, the Tom Principato Band is joined by long-time DC-area favorite Tommy Lepson, who contributes his soulful Hammond B3 organ playing and vocals, as well as several other special guests. The new album showcases nine songs (including 6 originals) that demonstrate the breadth of Tom’s musical influences ranging from blues, jazz and rock, to funk, reggae and New Orleans sounds.
The three covers include a jazzy workout of Jimmy Smith’s “8 Counts for Rita,” a cooking take on J.J. Cale’s “Lies,” and a new version of Louis Jordan’s “Fish Fry” that brings on the funk and Jamaican flavors to this R&B classic, a long-time staple of the band’s live shows..
Powerhouse Records is a Washington DC-based artist-oriented label.The focus is on American roots music. Powerhouse Records was founded in 1983 by guitarist Tom Principato as a vehicle to re-issue an LP of his group Powerhouse and has grown to include releases over the years by such artists as Tom Principato, Danny Gatton, Roy Buchanan, The Nighthwaks, Bob Margolin, John Mooney, Big Joe Maher, Kevin McKendree, Mark Wenner, Blazing Telecasters, Powerhouse, Tommy Lepson Band, and Steve Wolf & Swing Speak.
Selected Powerhouse releases are Distributed by Redeye Dist. of North Carolina USA and many realeases are licensed for release to the European market through Dixie Frog/Voodoo Records of Paris, France.
POWERHOUSE RECORDS RELEASE LISTING
NEW RELEASES!!!! TOM PRINCIPATO BAND "RAISING THE ROOF! POW-125 and "DANNY GATTON LIVE IN 1977 "THE HUMBLER STAKES HIS CLAIM" POW-124
Powerhouse Records is proud to present the latest release from our "Guitarchves" Series--"Danny Gatton Live In 1977-The Humbler Stakes His Claim" This release is comprised of newly discovered and previously unheard recordings made by Danny Gatton's sound engineer Chris Murphy throughout 1977 and 1978. What distinguishes these recordings from other live recordings is that these recordings were actually made with microphones placed in the audience, so there is a real feeling of being right there in the club with glasses clanking and audience responses, rather than the more sterile sound of a "board mix". The set list features some Gatton repetoire standbys such as "Harlem Nocturne" two very different versions (one which features a cameo by the late Dick Heintze on Hammond Organ), "Fingers On Fire", Nit Pickin'", "Canadian Sunset" and two scorching renditions of "Sweet Georgia Brown" as well as obscure songs like Cal Tjader's "Soul Sauce" and two Blues numbers: the slow blues "Danny's Blues" and the shuffle "Walkin' With Danny". A must for Gatton and guitar fans!!!!
TOMMY LEPSON-PUTTY AND PAINT POW-127
THE NIGHTHAWKS-AMERICAN LANDSCAPE POW-126
TOM PRINCIPATO BAND-RAISING THE ROOF! POW-125
DANNY GATTON LIVE IN 1977-THE HUMBLER STAKES HIS CLAIM POW-124
TOM PRINCIPATO-GUITAR GUMBO-POW-123
TOM PRINCIPATO/DANNY GATTON-BLAZING TELECASTERS POW-4036
ROY BUCHANAN AMERICAN AXE-LIVE IN 1974-POW-116
DANNY GATTON- UNFINISHED BUSINESS-POW-118
KEVIN MCKENDREE-HAMMERS & STRINGS-POW-120
POWERHOUSE - NIGHT LIFE P-100/102 Provogue PRD 70182
TOM PRINCIPATO-SMOKIN'! - P-101
TOM PRINCIPATO-I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKIN' P-103
TOMMY LEPSON BAND-AM 53-POW-114
BIG JOE MAHER & THE DYNAFLOWS-GOOD ROCKIN' DADDY-POW-4103
SWINGSPEAK- WELL SPOKEN-POW-111
T. PRINCIPATO/D. GATTON-OH NO! MORE BLAZING TELECASTERS- POW-121
TOM PRINCIPATO-IN ORBIT-POW-4032
TOM PRINCIPATO-IN THE CLOUDS -POW-4203 Newly Re-mastered Deluxe Edition w/2 bonus cuts rel. 5/12/06
TOM PRINCIPATO-TIP OF THE ICEBERG-POW-6102
TOM PRINCIPATO-LIVE & KICKIN'-POW-109
TOM PRINCIPATO-NOT ONE WORD-POW-110
TOM PRINCIPATO BAND-LIVE IN EUROPE 1988-POW-112
TOM PRINCIPATO-/PETE KENNEDY-FINGERS ON FIRE-POW-113
SWINGSPEAK-LIVE IN THE ALLEY-POW-115
TOM PRINCIPATO-HOUSE ON FIRE-POW-117
TOM PRINCIPATO-ANNIVERSARY CD-POW-119
TOMMY LEPSON BAND-LIVE AT SWEET CAROLINES-POW-122
TOM PRINCIPATO-REALLY BLUE-VDCD-115
TOM PRINCIPATO-BLUES OVER THE YEARS-VDCD-122
DVD'S
TOM PRINCIPATO/DANNY GATTON-BLAZING TELECASTERS 1984-POW-6152
TOM PRINCIPATO-ANNIVERSARY DVD-POW-6153