By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 05:00 pm:

The word is that Nathaniel Mayer and his energetic backing band, the Shanks, wowed 'em last Sunday in Ottawa:

http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=c24eeda9-43a1-4094-a49b-9d7fe4e69096

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 10:42 pm:

What a great story! ...Not just a concert review, but he followed Nate around!

And I love the detail that Sandy from the Fly-Rite Boys saw Nate at the Ponderosa Stomp. The Ponderosa was great, we need a series like that in Detroit.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 10:56 pm:

Fury13 - Thank you for that great story. I felt as if I was right there. Nathaniel is great and he does "come to please." Very energetic. When will he be in my area? I need a Nathaniel fix. :o)

By David Meikle (81.130.211.124) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 09:28 am:

Thanks Fury13

I'd love to Nathaniel sing one day.

David

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 11:53 am:

Nate really needs to perform in the UK and Europe. That's something we're working on.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.106.8) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 12:20 pm:

I talked to Nathaniel at last years Sept. Labor-fest at Wayne State Univ. in Detroit. We talked about the wild and crazy times we both had at the Wayne show bar back in the early 60s.
Again he's one of the good guys.He's very approachable and if you ever get to see him,try and talk to him as he's very nice to everyrone.

I don't know if he's going to be at this years Labor-fest held on Labor-day honoring Michigans great unions but if he is or isn't, get down there for some really good entertainment from Detroit musicians and singers.

The best part is that it's all free,even the food.

The only drawback is we have to be subjected to the pompus pontificating of our local politicians and union officials.
A minor thing since it's all free.
Thats the time to talk to your favorite Detroit singer or musician as they usually set up a table to the side of the stage for them to sign their cds. I can almost guarantee that your questions to them will be answered with respect and humour

Nathaniel,I hope your going to be able to make it.
Lynn

By fortunebrave (67.35.117.23) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 09:31 pm:

I'm working on a story on Nate for MOJO magazine. He told me about a white guitarist he loved who played the string-shredding solo on "Leave Me Alone," as well as the one on the Diablos' "Mind Over Matter." He remembers his name as Chuck but can't recall his last name, and says he also played with Johnny and the Hurrricanes and later, Rare Earth. Any Soulful Detroit experts that can help me with Chuck's last name or any other info on him would be greatly appreciated. Anyone whose ever listened to the these two superb records knows that it's that guitar--in tandem with some solidly rockin' drums--that just take things over the cliff. Thanks! --Michael Hurtt

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 10:01 pm:

Yeah, Michael, I've been trying to find out who that guitar player was (on "Leave Me Alone") for awhile now, too. Nate told me the same thing. Chuck... who? Anyone? Whoever he was, he was ahead of his time. If it's truly the same guy on Nolan Strong's "Mind Over Matter," I have to think he was in some way -- if only subliminally -- responsible for Keith Richards' "Start Me Up" opener, since it seems to be derived from the "Mind Over Matter" riff.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 10:02 pm:

Incidentally, Jeff Meier of the Shanks (formerly of the Detroit Cobras and Rocket 455) plays the "Leave Me Alone" lead just like on the 45! Incredible... really something to hear.

By fortune brave (66.157.83.251) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 10:22 pm:

I played guitar behind Nate down here in New Orleans at the Ponderosa Stomp and I tried to play it just like the record as well...Jeff's a great musician--so I'd expect nothing less of him! I just wish I could have seen the Ottowa show. Well, hopefully we can track Chuck down and tell him what big fans we are of his playing. When Nate told me that he played on "MInd Over Matter" it all made sense--because I always figured it had to be the same guy. Also, "Leave Me Alone" was the very next record in the Fortune 500 series after "Mind Over Matter," so it seems they could have been cut right around the same time.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 01:45 pm:

Right, it had to have been in the summer or fall of '62.

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Wednesday, August 06, 2003 - 01:33 pm:

Just found this review of Nathaniel at Graffiti's and the Silver Dollar in Toronto, July 11:

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2003-07-17/music_livereviews2.php

Once again, Nate tore 'em up!