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  SisDetroit (sis) 6-Zenith Username: sis Post Number: 445 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.43.206.95 |
Special event! Fortune Records legend -- Joe Weaver 70th Birthday Party !!!!! New Dodge Louge - Thursday, August 26 at 9:30PM! hosted by RJ's Rhythm Rockers (Joe's backup band): RJ Spangler - drums Paul Carey - guitar Shawn McDonald - piano/vocals Ben Luttermoser - stand-up bass Plus MANY GREAT GUEST MUSICIANS !!!! Blues/Vintage R&B/Jump/New Orleans R&B/Soul/Doo Wop New Dodge Lounge 9122 Joseph Campau Hamtramck, MI 313-874-5963 www.spanglerbluesproductions.c om Pianist/vocalist Joe Weaver started out in the early '50s playing blues, boogie-woogie and also R&B. He and his high school pal, Johnnie Bassett, started the Bluenotes and right away started winning local talent competitions. Joe, Johnnie and the band went on to work regular gigs around Detroit and also started recording. Their first hit was on the Deluxe label, called '1540 Special.' After that, the Bluenotes became the house band for Fortune Records, backing artists like Nolan Strong, Andre Williams, the Royal Jokers, Nathaniel Mayer and many others. They also recorded their own tunes - 'Baby I Love You So' was their biggest seller, and is still requested almost 50 years later. Joe ended up backing the Miracles on their first recording for Berry Gordy. This led to many more sessions and live gigs with Motown acts like Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder & Marvin Gaye. After the heyday of classic R&B ended, Joe went to work for the Ford Motor Company. Today, 31 years later, Joe has retired from Ford - and he's never forgotten about the music. Joe recently returned from his first gig in Europe (the prestigious Blues Estefette in Holland). His first recording in many years is out on Black Magic (a Dutch label) called, 'Baby I Love You So,' which contains new versions of his earlier hits as well as some new numbers. On this CD, Joe is joined by his old buddy Johnnie Bassett on guitar, as well as co-producers Bill Heid (piano) & R.J.Spangler (drums). Joe appeared in Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, an award winning documentary about Motown's Funk Brothers. Review There never would have been a "new" R&B if there hadn't been an original, and some of the best of that original sound is right here in Detroit. This old-school pro's time-tested credentials place him in a league his "new" rhythm and blues counterparts can only hope to enter on a very good day - if they're lucky and the entry fee has been lowered. In short, this cat is the real deal. If you want to know where it all started - and why where it started is in some ways better than where it ended up - then go check this guy out. History never sounded this good.- Keith A. Owens Discography Uncut Detroit Vol.3 Venture (2003, CD) The Jaguar Records Story (2002, CD) Motor City Rhythm & Blues Pioneers Blue Suit (2002 LP, CD) Baby I Love You So Black Magic (1999 LP, CD) - Click Here for a review. Itty Bitty Treasure Chest (compilation) Regency (1957 LP, Vinyl) Baby I Love You So (Joe Weaver & His Bluenote Orchestra) Regency (1955 LP, Vinyl) A Fortune of Blues (Joe Weaver & His Bluenote Orchestra) Regency(1954 LP, Vinyl) | ||
Ron Murphy (ron_murphy) 4-Laureate Username: ron_murphy Post Number: 132 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.42.90.140 |
thanks SisDetroit for the review on this upcoming event and the nice short story on Joe Weaver..he is one badd Detroit cat. | ||
Mark Speck (mark_speck) 4-Laureate Username: mark_speck Post Number: 152 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.188.137.54 |
I just wanna say this: if you're able to go to this event, DO SO! I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Weaver at the 2003 get-together at the Cass Cafe, and I found him to be a most cordial and delightful fellow. I have a picture of the two of us together, which I hope to scan and post here (as well as all of my other photos from that trip). Best, Mark | ||
sideburnslim (sideburnslim) 4-Laureate Username: sideburnslim Post Number: 95 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.41.175.175 |
The New Dodge is the best venue in Detroit/Ham town right now! | ||
sideburnslim (sideburnslim) 4-Laureate Username: sideburnslim Post Number: 101 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.41.175.175 |
What a show! It was like droping in on a session at Fortune records. The image of Joe Weaver, Nathaniel Mayer and Spyder Turner embracing to celebrate Joe's 70th was incredible. There were so many great performances and a good time was had by all. This one will be remembered for a long long time. Detroit yea! | ||
SisDetroit (sis) 6-Zenith Username: sis Post Number: 469 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.43.206.95 |
I missed another winner. I know it was incredible. Happy Birthday Joe Weaver! | ||
Gee (gausden) 3-Pundit Username: gausden Post Number: 33 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.231.183.151 |
Yep Sis you Did RJ great job on the Party It was so much fun Sideburn dont forget getting 225 to Spyder | ||
RJ Spangler (rj_spangler) 1-Arriviste Username: rj_spangler Post Number: 9 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 152.163.252.200 |
I didn't see this thread earlier! Cool! Yeah, we had a blast. No too often you can see Joe Weaver, Stanley Mitchell, Kenny martin, Spyder Turner, Nate Mayer, Terry Thunder and Alberta Adams all in one room. For you Fortune-o-files out there; did you know Alberta's late son, James Drayton, was a Five Dollar/Don Juan? I hear Charles Evans the bass singer is in poor health but Lonnie is OK. Joe Weaver told me today that Robert Allen, one of the original Bluesnotes, passed away over the weekend. He was not that old either! | ||
Carl Dixon (carl_dixon) 4-Laureate Username: carl_dixon Post Number: 117 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.153.219.170 |
RJ - Tell Joe I was thinking of him over his birthday celebrations. He was a gentleman when I met him in The Cass Cafe last year. I will never forget the hug he gave our own Mr. Magic, when he found out that one of his idles was his old chum Jackie Wilson. Very emotional.... By the way, how's things going with you? I guess it's been a complicated year? | ||
RJ Spangler (rj_spangler) 2-Debutant Username: rj_spangler Post Number: 11 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 68.42.251.66 |
Joe is a beautiful cat for sure! Remember Joe and my boys will be playing at the Dally in the Alley this coming Saturday, September 11. http://dallyinthealley.com/ As for me, I am now living 4 miles from my old house in a nice little townhouse/condo. I have Alberta Adams, Joe Weaver, the R&B Pioneers and Odessa Harris all working and I do occasional projects with Johnnie Bassett & Thornetta Davis, all of which keep me fairly busy, after the slowest winter & spring of my career. My little band, the Rhythm Rockers backs all the above groups, with the exception of Odessa (who often is paired with Mr. Bassett), and works many dates regionally as a self contained aggregation. My only concern right now is I would like to get something going with Geno Parks, who is still a fantastic singer! | ||
Nikki (45rpmgal) 3-Pundit Username: 45rpmgal Post Number: 61 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.206.46.218 |
R.J. I am glad to hear that you found a new place to live (after all you've been thru) and are still putting on great shows! I wished I lived closer, in order to be able attend! As to Gino Parks, we saw him in DC a few months ago, at the Reunion tribute for R&B pioneers. Gino sang with Jay (Johnson)of the Diablos and my "other half", Jim Dunn! (Check our website for photos & details!). Anyway, Jay has all of Gino's info (address, phone # etc.). The only problem (for you now) would be is that Gino lives in Atlanta!!! Email me directly, if you need Jay's phone # (if you don't already have it), if you still want to get in touch with Gino. In harmony, Nikki http://www.harmonytrain.com | ||
RJ Spangler (rj_spangler) 2-Debutant Username: rj_spangler Post Number: 19 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
I have all of Geno's contact info, we do keep in touch! I have brought him to Detroit several times (one time we reunited him with Andre Williams -- Detroit Sis has pics). I took him to Europe last year. I would LOVE to record him as he is still singing great, as I am sure you heard. He is the nicest guy too, a real gent. I would LOVE to get him some gigs around Atlanta or anywhere, but nothing has really come together. We put out a 3 song mini CD of Geno live on Willy Wilson's show on WDET. You can get it at: www.eastlawnrecords.com | ||
SisDetroit (sis) 6-Zenith Username: sis Post Number: 615 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.43.206.95 |
Yes, that's right. Don't forget, the DooWop Doll was there as well.  Check it out: http://motownsoul0.tripod.com/ id1.html |
