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We get off to a very flat start with a ‘showbizzy’ ‘If I Can’t See You’ where, for whatever reason,
Ann’s repeated questions to the audience “Hello Memphis, how you doing?” are greeted with
hardly any response! ‘Part Time Love’ picks up the pace but the sound is a bit thin, ‘I Feel Like
Breaking Up Somebody’s Home’ and ‘I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down’ are better with
Ann’s vocals being fine but with the band not being quite on it.

On ‘Let Your Love Light Shine’ things start to come together with the band hitting a groove
and Ann and the backing singers soaring over the top – BUT this is the penultimate song of the
set. We finish with ‘I Can’t Stand the Rain’ but the backing seems a bit ‘plinky-plonky’ and
towards the end the MC suddenly says “We gotta go…” and the song grinds to a halt –
presumably to bring on the bill-topping Otis Clay.

I found this an unsatisfying album, the sound isn’t good, it’s a short set that doesn’t include
some of her hits like ‘99 Pounds’ and ‘Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love’ and although Ann’s
voice is great throughout, the band don’t quite cut it with the same authority as on the
records.

Graham Harrison

The Nighthawks—Established 1972—Vizztone ASIN :
B09RVTY733

Washington DC's The Nighthawks 'the hardest working bar
band in the world' celebrate their Golden Anniversary with
this 14-track album of blues and old skool R&B. Mark Wenner
is still out front on vocals and harp but the other current
members of the band also take their turns with singing and
helping out with songwriting. They are Don Hovey (guitar),
Paul Pisciotta (bass) and Mark Stutso (drums), with Tommy
Lepson guesting on keyboards for two cuts. The album was
produced by longtime associate David Earl in his Severn
Sound Studios in Annapolis Md.

Opener 'Nobody' was a ‘60s hit for Bruce Channel and 'I’ll Come Running Back to You' is a
cover of a 50's Sam Cooke song, whereas 'You Seem Different' is by Don Hovey with Don on
vocals and guitar. 'Take It Slow' is a nice relaxed reading of the Jimmy Reed song and we also
get a muscular take on the old reggae song 'Johnny Too Bad'. 'Ask Me Nice' is a jazzy stop-time

blues by Mose Allison, while Rayford Starke’s 'West Memphis' is a laid back blues ballad and
'Ain’t That Lovin’ You' is a rocked-up run through the old Ivory Joe Hunter song.

The closing songs are mainly band originals — the funky 'Gas Station Chicken', the mid-tempo
'Fuss and Fight' featuring nice harp and guitar solos and the tender country ballad 'Driving'
but we also get an amusing rehash of The Coasters' 'Run Red Run'. This is a great way to
celebrate 50 years in the business with Mark and the band showing that after all this time they
can still stay true to their blues roots while producing an album that is accessible and has lots
of variety.

Graham Harrison