MICK WEAVER

Biography

Bands/Discography:

Fantastic keyboardist (he's a maestro playing organ), during part of his lenghty career he also played under the pseudonym of Wynder K. Frog, named as one of his bands.

WYNDER K. FROG   

This is the first I know from Mick. This band was commanded by him. With superb musicians inside.

They played a mixed bag between blues and jazz. Lots of covers in their albums, with Mick's passionate Hammond organ as lead instrument.

Their first album is called Sunshine super frog, and as I haven't found it, I don't know the musicians in it. Help, please!
 

(original scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

Out of the frying pan is their second album, with a funny cover. Guesting here, some Chris Mercer old companions: the horn section from John Mayall: Dick Heckstall Smith and Henry Lowther. I love this album. It includes covers from Rolling Stones ('Jumpin' Jack Flash') and several known songs, plus some others written by Mick.

They split in late 1968, but they released later a third album, Into the fire, only available in the States. Recorded with the same lineup, plus help from Shawn Phillips on guitar and vocals.

WOODEN FROG (aka Mason - Capaldi - Wood - Frog)  &nbbsp;

When Steve Winwood dissolved Traffic for the first time in January 1969, to join supergroup Blind Faith, the rest of musicians joined Mick, who had split his own band, Wynder K. Frog.

But this was a very short-lived band, as they broke two months later, in March 1969, after having played a gig in the same bill as Jimi Hendrix, at Royal Albert Hall, as well as recording some sessions for the BBC.

THE GREASE BAND   

After Joe Cocker and The Grease Band parted ways, the band reformed (without Joe) again in June 1970.

They released the eponymous album, The Grease Band. They also worked in the Jesus Christ Superstar album, as we'll see in the sessions section. Some time later, they change the drummer: After a couple of USA tours, they split in December 1971. Spenner, Hubbard and Stainton will form the Chris Stainton Band.

KEEF HARTLEY BAND   

This fantastic band, commanded by Keef Hartley, changed their lineup for their second album:

They release their second album, The battle of North West Six, another superb album. It was still recorded with Spit James in the band, with contributions from Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones) guesting on guitar on one track. Plus Mick Weaver (keyboards), Mike Davis (trumpet), Harry Beckett (trumpet, fluegelhorn), Lynn Dobson (tenor saxophone, flute), Chris Mercer (tenor saxophone), Barbara Thompson (baritone saxophone, flute) and Ray Warleigh (flute).

When they were recording their third album, The time is near, Lowther and Jewell leave the band:

But these new members don't stay long time in the band. The lineup changes to an incredible quartet: They release Overdog, with help from former member Dino Dines (keyboards) and Colosseum drummer Jon Hiseman. Next step was the opposite. Keef records a live album in the Marquee in London, with a big band. Appropiately called Little big band. They toured with a big lineup, up to 20 members sometimes.


(cover of The Best of Keef Hartley)

JOE COCKER BAND   

In July 1974, Mick reunites with Henry McCullough again, this time playing for Joe Cocker, who had a brand new album for release, I can't stand a little rain (Aug 74, Cube). This was the live band that toured to promote it.

They toured until August 1974, when some kind of problems broke the band, although Mick and Joe stayed together, searching for new musicians.

JOE COCKER & THE COCK'N'BULL BAND   

Assembled in August 1974, to be able to continue the tour. Here he came the superb Albert Lee on guitar, along with his colleague Pete Gavin (both were playing together in the band Head, Hands and Feet).

But after a while, Greg Brown was fired, being substituted by Andy Denno. They split in December 1974, when Mick left the band.

FRANKIE MILLER BAND   

Very fine and passionate singer, he has always had fantastic musicians in his bands (also, check out my Chris Mercer page). In 1975, he assembled this great band:

They released only an album, The rock, produced by Elliot Mazer, but in 1976, when they came back to England after a tour, Frankie changed completely the musicians in the band.
And then?   

I only have tracked sessions during this period between Frankie Miller and Ronnie Lane. Help, please!

RONNIE LANE BAND   

This was the lineup for Ronnie Lane band in July 1980:

ERIC BURDON BAND   

Eric assembles a new band around 1980.


(scan courtesy of Mike Tolan)

The album Darkness-darkness, produced by Tony Meehan (from The Shadows), was recorded in Ireland. It's full of R&R covers (Doc Pomus & Phil Spector, Leiber & Stoller, Chuck Berry), and the band who recorded it was: Eric Burdon (vocals), Brian Robertson (guitar, from Thin Lizzy and Wild Horses), Bobby Tench (guitar), Henry McCullough (guitar), Chris Stewart (bass), Mick Weaver (keyboards), Glenn Penniston (drums), Mel Collins (horns), John Perry (backing vocals). The album mentions a special thanks to Ronnie Lane for the use of his mobile studio.

RONNIE LANE BAND 

When Ronnie Lane played again in London in July 1980, Mick Weaver was part of his band:

STEVE MARRIOTT & RONNIE LANE 

Old bandmates Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane played a gig with the Blind Drunk band on September 1981:

They also recorded an album (working title: Majic Mijits) that still remains unreleased. Oh, someone should release it!!
FRANKIE MILLER BAND (again) 

Around 1982, Mick came back to Frankie Miller band:

I don't know how much time Mick spent this time in the band. Any help, please?

And then?   

I don't know in which bands Mick played among 1982 and 1990. Help, please!!!

ROGER CHAPMAN & THE SHORTLIST   

Around 1990, Mick joined this great singer, whose famous past bands include Family and Streetwalkers.

I don't know how much time Mick spent with Roger. Does anybody know?

In 1999, it has been released a double live album by Roger Chapman, featuring Mick. This is the lineup featured there:


(scan courtesy of Alex Gitlin)

The 2CD album is called In my own time (live), But it doesn't show any clue about the year of recording. Obviously, it's an old recording, but can someone help with info about the approximate period, please?

And then?   

Again, I only have tracked sessions during this period between Roger Chapman and Taj Mahal. Help, please!

TAJ MAHAL & THE PHANTOM BLUES BAND   

Currently, Mick is in the band of this great bluesman. He was born Henry St. Clair Fredericks, and formed the band Rising Sons with Ry Cooder. His albums are like a blues encyclopedia, full of fantastic covers from classic songs from the blues or soul camp, although he also writes fantastic songs of his own (his own songs are usually my favourite ones from his albums!).


(my copy of Dancing The Blues, signed by Taj Mahal)

I think Mick still wasn't a member of Taj's band when Dancing the blues album was recorded. With Etta James guesting on vocals on a duet with Taj in the song "Mockingbird", plus Johnny Lee Schell (guitar, now in John Fogerty band), Mick Weaver (keyboards), Ian McLagan (keyboards), Billy Payne (keyboards), Bob Glaub (bass), Tony Braunagel (drums), Richie Hayward (drums). It contains several of their great songs, such as "Hard way" or "Strut".

For the Phantom blues album, Taj Mahal is backed by a good nucleus of musicians: Jon Cleary (guitar, keyboards), Johnn Lee Schell (guitar), Larry Fulcher (bass), Mick Weaver (keyboards), Joe Sublett (sax), Darrell Leonard (trumpet), Tony Braunagel (drums), with stellar guests: Eric Clapton (guitar on 2 tracks), Mike Cambell (guitar, from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Bonnie Raitt (vocals). Some other musicians: Dean Parks (guitar), John Parks (guitar), James "Hutch" Hutchinson (bass), David Hidalgo (accordion). Produced by John Porter, who also plays some lead guitar. It was recorded from May 8-14, 1995. The album contains my favourite Taj song, the incredible "Lovin' in my baby's eyes", a new rendition of Doc Pomus classic song "Lonely avenue", as well as covers of Freddie King or Fats Domino. A superb album.


(my copy of Señor Blues, signed by Taj Mahal)

Well, it was difficult, but Taj did it. Señor blues is even better! The band is very compact.

(from left to right: Cleary, Schell, Taj, Braunagel, Fulcher, Sublett, Leonard, and Mick Weaver on the right corner)

I love every song there, but I'll mention some: the lovely "Queen bee", and the contagious rhythm of "Think" or "Mr. Pitiful".

The live band was a bit different, as Johnny Lee Schell goes to play with John Fogerty. Here he comes a veteran musician, Denny Freeman, who has several solo albums. Jon Cleary is not part of the live band, so Mick plays both organ and piano parts.

This is the band I had the luck of watching live on July 18, 1998. Yeah, I'll never forget it! Please, believe me, if they come to your city, don't lose the chance to enjoy their great live performance!!! Soon, you'll be able to read here my complete review of the concert and about my experience meeting Mick, Taj and the whole band, so come back to this page soon.

NOTE:

Everywhere I read or look for info, it seems that everybody confuses about Mick Weaver and Blue Weaver. Both are keyboardists, both played during the same period in the British scene. But they AREN'T the same person, of course. Blue Weaver will also have his own page in my Olympus someday. But if this wasn't enough messy, now it seems there is a 2nd Mick Weaver. Also a keyboardist (!!), he played with The Fairies in the late 60s, but they AREN'T the same Mick Weaver! I know, it sounds weird, but Mick Weaver has confirmed me that he was never involved with The Fairies.

Sessions

Press here to read about Mick Weaver sessions

Related links: From the always interesting Alex's Picks (by Alex Gitlin), we have: From the superb site Knights in Blue Denim: The British Blues Scene '68 - '70 (by Christer Fridhammar & Vanja), we have:
Musicians mentioned in this page that I have projected to cover in my site someday:

Family tree

Coming soon (I hope so!).

Thanks section

Very special thanks to: Mick Weaver, for his kindness and his music; Taj Mahal, for great help.

Special thanks to: Mike Tolan, for his Eric Burdon album scan.

Thanks to: Alex Gitlin and Boris Shnitzer, for restless support and encouragement; Jaap van Moppes, for allowing me to use two album scans from Iain Matthews; Rafael Zamora, for info about Fat Mattress.


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Page created by Miguel Terol on: 21/August/1998. Last modified on: 18/August/2000. 1