Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang Live at Django's, Potsdam, New York 12-8-1984.
Eddie Shaw (March 20, 1937 – January 29, 2018) was an American Chicago blues tenor saxophonist, arranger and bandleader. He led Howlin' Wolf's band, the Wolf Gang, from 1972, both before Wolf's death in 1976 and subsequently.
Chicago blues legend Eddie Shaw and his band, the Wolf Gang, made regular North Country appearances in the late 70s and early 80s. NCPR's Josh Sacco recorded them live at the popular music venue and watering hole, Django's, in Potsdam NY, for his program North Country Music.
The Band:
Eddie Shaw: vocals, saxophone and harp
"Vann" Shaw: guitar
"Shorty" Gilbert: bass
"Slim" Holt: drums
Bobby Dixon: piano
-First Set:
01. Watermelon Man (Herbie Hancock)
02. Instrumental
03.. When It Rains It Pours
04. How Long?
05. Ain't Nobody's Business
06.. [band intro]
07. No More Doggin'
08. Big Boss Man
09. Got My Mojo Workin'
10. We Gonna Make It
11. Instrumental
-Second Set:
01. Since I Met You Baby *
02. Kansas City *
03. Cross Cut Saw
04.. Blues With A Feelin'
05. How Long?
06. Got Everything You'll Ever Need
07. My 44
08. Forty Days, Forty Nights
09. Just Treat Her Right
10. Nadine
-Third Set:
01. Key to the Highway
02. Lucille
03. [Eddie]
04. Blues In My Bed
05. Got My Mojo Workin'
06. Instrumental
07. Instrumental
08. I Believe My Time Ain't Long
09. Sweet Home Chicago
* The great Lafayette Shorty Gilbert on vocals.
b. 20 March 1937, Benoit, Mississippi, USA. Shaw grew up in neighbouring Greenville and learned to play clarinet and trombone before choosing the saxophone. He played with local jump-blues bands (including one led by Ike Turner) and sat in with Muddy Waters in 1957. Waters hired him immediately and he moved to Chicago. Once there he associated with Howlin’ Wolf and Magic Sam, and recorded with both. He also fronted his own band on vocals and saxophone. Eddie also ran the 1815 Club in Chicago, wrote and arranged songs for other artists, learned to play blues harmonica, and has recorded as band leader for Mac Simmons’ label, for Alligator Records Living Chicago Blues project, and for the Isabel and Rooster companies. His son Eddie ‘Vaan’ Shaw was a member of his band, the Wolf Gang.
R.I.P. Frank Carcaterra 1953 - 2018.
Frank Joseph Carcaterra passed away on September 5, 2018. He was born in Yonkers, NY on October 9, 1953 where he was raised by his parents the late Peter and Winifred (Farnan) Carcaterra. Frank was the youngest of four children and attended Lincoln High School. After high school, he moved to Potsdam, NY. There, along with his lifelong friend, Joe DiMatteo, he opened the popular bar and music venue, DJANGO'S. In Potsdam, he met and married Ann O'Connor. They had one daughter, Maggie. In the late 80's the family moved to Saratoga Springs, NY, where he lived and worked as a bartender until his passing. Frank was avid fan of racing, and every racetrack goer made visiting "Frank's bar" their first stop when they got to Saratoga. He would buy their first drink and wish them a hardy and sincere "Welcome to Saratoga". Through the years he could be found at The Parting Glass, The Wishing Well and Sperry's. A true lover of music and a talented musician, Frank played drums and sang with several bands throughout his life; The Racquette River Rounders, The Rolling Clones, Johnny and the Triumphs and The Off Track Band.
