Nathaniel Mayer
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel Mayer was a rhythm & blues singer who started his career in the early 1960s at Fortune Records
in Detroit. "Nay Dog" or "Nate," as he was also known, had a raw, highly energetic vocal
style and wild stage show.
After a 35 year absence from music, in 2002 Mayer began recording and touring again, releasing albums with Fat Possum, Alive Records
and Norton Records
.
, a Detroit record label
owned by Jack and Devora Brown. There he became label-mates with fellow Fortune stars Nolan Strong and Andre Williams
. Mayer would stay with the label for six years, recording a handful of records.
When Mayer was 18 years old he scored a Top 40 hit record
in 1962 with "Village of Love," credited to Nathaniel Mayer and The Fabulous Twilights. It was originally released on Fortune Records
, who then leased the record to United Artists Records
for wider distribution.
Follow-ups such as "Leave Me Alone" (late '62) and "I Had A Dream" ('63) failed to duplicate the success of "Village of Love" (although both records, especially "Leave Me Alone," sold well regionally). In 1966, Mayer released "I Want Love and Affection (Not The House Of Correction)," a funky offering in the James Brown
vein. He then split with Fortune Records due to differences. http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=11858
Disappearing into the ghettos of East Detroit for the next two decades, rumors compounded, turning Mayer into a walking urban legend.
However, after Norton Records released "I Don't Want No Bald-Headed Woman Telling Me What to Do" in 2002 (a never before released recording from 1968), Mayer was inspired to record and perform again.http://www.ponderosastomp.com/music_more.php/38/Nathaniel+Mayer
Mayer staged a full fledged musical comeback in 2002. His once-sweet soul scream had deepened to a rasping growl, giving his latter albums a whole new feel. He played club
s and festivals, gaining a new generation of fans with his exciting live shows. http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=11858
In 2004 Mayer returned to the studio
to record
I Just Want to Be Held for Fat Possum Records
, a Mississippi
label known mostly for releasing records by obscure bluesmen. In 2005 he toured with fellow Fat Possum artist The Black Keys
. In 2006 Stardumb Records
, a record label based out of the Netherlands
, released a 7" single
featuring three songs taken from the Fat Possum album
.http://www.fatpossum.com/artists/mayer.html
Mayer's last sessions were released across two albums, 2007's Why Don't You Give It To Me? and 2009's Why Won't You Let Me Black?, both on Alive Records
and featuring Dan Auerbach
of The Black Keys
, Matthew Smith of Outrageous Cherry
, Troy Gregory
of The Dirtbombs
, and Dave Shettler of SSM
and The Sights
.
Today, Mayer's influence can be heard in multiple soul and garage bands. The Detroit Cobras
remade "Village of Love" in 1996. While "Leave Me Alone" was remade by The Hard Feelings and Holly Golightly
, Eve Monsees, The Exiles and the Gibson Brothers
have all recorded "I Had A Dream."
Fortune Records
Fortune Records was a family operated, independent record label located in Detroit, Michigan from 1946 to 1995. The label owners were Jack and Devora Brown, their son Sheldon Brown recorded for the label...
in Detroit. "Nay Dog" or "Nate," as he was also known, had a raw, highly energetic vocal
Human voice
The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
style and wild stage show.
After a 35 year absence from music, in 2002 Mayer began recording and touring again, releasing albums with Fat Possum, Alive Records
Alive Records
Alive Naturalsound Records – also known simply as Alive Records – started in 1994 in Los Angeles, California, by Patrick Boissel, is an independent record label specializing in garage rock, punk blues, garage punk, psychedelic rock, power pop and blues-rock music. It grew out of Boissel's...
and Norton Records
Norton Records
For the Canadian independent record label of the same name, see Matt Minglewood.Norton Records, a New York City based independent record label founded by musicians Miriam Linna and Billy Miller, maintains a focus on primitive, retro rock'n'roll, rockabilly, garage punk, garage rock, lounge music...
.
Career
Mayer started his career at Fortune RecordsFortune Records
Fortune Records was a family operated, independent record label located in Detroit, Michigan from 1946 to 1995. The label owners were Jack and Devora Brown, their son Sheldon Brown recorded for the label...
, a Detroit record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
owned by Jack and Devora Brown. There he became label-mates with fellow Fortune stars Nolan Strong and Andre Williams
Andre Williams
Andre Williams is an American R&B and punk blues musician who started his career in the 1950s at Fortune Records in Detroit.-Biography:...
. Mayer would stay with the label for six years, recording a handful of records.
When Mayer was 18 years old he scored a Top 40 hit record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
in 1962 with "Village of Love," credited to Nathaniel Mayer and The Fabulous Twilights. It was originally released on Fortune Records
Fortune Records
Fortune Records was a family operated, independent record label located in Detroit, Michigan from 1946 to 1995. The label owners were Jack and Devora Brown, their son Sheldon Brown recorded for the label...
, who then leased the record to United Artists Records
United Artists Records
United Artists Records was a record label founded by Max E. Youngstein of United Artists in 1957 initially to distribute records of its movie soundtracks, though it soon branched out into recording music of a number of different genres.-History:...
for wider distribution.
Follow-ups such as "Leave Me Alone" (late '62) and "I Had A Dream" ('63) failed to duplicate the success of "Village of Love" (although both records, especially "Leave Me Alone," sold well regionally). In 1966, Mayer released "I Want Love and Affection (Not The House Of Correction)," a funky offering in the James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
vein. He then split with Fortune Records due to differences. http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=11858
Post Fortune Records
After Mayer’s Fortune Records days, his whereabouts were practically unknown and only ever confirmed by vague rumors for several decades. Though he did surface in 1980 to record the "Raise the Curtain High" 45 rpm. It would be the only release from Mayer between 1966 and 2002.Disappearing into the ghettos of East Detroit for the next two decades, rumors compounded, turning Mayer into a walking urban legend.
However, after Norton Records released "I Don't Want No Bald-Headed Woman Telling Me What to Do" in 2002 (a never before released recording from 1968), Mayer was inspired to record and perform again.http://www.ponderosastomp.com/music_more.php/38/Nathaniel+Mayer
Mayer staged a full fledged musical comeback in 2002. His once-sweet soul scream had deepened to a rasping growl, giving his latter albums a whole new feel. He played club
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s and festivals, gaining a new generation of fans with his exciting live shows. http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=11858
In 2004 Mayer returned to the studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
to record
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
I Just Want to Be Held for Fat Possum Records
Fat Possum Records
Fat Possum Records is an American independent record label based in Oxford, Mississippi. At first Fat Possum focused almost entirely on recording hitherto unknown Mississippi blues artists . Recently, Fat Possum has signed younger rock acts to its roster...
, a Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
label known mostly for releasing records by obscure bluesmen. In 2005 he toured with fellow Fat Possum artist The Black Keys
The Black Keys
The Black Keys are an American rock duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. The band was formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. As of October 2011, the band has sold over 2 million albums in the U.S....
. In 2006 Stardumb Records
Stardumb Records
Stardumb Records is an independent record label based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.-History:Stardumb Records started its operation in 2000. Their first release was a 7-inch by local band The Apers, and releases by similar pop punk bands inspired by the...
, a record label based out of the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, released a 7" single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
featuring three songs taken from the Fat Possum album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
.http://www.fatpossum.com/artists/mayer.html
Mayer's last sessions were released across two albums, 2007's Why Don't You Give It To Me? and 2009's Why Won't You Let Me Black?, both on Alive Records
Alive Records
Alive Naturalsound Records – also known simply as Alive Records – started in 1994 in Los Angeles, California, by Patrick Boissel, is an independent record label specializing in garage rock, punk blues, garage punk, psychedelic rock, power pop and blues-rock music. It grew out of Boissel's...
and featuring Dan Auerbach
Dan Auerbach
Daniel Quine Auerbach is an American musician. A multi-instrumentalist, he is best known as the guitarist and vocalist for The Black Keys, a blues rock band from Akron, Ohio. He is married to Stephanie Gonis, with whom he has a daughter, Sadie Little Auerbach, born in 2008.- Childhood and early...
of The Black Keys
The Black Keys
The Black Keys are an American rock duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. The band was formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. As of October 2011, the band has sold over 2 million albums in the U.S....
, Matthew Smith of Outrageous Cherry
Outrageous Cherry
-History:Outrageous Cherry formed in 1992 as a solo project for Matthew Smith, but soon expanded to a four-piece after he began performing live in 1993...
, Troy Gregory
Troy Gregory
Troy Gregory is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, filmmaker and solo artist. He is best-known for his work with The Dirtbombs, Prong, and The Witches.-Chronology:...
of The Dirtbombs
The Dirtbombs
The Dirtbombs are an American garage rock band based in Detroit, Michigan, notable for blending diverse influences such as punk rock and soul while featuring a dual bass guitar, dual drum and guitar lineup...
, and Dave Shettler of SSM
SSM
-Organisations:* Shattuck-Saint Mary's, a boarding school in Faribault, MN* Society of the Sacred Mission* Society of Saint Michael, a priestly fraternity of Anglo-Catholic bishops, priests, and deacons...
and The Sights
The Sights
The Sights are a rock and roll band from Detroit, Michigan, formed in 1998. Members include Eddie Baranek , Dave Tick Talkin Lawson , Gordon Smith and Skip Denomme . Former members include Mike Trombley, Mark Leahey, Nate Cavalieri, Matt Hatch, Bobby Emmett and Dave Knepp...
.
Today, Mayer's influence can be heard in multiple soul and garage bands. The Detroit Cobras
The Detroit Cobras
The Detroit Cobras are an American garage rock cover band from Detroit, Michigan, formed in 1994.-History:The Detroit Cobras signed with Sympathy for the Record Industry and released their first full-length album, Mink Rat or Rabbit, in 1998...
remade "Village of Love" in 1996. While "Leave Me Alone" was remade by The Hard Feelings and Holly Golightly
Holly Golightly
Holly Golightly is a British singer-songwriter. Her mother christened her after the protagonist in Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's. Her musical style ranges from garage rock to R&B.-Musical career:...
, Eve Monsees, The Exiles and the Gibson Brothers
Gibson Brothers
The Gibson Brothers are a France based musical group, who had their greatest success during the disco boom of the late 1970s. Their best known hit singles included "Cuba" and "Que Sera Mi Vida"....
have all recorded "I Had A Dream."
Death
Within a year after completing his first European tour, Mayer suffered multiple strokes. After months of hospitalization, Nathaniel Mayer died on November 1, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. http://www.examiner.com/x-930-Los-Angeles-Vinyl-Records-Examiner~y2008m11d3-RB-Legend-Nathaniel-Mayer-RIPAlbums
- Village of Love (1963, Fortune Records; CD is a 1996 compilationCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
with additional tracks, Gold Dust Records, ItalianItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
bootlegBootleg recordingA bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
import) - I Just Want to Be Held (2004, Fat Possum Records)
- "Anthology: I Want Love and Affection - 2xLP / CD digipack (2006, Vampisoul)
- Why Don't You Give It To Me? (2007, Alive-Naturalsound Records)
- Why Won't You Let Me Be Black? (2009, Alive-Naturalsound Records)
Singles
- "My Last Dance With You"/"My Little Darling" (1961) Fortune 542
- "Village Of Love"/"I Want A Woman" (1962) Fortune 545; United Artists 449
- "Leave Me Alone"/"Hurting Love" (1962) Fortune 547; United Artists 487
- "Mr. Santa Claus"/"Well, I've Got News" (1962) Fortune 550
- "Well, I've Got News"/"Work It Out" (1963) Fortune 550
- "I Had A Dream"/"I'm Not Gonna Cry" (1963) Fortune 554
- "Going Back To The Village Of Love"/"My Last Dance With You" (1963) Fortune 557
- "A Place I Know"/"Don't Come Back" (1964) Fortune 562
- "I Want Love and Affection (Not the House of Correction)"/"From Now On" (1966) Fortune 567
- "Raise The Curtain High"/"Super Boogie" (1980) Love Dog 101
- "I Don't Want No Bald Headed Woman Telling Me What To Do"/"I Don't Want No Bald Headed Woman Telling Me What To Do" (instrumental) (2002; recorded 1968) Norton 107
- "Ride In My 225"/"Mister Santa Claus" (live) (2005) Norton 126
- "I Found Out" (2006) Stardumb Records
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/nathanielmayer Official Nathaniel Mayer MySpace