Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames
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Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames

Chicago, Illinois, United States | MAJOR

Chicago, Illinois, United States | MAJOR
Band Blues Singer/Songwriter

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"Blues Review - Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames"

Approaching 60 years of age is nothing for Blues man Dave Weld. He's the definition of preserverance and poise. Inspired at a young age by Blues 78's, Weld was digging deeper into the Blues when his peers were buying up the British Blues boom albums by The Rolling Stones and John Mayall. Inspired by artists he listened to like Howlin' Wolf and Hound Dog Taylor, Dave Weld took off for Chicago and made it a point to settle in on the South side, where he would go on to play alongside many of his heroes for the next several years.

He sat at the foot of the learning tree of great slide man J.B. Hutto, became great friends with Hutto's nephews Lil' Ed and James Young, and helped them form Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials. They remain great friends today, although Dave Weld got Ed's blessing to start his own outfit in the late 80's.

Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames was born in 1988, and released their first album, Roughrockin' In Chicago. Lil' Ed joined the band on two separate occasions, and in 1996, went into the studio as an Imperial Flame to record Keep On Walkin' with the band. Lil' Ed went back to his own band, and legendary saxophonist Abb Locke filled the void.

Work began on Burnin' Love in 1999, but Dave Weld was forced to perservere once again when his mother became ill. Weld continued to work with the Imperial Flames, doing gigs and taking care of his family. Dave's mom surpassed all doctors' expectations, but ultimately passed away. Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames were galvanized as a solid unit when they returned to the studio for Burnin' Love, a decade after work had initially began.

The finished product is literally an inspired album. Every track on Burnin' Love, regardless of the author, was inspired by someone or something that has happened. Lil' Ed worked on this album with the Flames, handling rhythm guitar, as well as slide and vocals on "Ed's Boogie." The lone cover on Burnin' Love is a version of Dave's mentor, J.B. Hutto's "Things Are Slow."

Things start off with "Sweet Shiny Brown Eyes," which Dave Weld says in the liner notes he "wrote in 1988." There's some great call and response going with Weld's vocals and Abb Locke's saxophone. There's also a fantastic slide solo with sax in the middle that really turns the heat up.

Weld isn't the only songwriter on Burnin' Love. He penned five of the disc's 13 songs, and co-wrote "Ramblin'" and "Donnie Lee" with vocalist Monica Myhre. Myhre herself wrote "Talk Dirty" and "Listen To Mama." She also handles lead vocal duties on the tracks. Drummer Jeff Taylor contributed and sang on "I Got Mad" and "All of These Things."

"Ramblin'" is a great song that portrays the city of Chicago as a living, breathing being that is hard to escape, and keeps a lot of great folks from truly being recognized. "Burnin' Love" recalls old Rock 'N' Roll sides with its saxophone lines and firey guitar solos.

"I Got Mad" is a funny song about one of those mean ol' ladies. Funny in its writing only, though. It's a well played tune that will draw a smile across your face because of the pleasing tones just as much as its clever songwriting. Monica Myhre gets down on "Talk Dirty." She belts lyrics and shouts at times over a fantastic rhythm section on the track. The occasional guitar lick fans the flames (pardon the pun) on this burner. A standout track to be sure.

It's in this stretch of tracks (4 through 8) where Burnin' Love soars. "I Got Mad," "Talk Dirty," and "Donnie Lee," the tribute to Dave Weld's late mother, are some of the brightest moments on a great album. Weld pours it all out on "Donnie Lee," not only providing a tribute to his mom, but giving her a beautiful musical biography. Lil' Ed puts his stamp on Burnin' Love with the wonderful "Ed's Boogie," which just as easily could have been called Endless Boogie, because it's a track that you certainly don't want to end. At 3:11, "Ed's Boogie" clocks in as the disc's shortest track, but damn is it a good one.

That's not to imply that there are only a handful of great songs stuck in the middle of the CD surrounded by filler. No, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames keep their momentum up from start to finish on Burnin' Love, but this slice of the record really provides the best sonic glimpse of how fantastic this band is. Monica Myhre has a tribute to her own mother on Burnin' Love with "Listen To Mama." Speaking of tributes, Dave Weld pays tribute to mentor J.B. Hutto with a great take on "Things Are So Slow," the slow-tempo burner that a lot of us can identify with in these tough economic times. Things wrap up on Burnin' Love with "She's Lyin'."

Being a big fan of slide guitar, this album was a no brainer for me. I knew there was bound to be several tracks that I would enjoy. I was glad, though, listening to Burnin' Love that Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames turned in a fantastic record over all. Doing my research for this review, I got the impression that Dave Weld has done things the - Blues Under Ground


"Blues Review - Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames"

Approaching 60 years of age is nothing for Blues man Dave Weld. He's the definition of preserverance and poise. Inspired at a young age by Blues 78's, Weld was digging deeper into the Blues when his peers were buying up the British Blues boom albums by The Rolling Stones and John Mayall. Inspired by artists he listened to like Howlin' Wolf and Hound Dog Taylor, Dave Weld took off for Chicago and made it a point to settle in on the South side, where he would go on to play alongside many of his heroes for the next several years.

He sat at the foot of the learning tree of great slide man J.B. Hutto, became great friends with Hutto's nephews Lil' Ed and James Young, and helped them form Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials. They remain great friends today, although Dave Weld got Ed's blessing to start his own outfit in the late 80's.

Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames was born in 1988, and released their first album, Roughrockin' In Chicago. Lil' Ed joined the band on two separate occasions, and in 1996, went into the studio as an Imperial Flame to record Keep On Walkin' with the band. Lil' Ed went back to his own band, and legendary saxophonist Abb Locke filled the void.

Work began on Burnin' Love in 1999, but Dave Weld was forced to perservere once again when his mother became ill. Weld continued to work with the Imperial Flames, doing gigs and taking care of his family. Dave's mom surpassed all doctors' expectations, but ultimately passed away. Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames were galvanized as a solid unit when they returned to the studio for Burnin' Love, a decade after work had initially began.

The finished product is literally an inspired album. Every track on Burnin' Love, regardless of the author, was inspired by someone or something that has happened. Lil' Ed worked on this album with the Flames, handling rhythm guitar, as well as slide and vocals on "Ed's Boogie." The lone cover on Burnin' Love is a version of Dave's mentor, J.B. Hutto's "Things Are Slow."

Things start off with "Sweet Shiny Brown Eyes," which Dave Weld says in the liner notes he "wrote in 1988." There's some great call and response going with Weld's vocals and Abb Locke's saxophone. There's also a fantastic slide solo with sax in the middle that really turns the heat up.

Weld isn't the only songwriter on Burnin' Love. He penned five of the disc's 13 songs, and co-wrote "Ramblin'" and "Donnie Lee" with vocalist Monica Myhre. Myhre herself wrote "Talk Dirty" and "Listen To Mama." She also handles lead vocal duties on the tracks. Drummer Jeff Taylor contributed and sang on "I Got Mad" and "All of These Things."

"Ramblin'" is a great song that portrays the city of Chicago as a living, breathing being that is hard to escape, and keeps a lot of great folks from truly being recognized. "Burnin' Love" recalls old Rock 'N' Roll sides with its saxophone lines and firey guitar solos.

"I Got Mad" is a funny song about one of those mean ol' ladies. Funny in its writing only, though. It's a well played tune that will draw a smile across your face because of the pleasing tones just as much as its clever songwriting. Monica Myhre gets down on "Talk Dirty." She belts lyrics and shouts at times over a fantastic rhythm section on the track. The occasional guitar lick fans the flames (pardon the pun) on this burner. A standout track to be sure.

It's in this stretch of tracks (4 through 8) where Burnin' Love soars. "I Got Mad," "Talk Dirty," and "Donnie Lee," the tribute to Dave Weld's late mother, are some of the brightest moments on a great album. Weld pours it all out on "Donnie Lee," not only providing a tribute to his mom, but giving her a beautiful musical biography. Lil' Ed puts his stamp on Burnin' Love with the wonderful "Ed's Boogie," which just as easily could have been called Endless Boogie, because it's a track that you certainly don't want to end. At 3:11, "Ed's Boogie" clocks in as the disc's shortest track, but damn is it a good one.

That's not to imply that there are only a handful of great songs stuck in the middle of the CD surrounded by filler. No, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames keep their momentum up from start to finish on Burnin' Love, but this slice of the record really provides the best sonic glimpse of how fantastic this band is. Monica Myhre has a tribute to her own mother on Burnin' Love with "Listen To Mama." Speaking of tributes, Dave Weld pays tribute to mentor J.B. Hutto with a great take on "Things Are So Slow," the slow-tempo burner that a lot of us can identify with in these tough economic times. Things wrap up on Burnin' Love with "She's Lyin'."

Being a big fan of slide guitar, this album was a no brainer for me. I knew there was bound to be several tracks that I would enjoy. I was glad, though, listening to Burnin' Love that Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames turned in a fantastic record over all. Doing my research for this review, I got the impression that Dave Weld has done things the - Blues Under Ground


"Blues Review - Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames"

Approaching 60 years of age is nothing for Blues man Dave Weld. He's the definition of preserverance and poise. Inspired at a young age by Blues 78's, Weld was digging deeper into the Blues when his peers were buying up the British Blues boom albums by The Rolling Stones and John Mayall. Inspired by artists he listened to like Howlin' Wolf and Hound Dog Taylor, Dave Weld took off for Chicago and made it a point to settle in on the South side, where he would go on to play alongside many of his heroes for the next several years.

He sat at the foot of the learning tree of great slide man J.B. Hutto, became great friends with Hutto's nephews Lil' Ed and James Young, and helped them form Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials. They remain great friends today, although Dave Weld got Ed's blessing to start his own outfit in the late 80's.

Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames was born in 1988, and released their first album, Roughrockin' In Chicago. Lil' Ed joined the band on two separate occasions, and in 1996, went into the studio as an Imperial Flame to record Keep On Walkin' with the band. Lil' Ed went back to his own band, and legendary saxophonist Abb Locke filled the void.

Work began on Burnin' Love in 1999, but Dave Weld was forced to perservere once again when his mother became ill. Weld continued to work with the Imperial Flames, doing gigs and taking care of his family. Dave's mom surpassed all doctors' expectations, but ultimately passed away. Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames were galvanized as a solid unit when they returned to the studio for Burnin' Love, a decade after work had initially began.

The finished product is literally an inspired album. Every track on Burnin' Love, regardless of the author, was inspired by someone or something that has happened. Lil' Ed worked on this album with the Flames, handling rhythm guitar, as well as slide and vocals on "Ed's Boogie." The lone cover on Burnin' Love is a version of Dave's mentor, J.B. Hutto's "Things Are Slow."

Things start off with "Sweet Shiny Brown Eyes," which Dave Weld says in the liner notes he "wrote in 1988." There's some great call and response going with Weld's vocals and Abb Locke's saxophone. There's also a fantastic slide solo with sax in the middle that really turns the heat up.

Weld isn't the only songwriter on Burnin' Love. He penned five of the disc's 13 songs, and co-wrote "Ramblin'" and "Donnie Lee" with vocalist Monica Myhre. Myhre herself wrote "Talk Dirty" and "Listen To Mama." She also handles lead vocal duties on the tracks. Drummer Jeff Taylor contributed and sang on "I Got Mad" and "All of These Things."

"Ramblin'" is a great song that portrays the city of Chicago as a living, breathing being that is hard to escape, and keeps a lot of great folks from truly being recognized. "Burnin' Love" recalls old Rock 'N' Roll sides with its saxophone lines and firey guitar solos.

"I Got Mad" is a funny song about one of those mean ol' ladies. Funny in its writing only, though. It's a well played tune that will draw a smile across your face because of the pleasing tones just as much as its clever songwriting. Monica Myhre gets down on "Talk Dirty." She belts lyrics and shouts at times over a fantastic rhythm section on the track. The occasional guitar lick fans the flames (pardon the pun) on this burner. A standout track to be sure.

It's in this stretch of tracks (4 through 8) where Burnin' Love soars. "I Got Mad," "Talk Dirty," and "Donnie Lee," the tribute to Dave Weld's late mother, are some of the brightest moments on a great album. Weld pours it all out on "Donnie Lee," not only providing a tribute to his mom, but giving her a beautiful musical biography. Lil' Ed puts his stamp on Burnin' Love with the wonderful "Ed's Boogie," which just as easily could have been called Endless Boogie, because it's a track that you certainly don't want to end. At 3:11, "Ed's Boogie" clocks in as the disc's shortest track, but damn is it a good one.

That's not to imply that there are only a handful of great songs stuck in the middle of the CD surrounded by filler. No, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames keep their momentum up from start to finish on Burnin' Love, but this slice of the record really provides the best sonic glimpse of how fantastic this band is. Monica Myhre has a tribute to her own mother on Burnin' Love with "Listen To Mama." Speaking of tributes, Dave Weld pays tribute to mentor J.B. Hutto with a great take on "Things Are So Slow," the slow-tempo burner that a lot of us can identify with in these tough economic times. Things wrap up on Burnin' Love with "She's Lyin'."

Being a big fan of slide guitar, this album was a no brainer for me. I knew there was bound to be several tracks that I would enjoy. I was glad, though, listening to Burnin' Love that Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames turned in a fantastic record over all. Doing my research for this review, I got the impression that Dave Weld has done things the - Blues Under Ground


"Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames CD Review"

“Using a metal slide, the guitarist draws on lessons learned from the great JB Hutto, and makes his emanations of power and energy ever so purposeful…Abb Locke is a true Chicago Blues hero!!”… ”
Frank-John Hadely - Downbeat Magazine
- Downbeat Magazine - Writer Frank - John Hadely - October 2010 Issue


"Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames CD Review"

“Using a metal slide, the guitarist draws on lessons learned from the great JB Hutto, and makes his emanations of power and energy ever so purposeful…Abb Locke is a true Chicago Blues hero!!”… ”
Frank-John Hadely - Downbeat Magazine
- Downbeat Magazine - Writer Frank - John Hadely - October 2010 Issue


"Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames "Burnin' Love""

“On this CD, Weld returns as strong as ever as a songwriter and guitarist. He shows why, despite being less well known, he is one of the best practitioners of the Chicago Blues. This is Chicago Blues at it’s boogie best! …Abb Locke, who has played with everybody from Buddy Guy to Magic Sam ,blows a powerful solo… The sound is tight ...it is possible to imagine that it is a lifetime ago…playing for $5 a night and the glory of the blues. Dave Weld and Ed Williams are two distinct guitarists and songwriters. But together they are magic…we should thank the great Delmark label.. ”
Tom Callahan - Blurt-online
- Blurt-online Writer - Tom Callahan


"Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames: Burnin' Love (2010)"

“ he’s played gigs with J.B Hutto…Weld’s blues are as heartfelt and pure as that slide maestro’s… he’s not capable of turning out anything contrived. The jangling rhythm on “She’s mine” is life-affirming…”Ramblin” is, at the same time clean and dirty…tenor saxophonist Abb Locke delivers a solo…uptown and greasy…as Stanley Turrentine. Myhre’s voice has a telling element of sass…it’s a whole lot more than declaiming…she doesn’t have any of those irritating affectations…she gets the message across. He and his band hit the spot—which on the basis of “Burnin’ love”, is second nature to them. ”
- All-about-jazz Writer - Nic Jones


"Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames CD Review"

““The Chicago native slide guitarist, singer, songwriter, bandleader and JB Hutto protégé has spent most of his life playing countless gigs in divey bars, toiling in the trenches of the blues…displays the same earnest, honest, unvarnished approach that won my adoration when I saw him years ago…joyous romp through the many faces of the blues...danceable groove behind Dave’s relaxed tenor…Jeff Taylor shuffles like a mutha, keeps time like a watch…his smooth spot on vocal treatment remind me of classic Johnny guitar Watson…the nicest surprise is singer Monica Mhyre...”Talk dirty” with a kittenish growl, if you liked Lou Ann Barton give Monica listen…spot on intonation great phrasing and a dose of moxy…Dave’s tribute to his mother (Donnie Lee)..this is some deep blues…Lil’ Ed careens at breakneck speed, proceeds to light his guitar on fire… I can’t get enough of Monica…teardrops were falling from Dave’s guitar….Dave this was well worth the wait”…”

- Chicago Blues Guide - Writer - Liz Mandeville


"Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames CD Review"

““The Chicago native slide guitarist, singer, songwriter, bandleader and JB Hutto protégé has spent most of his life playing countless gigs in divey bars, toiling in the trenches of the blues…displays the same earnest, honest, unvarnished approach that won my adoration when I saw him years ago…joyous romp through the many faces of the blues...danceable groove behind Dave’s relaxed tenor…Jeff Taylor shuffles like a mutha, keeps time like a watch…his smooth spot on vocal treatment remind me of classic Johnny guitar Watson…the nicest surprise is singer Monica Mhyre...”Talk dirty” with a kittenish growl, if you liked Lou Ann Barton give Monica listen…spot on intonation great phrasing and a dose of moxy…Dave’s tribute to his mother (Donnie Lee)..this is some deep blues…Lil’ Ed careens at breakneck speed, proceeds to light his guitar on fire… I can’t get enough of Monica…teardrops were falling from Dave’s guitar….Dave this was well worth the wait”…”

- Chicago Blues Guide - Writer - Liz Mandeville


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

Winner of 2010 Rami Award for Best Blues Band

Dave Weld born in Chicago, he was first influenced as a child when he found an old Victrola in the basement and wore out the blues 78's. He moved to New Mexico, and studied guitar under Kurt Black, a jazz player who worked with Benny Carter, Grant in the NY jazz scene. Dave also met and jammed with Gatemouth Brown. Weld drawn back to Chicago after hearing Howlin Wolf on the radio and found that he was welcome on the West side of Chicago (black hood). He started sitting in at clubs and landed a gig with Hound Dog Taylor's band, Brewer Phillips,Ted Harvey, at Sweet Peas on 43rd St. Philips and Harvey had been working with JB Hutto after Hound Dog's death, and came back to Chicago after breaking off with JB in Boston. Weld then moved on to the 1815 Club on W. Roosevelt, which was owned and operated by Eddie Shaw who had Howlin Wolf's band, the Wolf Pack. Dave stayed there and played in the band with Chico Chism, Lafayette Gilbert, Hubert Sumlin, Detroit Junior, and Eddie Shaw. Dave played with Otis Rush, Maxwell St. Jimmy, Guitar Junior, Jew Town Burks, Doug Macdonald, Boston Blackie, Tail Dragger, Little Wolf, Big Bad Ben, Little Aurthur, Johnny Littlejohn and more. During this time Weld was under tutelage from JB Hutto, a Grammy awarded Blues Hall of Fame slide man from Georgia. He studied at JB's house and met Lil' Ed, and they started the Blues Imperials". Bruce Igauer from Alligator recorded them in a historic session "Roughousin'" and they started world tours. Dave started "Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames" in 1988 and they came out with their first CD "Roughrockin' in Chicago", on Parsifal Records in Belgium, the second time they recorded for Earwig Music, "Keep on Walkin'", and the band again went overseas. The current band is Abb Locke, legndary sax man, Jeff Taylor, Monica (Garcia) Myhre and Dave Kaye who is now signed with Delmark Records with a new CD "Burnin Love".

Abb Locke is one of the most legendary saxmen of the blues, born in Cottonplant, Arkansas. Picked cotton as a young boy but had a dream to play the sax. He struggled throughout his childhood, living on his own and working his way to fullfill his dream. He came from the cotton fields to Carnegie Hall. This came true when he played with Albert Collins. He has recorded and worked with Buddy Guy (see the Chess box set), Willie Mabon. Earl Hooker, Albert Collins, Koko Taylor, Magic Sam, Eddie Clearwater, Lonnie Brooks, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Howlin Wolf (three or four years in the band and Abb is featured in Wolf's new biography), the Rolling Stones, and many more.

Jeff Taylor (Drums/Vocals)is well known and well respected. Born in 1960 in Chicago, IL. They say he came out singin'. At 11 he joined the "Little Angels" group to sing and after that he sang and played drums for Top Hat, who vouched for Jeff to get him into clubs to work at that young age, and they worked the South and West side of Chicago, and had a standing job at The Sabre Room, where Jeff met and played with Dizzy Gilespie, Cab Caloway, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Count Basie and Tony Bennet. He then freelanced strating with Smilin Bobby, Tyrone Davis, the Dells, the Chilites, Lonnie Brooks, AC Reed, Eddy Clearwater, Artie White, Junior Wells, and more. Jef and Dave do a duo where Jeff sings the bass lines so they can sound like a three piece band. He was with the band for four years then joined the Rythm and Blues Kings for three, then back with Dave for six years.

Monica Garcia (Mona Rose) Musician (piano/harp) songwriter, learned to sing and dance as a child performer in the Hidalgo Club in Rockford, IL from the age of six through her teens, backing up stars from Mexico, and fronting local jazz musicians. Her family training, church choir, led her to numerous bands from Mexican, R&B, Funk, Rock and Blues. She was a member of very active in the Blues community giving. Among the co-founders of the Blues in The Schools program in Rockford, organizing several benefits for musicians and families. She was a vocalist/piano with the group Art Attack, 2001 Rami winner for Funk/R&B. Met Dave Weld in 2002 and formed a friendship which lead to her singing the blues with his band. Co-writing many songs with Dave Weld , such as "Ramblin" "Donnie Lee"and her own originals, "Listen to Mama", "Talk Dirty". She completes the band package with diva blues and harmony.