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Nightless Lovers

Nightless Lovers, named eponymously after a Percy Mayfield tune, are dedicated only to performing Percy Mayfield’s tunes the way he recorded them in the 1950s.

“Percy Mayfield has been widely described as "the poet laureate of the blues." Armed with a dry baritone, songwriter and singer Mayfield sang blues ballads that pondered worlds of trouble, melancholy, pain, and suicide. He was one of the most creative songwriters and performers of California blues. He epitomized sadness in his songs and perhaps the lyrics of his own "My Blues" best explain his aesthetic: "Someone may ask the question, why are you so sad? / I would answer quite correctly, the blues is all I've had."

"I'm a poet, and my gift is love" explained Mayfield to an interviewer in Living Blues. Some of his themes dealt with subjects not generally associated with the blues. His biggest hit, "Please Send Me Someone to Love," was a prayer for understanding and peace of mind among all men. Mayfield's songs have been recorded by performers as diverse as Sade, Dale Evans, and Robert Nighthawk. As staff writer for Ray Charles, he wrote four top-ten hits, including Hit the Road Jack.”

Concerts at Tilley's

'Lost Love' CD launch

Saturday 23 July 2011 

Nightless Lovers, named eponymously after a Percy Mayfield tune, are dedicated only to performing Percy Mayfield’s tunes the way he recorded them in the 1950s.

The evening will be the launch of their CD "Lost Love". Featuring Tony Haley on vocals bringing new life to Mayfield’s own evocative lyrics and vocals. The Gripping Stuff Horn Section recreates the superb horn lines of that genius Maxwell Davis (why bother trying to improve perfection?). Leo Joseph on piano, Mitch Preston on drums and Phil Jenkins on bass hold the show down underneath.