Bill Wharton Sauce Boss: The Sauce

July 15, 2024

Bill Wharton

Sauce Boss: The Sauce

Swampside Records

Bill Wharton combines his love of cooking with his gutsy passion for guitar playing and singing. Wharton, who cooks gumbo while on stage for the audience to share, is simply combining the two things he loves best, playing music and cooking dinner. Known mostly for his live shows around Florida, he sells his Liquid Summer Hot Sauce while playing a rootsy mix of blues, classic R&B and rockabilly. Wharton recorded “Cookin'”, in 1992, for the Atlanta-based Ichiban label; and three albums for the Sanford Fl. based Kingsnake label, the last being 1996’s “Standing in the Fire”.

The first three songs on this new album are performed as a one-man band. “Little Rhythm and Blues” is an original, followed by “The Word” from the Beatles’ Lennon and McCartney. “Delta 9 Blues” sports the lyric “I’ve tried everything I know, just give me a reason and I’ll play a little something for my pride…until the day I die”. “Space Ocean” is a short sonic instrumental.

“Down By The Sea” is a tune played solo as Wharton finger-picks Hawaiian-style on his 1933 National Steel guitar “down by the sea, is where I will be”. “Stop Breaking Down” is the Robert Johnson classic, included are Neal Goree on 2nd guitar, and Brett Cook on drums, “when I’m walking down the street and a pretty girl walks by, I break down”. “Don’t Know How To Tell You” is another song performed as a one-man band.

“I Will Play for Gumbo” is a cover of a song by Jimmy Buffet, with Damon Fowler on 2nd guitar and lapsteel. I once saw Wharton perform at Earl’s Hideaway in Sebastian, FL. where my wife was asked to come up on stage and help Wharton stir his gumbo. “Lonely Crowd” is another original ballad with a beautiful vocal from Wharton.

“Gloria” is a cover of a song by Van Morrison. Wharton plays drums with his foot as Fowler is on lapsteel. “Let me tell you about my baby, she makes me feel so good, she makes me feel alright, G.L.O.R.I.A.

“Little Rhythm and Blues Reprise” is the song perfromed this time in a trio setting with Neal Goree, 2nd guitar, and Brett Cook, drums. The closer is another Wharton original, again with Fowler added on guitar and lapsteel “after all the haglin’ I will be here standing through every altercation”, sung by Wharton with a Bob Dylan styled vocal.

Throughout the recording Wharton sings soulfully. He suggests that by listening you could cure what ails you. Repeat as required, let the Sauce be with you.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

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