Willie The Pimp

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the raw, electrifying cover of "Willie The Pimp" by Shaw Davis & The Black Ties from their 2018 album Tales from the West, and the Zoo Freaks are loving every riff. This track, originally by Frank Zappa from his 1969 album Hot Rats, gets a hard-hitting blues-rock makeover by the South Florida trio. One juicy piece of trivia comes from a Ink 19 review, which praises the band’s “stank-smeared smoker” of a cover, noting its Captain Beefheart-esque vocals that Zappa fans adore. The review highlights how the band’s heavy, riff-driven approach transforms the song into something that feels both reverent and rebellious, with a nod to Zappa’s quirky spirit. Another tidbit from Blues Magazine describes the song’s “ragfijn middenstuk” (fine middle section) where Shaw Davis lets loose with improvisational guitar wizardry, pulling listeners into a psychedelic blues vortex. The track’s placement as the second song on the album, right after the funky “Take My Hand,” was a deliberate choice to hook listeners with its gritty energy, as noted in a Rock and Blues Muse review.

Fans have also shared their love for this cover in live settings. A YouTube video from February 15, 2020, filmed in Deerfield Beach, FL, captures the band tearing through "Willie The Pimp" with Shaw’s searing guitar and Patrick Stevenson’s buzzing bassline. Comments on the video, credited to a fan named Natasha, rave about the band’s explosive stage presence, with one viewer calling it “mind-blowing” to see live. Amazon reviews of Tales from the West echo this, with one fan comparing the cover to Alex Harvey’s 1970s version but praising Shaw’s “solide Gitarrenarbeit” (solid guitar work) for standing out. Sounds of South adds that the band’s take is “mutig” (bold), with Davis’s clear yet gritty vocals and multiple guitar solos giving the song a radiant, almost psychedelic edge. The track’s heavy, sleazy groove, backed by Bobby Van Stone’s relentless drums, makes it a standout for Zoo Freaks who crave that raw, unpolished vibe.

Shaw Davis & The Black Ties started their journey in 2016 in Pompano Beach, Florida, when Shaw Davis, a guitarist with a fiery style rooted in Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Buddy Guy, teamed up with his longtime friend Bobby Van Stone on drums and Patrick Stevenson on bass. According to their Wikipedia bio, the trio quickly became a regional favorite, blending blues-rock with a hard rock edge that set them apart. Their self-titled debut album in 2017 showcased their big, swirling sound, earning them airplay on blues radio and a spot at the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Davis, who handles lead vocals and guitar, honed his craft through relentless gigging, and the band’s chemistry was evident from the start. By the time they released Tales from the West in 2018, they’d played over 300 shows, sharing stages with heavyweights like Samantha Fish, Foghat, and Blue Öyster Cult. Their bio on Apple Music notes that Davis’s intense guitar work and the band’s tight rhythm section made them a force in the American blues scene, with Tales from the West debuting at #20 on the Roots Music Report Blues Rock Chart.

You can keep up with Shaw Davis & The Black Ties on their official website, where they share tour dates and album updates. They’re active on Facebook, posting about live shows and fan interactions, and on Instagram, where they share behind-the-scenes photos and performance clips. Their X account is a great spot for real-time updates and fan chatter. For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with other fans, check out the Shaw Davis & The Black Ties Fan Group on Facebook, where supporters share concert experiences and discuss tracks like “Willie The Pimp.” While no dedicated fan websites were found, the band’s strong presence on platforms like Discogs and Last.fm offers more ways to dive into their music and legacy.