Papa George Band
Nite With You
Live, raunchy and ready, driving rock blues with a truck load of guitar riffs and strong vocals, plus, tight and solid rhythm section.
\"In 1996 the Papa George Band released their first Cd, “Nite With You”, (Pete Rees, bass & Paul Foss, drums) a live and vibrant recording, capturing the essence of the time. It was videoed, using a mobile studio and three tracks (black & white) films are on Youtube\".
PAPA GEORGE
Blues With A Feelin’
Internationally acclaimed bluesman Papa George is admired on the club scene as an extremely well respected musician. Over 30 years he has forged a reputation for stunning performances on the blues circuits and festivals, “Highly regarded, both here and in the US, and Europe, for the gritty passion of his voice and his finesse on the blues frets…” Paul Jones BBC Radio2
Recognised as one of the top guitarists and vocalists and described by THE TIMES as “a mean axeman”, he captivates audiences playing Fender Stratocaster, or bottleneck blues-style on Amistar and National Steel guitars, with a passionate vocal style delivered with absolute conviction. In March, 2007, at the Musik Messe, Frankfurt, “Amistar – fine resophonic guitars” presented the maestro with a beautifully engraved, “PAPA GEORGE CUSTOM” Vintage Model, which he also showcased at The London Guitar Show.
Papa George launched his first DVD “PAPA GEORGE LIVE AT THE RAM JAM featuring ALAN GLEN” in September 2007. It showcases 16 live tracks, including 9 originals and great interpretations of a choice collection of covers, many truly enhanced by Alan’s fine-tuned harp-playing.
The Papa George Band released their “DOWN AT THE STATION” CD in March 2005, at the Bull’s Head, Barnes with Pete Stroud on bass and Sam Kelly on drums plus other guests including, Marcus Malone and Val Cowell (backing vocals), Alan Glen (harmonica) and Roger Cotton (keyboards). It was more than jam-packed, there were even people listening from the garden and in the street! Tracks from this CD:
“Blackjack” reached the Blues Finals of the International Songwriting Competition, Nashville, TN 2005 - Out of 15000 entries from over 80 countries, and received “Honorary Mention” and “Cleansin’ My Soul” reached the Semi-Finals.
\"Blues With A Feeling\" was used as part of the soundtrack on \"World Without Waves\", which won the “Milagro Award” for Best South-West Film, 2004 Santa Fe Film Festival
\"Moonshadows On Coconut Grove\", covered by Grammy Award Winner, Ken Emerson, on his album “Hawaiian Hulas, Tangos and Blues”, was included on a compilation album, \"A Place Called Hawaii 3\", which won a 2004 Hawaiian Music Award, Best Compilation Album.
The Papa George Band has built up a solid reputation for their great musicianship. They mainly use original material and their improvisational skills are second to none.
The Papa George Band was formed in 1986. Bass players include Pete Rees and Pete Stroud Guest and drummers include Sam Kelly, Darby Todd, Geoff Dunn, Tom Compton and Charlie Morgan.
PGB Guest Appearances have included: Gary Moore, Freddie Mercury, Roger Chapman, Zoot Money, “Sir” Charles Atkins, Paul Jones, Pee Wee Ellis, Jimmy Thomas, Tony O’Malley, Bobby Tench, Gary Husband, Dana Gillespie, Elliot Randall, Geoff Whitehorn, Jon Lord, Micky Moody, Ian Paice, Ken Emerson, PP Arnold.
Recent Festivals include: Dr Martin Luther King Jnr Freedom Fest (USA), Mustique Blues 2007 (BVI), Bolzano Jazz (CH), National Theatre (London,UK), PUISTOBLUES (FIN), Arriola Blues & Jazz Festival (ESP), Blues & Soul (Sestri Levante, IT), Bushey’s Big Wheel Blues (IOM), Chelsea Blues (UK) Dobrofest (SK), Guiness Blues Fest (IRE), HELLBLUES (NOR), Kent Custom Bike Show (UK), Monaghan Blues (IRE), Mumbles Jazz & Blues (Wales, UK), Poggio Murella (IT), Pontremoli (IT), Pordenone (IT), Roots n River (FIN), Tra Fiune e Mare (IT), World Reso-phonic Association (CZ), Abbeyfest (Wimbledon UK), Barnstable Blues (Devon UK), IOW Folk & Blues (UK), LUGANO Blues & Bop (CH), Cricket St Thomas Blues Weekend (Somerset UK), Spring Blues Isle of Wight (UK) Bushey’s Big Wheel, Isle of Man (UK) Montecchio Blues Maggiore (IT) Beach & Blues Party, Pieksämäki (FIN) Big Blues Weekend, Isle of Wight (UK)
Papa George continues to work with a selection of duo partners, including Micky Moody, Zoot Money, Gary Moore, Steve Simpson, Ian Hunt and Ken Emerson, the various combinations, not only sound great, but they all produce different slants and individual concerts.
Whilst writing and developing new songs Papa had always played acoustically, he also harboured a strong desire to play solo on his National steel guitar. In 1999 he finally added Solo work to his repertoire and released “Being Free…ain’t no crime”, his first solo acoustic CD, in 2001. The track \"Broken Mirror\" was included on \"Artists in Resonance\" CD, National Reso-phonic Guitars 2003/4 catalogue. Also, in 2001 he represented GB at the Dobrofest, Slovakia (home of John Dopyera, who invented the National and Dobro reso-phonic guitars). He was fortunate to meet John Dopyera Jnr. personally and learn a little more about this incredible family and their inventions. He. also visited their “National” Museum where he saw blueprints, a range of res-phonic instruments and was exposed to a wider history.
In 1996 the Papa George Band released their first Cd, “Nite With You”, (Pete Rees, bass & Paul Foss, drums) a live and vibrant recording, capturing the essence of the time. It was videoed, using a mobile studio and three tracks (black & white) films are on Youtube.
Rock: British Blues