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Papa George chatted to Pete Feenstra for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, first broadcast 27 February 2022.
Bandcamp [Release date 30.08.21]
‘These Wheels’ is Papa George’s first album for 15 years – an eternity in today’s digital download generation – but it’s been worth the wait.
And while it’s not quite a 5 star success, it gets pretty close. It’s an album that illustrates his song-writing ability, vocal prowess and musical spark, not least with an array of tonal inflections and strong arrangements that bring out the best in his power trio.
George been a staple on the London rock and blues scene since the mid 80’s, though his career stretches a good decade before that with his first band Taxi.
He’s carved out a well respected rock/blues niche, travelling the world and diversifying his longevity with a passion for Dobro playing.
His acoustic abilities are utilised sparingly here, purely in a supporting role on an album full of pulsating grooves, searing guitar and his trademark honey-dripped vocals.
He draws the listener into a seamless ride that flows from beginning to end.
The title track is the perfect metaphor for an album that rocks down the proverbial highway, while ‘Blackjack’ is a sumptuous groove that would surely make Doyle Bramhall II smile. It’s actually an old Papa George chestnut, given a new urgency by Val Cowell and daughter Jess Hayes fine bv’s. They flank George’s warm vocal perfectly, leaving just enough space for the first of several telling slide runs on an album that ripples with a wide range of tones.
Although slightly mixed back, ‘Blackjack’ morphs in an urgent gospel ‘call and response’ section which easily tops his previous 3 album and single versions.
There also plenty of contrast throughout the album which gives it a dynamic edge, as evidenced by a Robin Trower style tone on the mesmerising repeated hook and handclaps of ‘Heartache ‘N’ Pain’.
It’s also a good example of producer Dan Clarke attention to detail. George phrases eloquently and adds an imposing solo, as all the elements support the impressive whole.
And talking of tone, he teams up with former Fleetwood Mac slide master Jeremy Spencer and keyboard player Zoot Money on the dreamy ‘Love Won’t Die In Vain’. It’s a very Robert Cray sounding soulful groove and the perfect meeting of George’s expressive vocal and Spencer’s eerie guitar over a Money’s cool organ wash.
Had it been released back in the late 80’s it might have brought commercial reward, but as it is, it still provides one of several album highlights.
Papa George also has the ability to make his music resonate lyrical intent, especially on ‘Late In The Evening’ His uplifting solo over cooing bv’s is just perfect, while the shuffle beat of ‘Roll With Me’ – one of 2 co-writes with producer Dan Clarke – similarly fuses his lyrics and music.
His long time rhythm section of bassist Pete Stroud and drummer Darby Todd lay the perfect foundation alongside cool bv’s and a punchy hook. They subtly rack up a tension that is partially resolved by a scintillating slide break and repeated descending guitar line. It’s a track with real zest that “rolls” (pun intended) imperiously to the end.
The album is anchored just over the mid-way point by the early career Ian Hunt co-write ‘Heading South’. If ‘Roll With Me’ sweeps you up in its slipstream then this track is a trip down the same highway.
George employs a gnawing rhythmic tone to underpin his slide playing and fattens his own vocal with more celebratory bv’s.
It’s a classic song, but somehow loses a little zip on a curiously laid back mix, on which George exhorts his backing singers to help him pound his way to a big finish.
And as if taking the hint he ‘s all gruff and bluster on the ZZ Top influenced ‘Bad Boy’ and the riff driven ‘Missin’ You’.
The album flows neatly into the closing ‘Deep Blue’, which is an absolute gem.
His atmospheric sub-psychedelic ethereal notes are framed by a pulsating beat and layered sound. It’s suddenly ripped asunder by a Dobro break, a sinewy guitar line, handclaps and belated vocal line: “Cold heart, but the blood runs hot, make you lose your mind.”
It evolves into a thudding bass-led jam, filled with a caustic electric line and double tracked guitars on a beautifully produced track that provides a cathartic release to all that has gone before.
George pours everything he has into it, from tonal subtly and an exclamatory vocal to ripping solos and a feather light fade to capture the essence of what he is about.
15 years after his last album ‘These Wheels’ puts Papa George back in the driving seat with plenty of swagger. ****
Review by Pete Feenstra
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
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UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
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