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Brand new video of Big Joe Louis shot at the Villa Belparc in Göteborg, Sweden can now be viewed here.
BIG JOE LOUIS AND HIS BLUES KINGS had their first LP issued at the beginning of May 1989 - selling out the first pressing after only four days in the shops. Veteran producer Mike Vernon said of the session:
"Working with Big Joe Louis And His Blues Kings was a real experience and one I would not have missed for the world. Take it from me - this is as tough as it gets this side of the pond!"
In 1992, a new Mike Vernon-produced CD and LP was issued on the Dutch Tramp label, reflecting the group’s increasing popularity in Europe. On the release of the new record, a sell-out concert was held at one of the premier music clubs in The Netherlands, Amsterdam's "Paradiso Club", and was filmed and recorded for a double live compilation CD released in June 1992. In autumn 1995, the band completed their third studio album with guests including (ex-Muddy Waters/Magic Slim guitarist) John Primer. The band have also recorded with Mississippi Delta Blues legend David "Honeyboy" Edwards and Big Joe Louis has recorded with Van Morrison and Jools Holland.
Big Joe Louis was born in Jamaica, West Indies, and moved to the UK during the 1970s. The Blues Kings were formed in 1986 and have taken their special kind of real downhome Blues to venues the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland and with great success on the European and Scandinavian festival and concert scene. A groundbreaking tour of Norway and Russia (filmed for Russian TV) in October 1993 brought blues to the north of Russia for the first time, and a recent trip to Bulgaria was enthusiastically received. Big Joe Louis And His Blues Kings have recorded sessions for BBC Radios 1, 2 and 4 and have appeared on BBC TV, RTE TV and Sky TV. Big Joe has been a guest on radio/TV shows in France, Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Sweden, Bulgaria and the UK, and his records have had airplay throughout the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, Canada and the USA. 1998 sees Big Joe Louis travelling as far afield as Finland and Las Vegas.
British Blues Awards:
BIG JOE LOUIS: Best Male Vocalist 1993, 1994
LITTLE GEORGE SUEREF: Best Harmonica Player 1995, 1997, 1998
Nominations:
BIG JOE LOUIS AND HIS BLUES KINGS: Best Band 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
LITTLE GEORGE SUEREF: Best Harmonica Player 1993, 1994, 1996
LITTLE GEORGE SUEREF: Best Male Vocalist 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
BIG JOE LOUIS: Best Guitarist 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
BIG JOE LOUIS: Best Male Vocalist 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
THE PRESS SAYS:
"The UK’s premier Blues outfit - the most powerful and authentic sounding blues album released by a home produced band in twenty years" Blues & Rhythm "This album is a triumph of British blues - no, blues in general - and I commend it to you as the best newly-recorded set I’ve heard in the ‘90s." Now Dig This "This must be the most authentic sounding blues album by a British band ever." Red Lick "...they have something very special that sets them apart from all others of their ilk." Juke Blues "Their performance was equal - if not superior - to anything their US counterparts have produced. The ensemble textures were authentically rich, the rhythm section uplifting and the solos - vocal and instrumental - impassioned." Manchester Evening News "They never cease to amaze me, playing wonderful authentic blues. They proved that they are the prime interpreters of classic Chicago-style blues this side of the Atlantic." Juke Blues "Jamaican Blues guitar supremo..." The Guardian "...one of the few white bluesmen whose voice can be compared with the black singers...and when I add his exceptional talent as a guitarist, you can understand my anticipation when I put this CD into my player...and I was not disappointed!" Soul Bag "...a timeless experience for anyone's eardrums..." Irish Times "They played an excellent set of downhome and Chicago blues, bags of tasteful slide and harp, and steered clear of obvious blues standards. Other UK bands should take note...The ovation given to the band was well deserved." Blues & Rhythm "The best band of the whole weekend, I repeat, THE BEST BAND OF THE WHOLE WEEKEND." Blueprint "...confirmed their reputation as Europe's premier exponents of 'fifties downhome and Chicago blues." Blues & Rhythm "...brought the house down..." Juke Blues "Excellent...wonderfully evocative...very exciting...impressive vocal and slide guitar work. Extremely popular and exciting band...well played music that people never fail to enjoy..." British Blues Review "Judging by the way they sound here, any forthcoming dates should be copiously attended. Go in your thousands, every one of you!" Folk Roots "Joe's Blues capture the flavour of the windy city's Blues...an authentic flavour, and indeed, fervour..." Black Echoes
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