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His (Papa George’s) baritone, late nights and maybe a cigarette too many voice can shake tall buildings and his finger picked resonator guitars accompany and enhance his songs beautifully. His CDs are first class…you should definitely make the effort to get hold of one. Anglin Buttimore, sound engineer, commented on the very high quality of the songs, the production and music – just like his performance the night before. Come back soon George. - MAIN STAGE REVEIWS 30 June 2005
The stylish Papa George drew the Festival Fringe blues day into the early evening and demonstrated his skill and ability with the National Steel Guitar. The sound he produced was at times mesmerising and transformed the function room of the Lamb Inn into a Deep South Bottleneck blues bar. Joining Papa George was Alan Glen on harmonica. It was a mean combination and one that reflected both men’s passion for the genre. - Edited by Tony Goldsmith and James Harrison 5 June 2005
…"Dust my Broom" was about the most recognisable lyric but not done in the Elmore James guitar riff - so refreshing from others who imitate that opening and possibly most recognisable opening riffs in the classic Blues guitar annuls! No this was Papa talking now. "Dust my Broom" soon turned into a sort of medley with "Caledonia" and back into "Dust my Broom" coming in again at the end. Woven around this were superb solos by P.G. and lovely interspersions by Stroud and Kelly…
A spectacular evening. The band loved it by the look of things and the punters were ecstatic!
- Diane - Sister Feelgood, Blues Matters June 2005
The ABS presents a first-class Blues Festival featuring some of the greatest Blues artists in the world, including Eddie Kirkland, Bobby Rush, Bill Wharton, Delta Moon, . For the first time the 2004 Freedom Blues Festival will also feature a performance by Papa George, the top Blues slide guitarist from England. - Ken Winker, Apalachee Tortoise, Tallahassee (USA), January 2004
The British Papa George is playing for the first time at the Roots’n River Blues Festival and he is known as a passionate wizard of the difficult National reso-phonic guitar. - Janne Impio, Lapin Kansa, FINLAND 15 August 2003
“Very charismatic musician, wearing a white linen suit Papa George has an aristocratic and diabolic impact on people that immediately warmed up with his electric blues. His style is a combination of powerful voice and refined guitar playing and the Texas background, which is influencing and integrating the English rhythm’n’blues, was visible. In fact, he often slides to a seventies sound and the presence of Jimi Hendrix’s ghost is clear.” - Mauro Mazzocut "Messaggero Veneto" (National newspaper ITALIA) & www.musicologi.com September
“On his spirited acoustic album Being Free…ain’t no crime”, British blues picker Papa George displays a great feel and facility for Delta blues and rag-time. The finger-style guitarist totes his 1932 National steel to South Florida for a number of shows this week.” - Bob Weinberg, City Link, Florida (USA) April 2002
“For this evening’s theatre performance, Papa George and Ken Emerson were joined by one of the best rhythm sections in the business, namely Darby Todd on drums and Pete Stroud on bass. Many of the songs featured were from George’s acoustic album Being Free…ain’t no crime, including “The Station”, a thumping rock blues with bags of atmosphere. The first set was so full of passion and intense solos that five numbers lasted a full fifty minutes; thoroughly enjoyable!
As a change in mood George and Ken started the second set on steel resonator guitars, George on a Duolian and Ken on a Tricone. On “Mean Old Dallas” they showed their expertise on these wonderful instruments, then followed up with an acoustic version of “Cold Shot” with drums and acoustic bass.
- Bill Smith and Victoria Piper, blueprint, November 2001
The piece starts and finishes with a three part harmony slide guitar melody with Ken Emerson doing the fills. The first solo is Ken playing in a classic thirties style of jazzy “hot hula” licks. The second solo is Papa George playing in a bottleneck blues style with many Hawaiian overtones. The third solo is Michael Messer playing a chord solo in a thirties Sol Hoopi style…….Dave Burrlock was gainfully employed on rhythm guitar in a classic old style ‘boom chang’ fashion using a flatpick…..” - Michael Messer, Guitarist, March 2001
Discography
Papa Georges solo version of his self-penned Broken Mirror (Being Free aint no crime PG Solo CD) was selected for the Artists in Resonance CD, which forms part of the National Reso-phonic Guitars 2003/4 catalogue. Two songs (from DOWN AT THE STATION PGB) have attracted recognition: Blues With A Feeling was used as part of the soundtrack of World Without Waves, which won the Milagro Award for Best South-West Film, at the 2004 Santa Fe Film Festival and Moonshadows On Coconut Grove was included on a compilation album, A Place Called Hawaii 3, which won an Hawaiian Music Award for Best Compilation Album.
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Bio
Papa George is recognised as one of the top guitarists and vocalists on the British Blues Scene. Described as a mean axeman, he captivates his audiences playing Strat or bottleneck blues-style on Steel guitars with a vocal style that is delivered with conviction. Whether leading his band, performing solo, or as a duo, the consistent thread which runs through every performance is that distinctive Papa George signature sound.
Born in 1953, within a stones throw of Londons Tin Pan Alley, it isnt surprising that George was virtually born with a guitar in his hands. For over 30 years Papa has dedicated himself to playing live shows around the blues circuits/festivals of the UK, Europe and USA.
The Papa George Band has built up a solid reputation for its great musicianship. They mainly use original material and their improvisational skills are second to none. In their music there are clear elements of soul, gospel, rag, rock, jazz inspired by the likes of Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Johnny Winter, Stevie Wonder, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughn .
Paul Jones (BBC Radio 2) invited the PGB to record a selection of tracks from their recent CD, DOWN AT THE STATION (Pete Stroud: Bass/Sam Kelly: Drums). Since then, many tracks have been played on local BBC stations and also on international radio stations.
Pete Stroud plays fretless, fretted and acoustic bass. He has a melodic, rich, and smooth tone and is a very creative player. Pete also sings backing vocals. Toured with Peter Greens Splinter Group for 6 years. 2001 received Platinum Disc for Gordon Haskells major hit How Wonderful You Are.
Sam Kelly. Voted British Blues Connection Drummer of the Year for 5 consecutive years, Sam is highly regarded for his natural sense of time and vast use of rhythms. Sam has an extensive drum history in film and television. He also received Platinum Disc for Gordon Haskells major hit.
In solo mode Papa George demonstrates his ability on steel guitar and has the reputation of transforming a gig into a Deep South Bottleneck Blues Bar. His solo album, Being Free aint no crime features Hawaiian, Delta, Ragtime, plus some new renditions of PGB material.
Papas Guitars: Fender Stratocasters, Flying Finns, National Steels and an Amistar Stager. Amistar Resophonic Guitars recently endorsed him to flagship their new Duotone Tricone model.
NEWS, NEWS, NEWS
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PAPA GEORGE is the MAIN FEATURE in May/June issue of MUSIC MAKER magazine. Further details: www.tradmusic.com.
PAPA GEORGE HAS JUST RECORDED A NEW LIVE SOLO DVD AT THE RAM JAM CLUB, LONDON BOROUGH OF KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES (UK) FEATURING ALAN GLEN ON HARMONICA. IT WAS RECORDED ON 27TH-28TH APRIL 2006 AND WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER IN THE SUMMER.
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