So my old mate, Baz, tells me "Last night at my blues club we had the Cadillac Kings -- a jump jive swing blues band" and that he really enjoyed them. So knowing what an aficionado of the blues Baz is I need no better recommendation to go finding some of their music. Baz, you was right.
Check out these guys, awesome don't quiet cover it.
BTW: this is the UK version of the Cadillac Kings, not to be confused with the band of the same name from Orlando, Florida or the countless car clubs across the USA using that name.
First up check out their recent single.
Betty Lou
The rockin' release from The Cadillac Kings - "Betty Lou" available on vinyl (that's right, we decided wax cylinders are on the way out!), and cd formats here
Featuring Mike Thomas on vocals, Gary Potts on harmonica, Henri Herbert on piano, Mal Barclay on guitar, Paul Cuff on doghouse bass and Roy Webber on drums.
Video brilliantly directed by Perrin Sledge; Camerawork by Faye.
Shot on location at The Soundhouse Studios
Lyrics and music by Mike Thomas
Recorded and mixed by Mal Barclay
8 Ball Jack
'B' side to Flathead single FR45001 "Betty Lou"
Of course this is the type of band that has to be seen live, brings out that "old blues with a feelin'" feeling. Awesome harp warning!!
The Spirit is willing (Pt 1)
T-Bone style blues from the CKs' first album "Lou Ann" (2001). Featuring a great harp solo (electric and acoustic) from Gary Potts. Video'd by Ken Peace at Worthenbury Village Hall, N. Wales.
Of course you got part one, did you think I would forget part two? No way!
The Spirit is willing (Pt 2)
From the very outset The Cadillac Kings became firm favourites on the blues and jump-jive scenes. With stunning musicianship and an exciting stage act, this band knows how to entertain audiences across the board, from arts centres to dance-halls, and from intimate clubs to major festivals, the length and breadth of the UK, Europe and Scandinavia.
The band formed in 2000, around London, from six experienced musicians, whose cvs included James Hunter, Otis Grand, Paul Lamb and Big Joe Louis. Six months later they released their debut cd ‘Lou Ann’. It was picked up right away by radio stations across the world and earned the band a ’finalist’ status in the 2001 USA Swing awards.
Amongst the line-up is the award winning harp player Gary Potts ("a harmonica great in the making" wrote US mag Blues Revue back in 2002). Gary’s awesome tone and power regularly position him in polls for the best UK harmonica player. He was the audience choice as top harp-player for 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Nottingham’s Wychwood Brewery music awards.
The other founder member of the band is vocalist and songwriter Mike Thomas, who writes nearly all the band’s material, combining the sounds and styles of ‘40s and ‘50s r ‘n’ b with an unerring 21st century wit. “Mike’s often hilarious lyrics are right up there with Rick Estrin and Louis Jordan” wrote blues journalist Ken Peace in his northwestblues blog.
