The Booze Brothers

Infobox Album
Name = the booze brothers
Type = Album
Artist = Brewers Droop


Released = 1989
Recorded = 1973
Genre = Blues, Rock
Length =
Label = Red Lightnin'
Producer = Dave Edmunds, Kingsley Ward and Alimony Slim
Reviews =
Last album =
This album =
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the booze brothers, "featuring Mark Knofler & Dave Edmunds", is the second album released by Brewers Droop, an English blues band. Although most of the tracks were recorded back in 1973 the album was only released in 1989 when it was discovered that the album had involved the renowned producer/rocker Dave Edmunds and the line-up had included Pick Withers and Mark Knopfler, later of Dire Straits. [The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, ISBN 0851129396] Ron Watts, the founder of the band, became much better known later in the '70s as a punk rock promoter at venues such as 100 Club. Steve Darrington continued as a professional musician, appearing on over 50 albums, and is the organizer of the [http://www.swanage-blues.org/ Swanage Blues Festival] .

Soon after this recording the band had all gone their own way and, despite the optimistic note of the album notes, there will never be a resurrection of this lineup. It is an interesting footnote in the career of the participants and, for better or worse, an indication of their potental.

Track List

#Where Are You Tonight
#Roller Coaster
#You Make Me Feel So Good
#My Old Lady [http://www.boozebetter.com]
#Sugar Baby
#Rock Steady Woman
#Louise
#What's The Time
#Midnight Special
#Dreaming

Musicians

:Alimony Slim - Vocals, Guitar:Steve Darrington - Accordion, Organ, Saxophone, Mellotron, Clarinet, Piano, Background Vocals.:Derrick Timms - Bass:Gerry Hogan - Pedal Steel :Bobby O'Walker - Drums:Pick Withers - Drums, Spoons:Ron Watts - Vocals:Mark Knopfler - Guitar :Steve Norchi - Bass:Dave Edmunds - Harp, Banjo, Double Bass, Background Vocals

Recording

Recorded somewhere in Wales, a long time ago.
1, 3, 6, Produced by Kingsley Ward and Alimony Slim
2, 9, 10, Produced by Dave Edmunds
4, 5, 8, Produced by Kingsley Ward
7, Produced by Dave Edmunds and Kingsley Ward

Liner notes

The Droop began in the late sixties with Big Ron and various other players being dragged out of the pub in High Wycombe area and forced to play. In 1971 the situation became serious and they became one of the hardest gigging bands in the country and unable to spend much tme in the pub.

An album was released which reflected which reflected the live stage act and enjoyed some commercial success, but circa 1973 times changed and new men arrived in the band.

At an audition in the Nags Head, High Wycombe, one man turned up with a red Gibson guitar, a flat hat and a northern accent. He plugged his axe in and immediately made a great impression. The job was proffered without haste and the deal struck over a round or three of beers. Mark Knopfler was now in the band!

Around this time the Droop were in the middle of recording some tracks in the middle of nowhere, that being the only place that would tolerate them. the very same tracks were done with Mark and a new bass player - Steve Norchi, with production help from Dave Edmunds. Some of these tracks are featured on this album.

Brewers Droop began as a good rocking Cajun band and progressed to what you hear on this disc. They are today set to rise again from the pub, sorry the shadows - so watch out, but meanwhile listen and enjoy this record and hear the fledgling Mark Knopfler cultivate the sound that was to make Dire Straits a world-wide success story.

References

http://www.boozebetter.com

External links

* [http://www.redlightnin.com/ Red Lightnin', Record Company]
* [http://www.stevedarrington.com/music.htm Steve Darrington, Homepage]
* [http://www.swanage-blues.org/ Swanage Blues Festival]